Black books galore! Continues to build bridges to African American literature

As a little girl growing up in a small town in upstate New York, I never experienced the joy of reading children's books by African American writers. The books I was exposed to featured characters with blond or brown hair and blue eyes with names like Dick, Jane, and Sally. But thanks to Black Books Galore!, my two sons and literally thousands of other children of color can choose from a rich assortment of books by African American writers and illustrators -- books that include characters and storylines that reflect the totality of the black experience. They can delve into books about the adventures of black cowboys, read African folktales and legends, or peruse books that educate them about slavery in America. They can further indulge in biographies of modern sports heroes and unsung heroes of the past, and revel in tales of everyday life in a South African township.

Black Books Galore!, a children's book service based in Stamford, Conn., is run by Toni Trent Parker, an energetic mother of three, fervent book lover, and is a medium for children to experience the joys of literature for and about them. As president of Black Books Galore!, Parker arranges festivals three times a year that draw thousands of children of all ages, along with parents, grandparents, teachers, and entire communities gathered together to celebrate children's books. Black Books Galore! is dedicated to identifying and distributing fine African American children's literature. "There's such a wealth of rich literature in African American children's books and I want kids, both black and white, to be exposed to this treasure trove of literature. That's what keeps me going," Parker enthuses.

At each festival, BBG! sells 300 to 500 titles of every description. Admission is always free and the festivals are held on a Saturday or Sunday so that the entire day can be dedicated to the enjoyment of books. This year's festival took place April 24 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. Celebrities such as Doug E. Doug ("Cosby"), Buck Williams (Former New York Knick), and Teresa Weatherspoon (WNBA, New York Liberty) were on hand to spin tales for the children, as well as authors and illustrators Yvonne Buchanan, Gavin Curtis, Leo & Diane Dillon, Patricia Hinds, Wade & Cheryl Hudson, Andrea & Brian Pinkney, and James Ransome. This was the first BBG! festival to be sponsored by leading children's book publishers, and partial proceeds will benefit Harlem Reads, Harlem Writes, a program that promotes literacy in the community.

Black Books Galore! was created seven years ago by a trio of concerned mothers, Parker, Sheila Foster, and Donna Rand, who were frustrated in their search for books for their children that depicted persons of color. With little business acumen but a firm passion for connecting books and kids, the moms organized book fairs for area schools, churches, and community centers. Since the inception of BBG!, they've coordinated festivals in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., always inviting celebrities to read and authors to sign books. BBG! helps children see that books can be fun and entertaining as well as educational. Today Parker runs the store solo and wants kids to think, "If he can write a book, or if she can do illustrations, so can I."

Parker herself is the author of Black Books Galore! Guide to Great African American Children's Books (Published fall 1998 by John Wiley & Sons. Compiled by Parker, Foster, and Rand). The book is a natural offshoot of the festivals, and features a listing of 700 recommended books for children of all ages.

After nearly a decade of involvement with the festivals, Parker has spotted several positive trends such as picture books featuring historical events like The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles (Scholastic, 1995). And she likes books like The Day Gogo Went to Vote by Elinor Batezat Sisulu (Little, Brown, 1996) because they educate children while entertaining them. Another book she finds trendsetting and instructive is White Socks Only by Evelyn Coleman (Albert Whitman, 1996). Parker is also excited by picture books that feature less prominent African American heroes like Richard Wright, Benjamin Banneker, and Zora Neale Hurston. "We have lots of children's biographies of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman, but we need to also teach our children about the other legends," she points out.

This year Parker will introduce BBG! to cyberspace when her Web site (www.blackbooksgalore.com) is unveiled at the end of May. In addition to featuring a broad list of children's books that can be purchased online, Parker will provide information on BBG! and its schedule of events and activities. She also plans to include a unique slide show presentation on the Web.

As she continues to build on the BBG! brand name, Parker has several ideas for the future -- from BBG! videotapes of author readings to a BBG! wall calendar spotlighting a book a month for display in homes, schools, community centers, or even church bulletin boards.

One thing is certain: the opportunities are endless, as is Parker's energy, enthusiasm, and passion for children's books. And even though planning and hosting the BBG! festivals involves a considerable amount of work, Parker wants folks to know that above all, "It's fun...I truly enjoy it and I know BBG! is having an impact on the kids."

Photograph (Toni Parker reads to her niece)