10 Books About Juneteenth
Freedom, fireworks, and fabulous stories, oh my!
Juneteenth isn’t just a date on the calendar it’s a celebration bursting with joy, history, resilience, and seriously good reads. Whether you’re new to Juneteenth or you’ve been lighting up the grill and waving the red, black, and green for years, there’s always something new to learn and feel through a good book. From powerful picture books that help kids understand freedom in full colour, to gripping historical tales that honour the long road to liberation we’ve rounded up some incredible stories that keep the spirit of Juneteenth shining bright.
So grab your lemonade, find a shady spot, and let’s turn the page on freedom, family, and the beauty of telling all stories loud and proud.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- The Juneteenth Story
- The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story
- Opal Lee: And What it Means to be Free
- Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise
- Juneteenth for Mazie
- The Juneteenth Cook book Recipes and Activities
- All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
- Juneteenth Is
- All Good in the Hood
- The Juneteenth Alphabet
The Juneteenth Story
This is a beautiful, kid friendly book that brings the history of Juneteenth to life. With vibrant illustrations by Sawyer Cloud, it explains why June 19, 1865, was such an important day as it was the day enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The book also traces how Juneteenth grew from “Jubilee Day” to becoming a federal holiday in 2021, making history feel alive and connected to today. It’s written in a way that’s easy for kids to understand, and the colorful visuals keep them engaged while learning about an important part of American history.
It’s perfect for classrooms, libraries, or reading at home. Not only does it teach kids about freedom and equality, but it also sparks conversations about how history connects to the present, and why it matters.
The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story
This is a really fun and heartfelt picture book that brings Juneteenth to life for young readers. Written in a rhyming, rhythmic style that reminds you a bit of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, it follows eight year old David and his family as they gather at Grandma’s house in Galveston, Texas, to celebrate Juneteenth. Through Grandma’s stories, kids learn about her grandmother, Mom Bess, who was six years old during the first Juneteenth in 1865.
The illustrations by Corey Barksdale are bright, bold, and full of emotion, capturing the excitement, joy, and significance of learning about freedom. The story isn’t just about history it’s about family, heritage, and the spirit of celebration that makes Juneteenth so special.
Perfect for kids aged 4 to 8, this book is a wonderful way to teach little ones about an important part of American history while sharing a fun, memorable story they’ll want to read again and again.
Opal Lee: And What it Means to be Free
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free is a beautifully tender picture book that introduces young readers (ages 4 to8) to Opal Lee, a real life activist affectionately known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” Alice Faye Duncan weaves an inspiring tale about Opal’s lifelong mission to make Juneteenth a celebration of freedom, into a holiday recognized by all Americans .
The story opens with the joy and rhythm of a Juneteenth picnic with drums, dance, and delicious food, before taking a deeper turn. It shares how, as a child, Opal learned of freedom finally reaching Texas in 1865, but also faced trauma, when a mob destroyed her home. Rather than surrender to fear, this moment fuelled her to use her voice and her feet, literally by walking cross country to demand Juneteenth become a national holiday .
The narrative is framed with a warm, oral history vibe as Opal recounts her memories to her great grandson and other children, gently reminding readers that Juneteenth is bigger than Texas, singing, or dancing bands. “Juneteenth is freedom rising and freedom is for everyone” . Keturah A. Bobo’s illustrations are expressive and soulful, filling the pages with unity and emotion .
What makes this book really shine is how it balances beautiful storytelling with truth, showing the struggles of history alongside the joy of community and activism. It also includes a Juneteenth timeline, a biography of Opal, a strawberry lemonade recipe for symbolic red punch, and more, which makes it as educational and unforgettable .
Jayylen's Juneteenth Surprise
This sweet Little Golden Book introduces Juneteenth in a way that’s fun, musical, and totally kid friendly. The story follows Jayylen, a curious little boy who’s helping his grandpa (Paw Paw Jimmy) get ready for their big Juneteenth celebration. When Jayylen asks what Juneteenth is all about, his family explains how it marks the day enslaved African Americans in Texas finally learned they were free.
