Hey family,
Welcome to the MetaCocoMom corner of the internet! A special hello to all the new faces who may have found us through Nextdoor. I’m so glad you’re here.
As we all settle into the rhythm of a new school year, we’re thinking about routines, schedules, and learning. One of the most powerful routines we can build with our young people is daily reading. But what we read matters just as much as the act of reading itself.
This month, I want to share a few books that can serve as a foundation for the entire school year. The goal here is simple: to offer a resource for any family wanting to fill in the educational gaps and help their children understand the rich, complex history that shapes our world. This isn’t about guilt or shade; it’s about providing tools for understanding and connection.
Let’s start with the cornerstone.
The Foundational Text: Start Here
The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer
No matter what you’ve taught or haven’t taught your child before, this book is the perfect place to start. It’s an introduction, a review, and a celebration all in one. It brilliantly takes the alphabet—a format every child knows—and uses it to open up conversations about significant people, places, and movements in Black American history. It’s the perfect springboard for understanding why our society looks the way it does today.
MetaCocoMom AFROP Rating:
- A (Active Brains): High. Every letter is a doorway. “C is for Community,” “J is for Juneteenth,” “Z is for Zenith.” It sparks endless questions and encourages curiosity.
- F (Focused Art): High. The illustrations are vibrant, powerful, and absolutely a form of Afrofuturism, showing Black people in all their strength and beauty, connecting past, present, and future.
- R (Real Experiences): High. This book grounds history in real people and tangible events, making abstract concepts accessible.
- O (Opportunities): High. Use each page as a jumping-off point. You can spend a whole week just exploring the person or idea presented on a single page.
- P (Practicalities): Low cost for immense value. It’s a quick read that you can (and should) return to all year long.
From History to Heart: The Power of Folklore
The ABCs of Black History provides the “who” and “what,” which is a perfect segue into folklore. Folklore and trickster tales teach us the “why”—they are the stories that reveal what a culture values. They explore morality, wit, community, and justice in ways that are timeless and engaging for all ages.
Here are a few essential folklore books to add to your library this month.
Folklore for the Family
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe
This classic, based on a folktale from Zimbabwe, is a stunningly illustrated story about two sisters, one kind and one selfish, who journey to meet the king. It’s a powerful lesson in character, kindness, and inner beauty.
MetaCocoMom AFROP Rating:
- A (Active Brains): Explores themes of character, consequences, and recognizing value beyond the surface.
- F (Focused Art): The art is iconic, rooted in African flora and design. It creates a world that is regal, lush, and unapologetically beautiful.
- R (Real Experiences): Immerses the reader in a specific cultural setting and a timeless moral dilemma.
- O (Opportunities): Opens up conversations about how we treat others and what qualities we truly value.
- P (Practicalities): A classic for a reason. Readily available at libraries and bookstores.
Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti by Gerald McDermott
Meet Anansi, one of the most important trickster figures from West African folklore. In this tale, Anansi’s six sons use their unique skills to save him from trouble. It’s a wonderful story about family, cooperation, and cleverness.
MetaCocoMom AFROP Rating:
- A (Active Brains): Trickster tales are fantastic for critical thinking. How did Anansi get the stories? How did his sons work together?
- F (Focused Art): The bold, graphic art style is based on Ashanti design and is incredibly captivating for young readers.
- R (Real Experiences): Connects readers to a storytelling tradition that has spanned oceans and generations.
- O (Opportunities): A great entry point to the wider world of Anansi tales and discussions on problem-solving.
- P (Practicalities): A quick, engaging read perfect for bedtime.
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest by Gerald McDermott & Trickster: Native American Tales, a Graphic Collection by Matt Dembicki, et al.
It’s crucial to understand that trickster figures are part of many cultures. Expanding our bookshelf to include Indigenous stories helps our children see connections and appreciate the diverse storytelling traditions of this land. Raven is a classic tale of how light was brought to the world, while the Trickster graphic novel collection introduces figures like Coyote and Rabbit from various Native American traditions.
MetaCocoMom AFROP Rating:
- A (Active Brains): High. Comparing different trickster figures (Anansi vs. Raven vs. Coyote) is an excellent exercise in critical thought. The graphic novel format also builds visual literacy skills.
- F (Focused Art): The art in both is stylized and intentional. Trickster is especially notable as it features the work of many different Native artists, each bringing their unique vision.
- R (Real Experiences): Provides a vital window into Indigenous worldviews and values.
- O (Opportunities): A chance to explore the history and culture of the land we live on and to discuss the universality of stories.
- P (Practicalities): Graphic novels are fantastic for engaging reluctant readers.
Happy reading, and I hope these stories bring rich conversations into your home.
What foundational books are on your family’s shelf this school year? Let me know in the comments!
-MetaCocoMom
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