To make things extra special, Paw Paw teaches Jayylen how to play the frottoir, a zydeco style washboard so he can add some rhythm to the celebration. Jayylen practices every day, determined to surprise everyone with his music, but he’s also got another little surprise up his sleeve.
With its colourful illustrations and warm family vibe, this book is a perfect way to introduce little ones (ages 2 to 5) to Juneteenth. It’s joyful, musical, and full of heart which is exactly the kind of story that makes kids excited to learn about history while celebrating it at the same time.
Juneteenth for Mazie
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper is a touching and powerful story that helps children understand freedom, resilience, and why Juneteenth matters.
Mazie’s tired of being told “no,” but when her dad shares the story of their ancestors’ freedom, she learns that real courage comes from patience, pride, and remembering where you come from. With beautiful illustrations and an inspiring message, this book helps young readers connect history to their own lives and reminds every child that freedom is something to celebrate and protect.
The Juneteenth Cookbook: Recipes and Activities
The Juneteenth Cookbook by Alliah L. Agostini, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud and with recipes by Chef Taffy Elrod, is a vibrant celebration you can taste, make, and share! Packed with delicious dishes like red velvet cake, barbecue bites, and fun crafts, this book turns Juneteenth into a hands on family experience.
Kids learn the history behind the holiday while cooking up traditions that honour freedom and community.
The big benefit?
It helps families bond, learn culture through food, and make every meal a joyful history lesson!
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis, beautifully captures the moment freedom was announced to the last enslaved people in Texas.
Told through the eyes of a young girl, this poetic story lets readers feel what freedom sounded like, looked like, and meant for families across generations.
With stunning watercolour art, it turns history into a deeply human moment kids can understand.
The key benefit?
It helps readers see Juneteenth not just as a date, but as the day everything changed, inspiring gratitude, reflection, and hope.
Juneteenth Is
Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett, illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien, is a joyful, rhythmic celebration of freedom, family, and culture!
Through vibrant words and lively art, readers join a community filled with music, dancing, and delicious food as they honour a powerful history. This book captures the spirit of Juneteenths past, present, and future, in a way that kids can feel and understand.
The key benefit?
It teaches young readers how joy and remembrance can live side by side, showing that celebrating freedom is both a tribute and a promise for generations to come.
All Good in the Hood
All Good in the Hood by Dwayne Reed, illustrated by Gladys Jose, is a fun, upbeat story about two brothers hitting a neighbourhood block party full of music, food, and community vibes!
When little brother worries about the noisy crowds, big brother shows him that their hood is full of love, rhythm, and togetherness. Told in a catchy rhyme by YouTube’s “Rapping Teacher,” this book celebrates family, confidence, and the beauty of Black joy.
Key fact: Written by real life educator and rapper Dwayne Reed, it helps kids see their neighbourhoods as places of pride and belonging, where it truly is all good in the hood.
The Juneteenth Alphabet
The Juneteenth Alphabet by Andrea Underwood Petifer, illustrated by Ana Latese, is a colourful A-to-Z celebration of freedom, culture, and Black history! Each letter teaches kids about important people, traditions, and symbols connected to Juneteenth, like F for Freedom and J for Joy showcasing bold, vibrant art and easy to understand rhymes, it turns learning into a fun and powerful journey through heritage and hope.
Key fact: This book helps children build both their vocabulary and their cultural awareness, making it a perfect educational tool for classrooms, libraries, and families celebrating Juneteenth together.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it a stack of stories worthy of a Juneteenth parade float! These books don’t just teach history; they sing it, dance it, and remind us that freedom is something to celebrate, protect, and pass on. Whether you’re reading under the fireworks, around the dinner table, or cosied up with the kids before bed, each page is a chance to remember how far we’ve come and how bright the future can be when we keep telling these stories.
So go ahead and grab one (or three), share them with your crew, and let the spirit of Juneteenth fill your bookshelf and your heart.