Nana Camille Yarbrough books below.

 

Cornrows
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Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; 1 edition (January 27, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0698114361
ISBN-13: 978-0698114364
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 9.7 x 0.2 inches

illustrated by Carole Byard
Originally Published in 1979 by Coward, McCann & Geoghegan , Inc

A Coretta Scott King Award Winner
Mama's and Great - Grammaw's gentle fingers weave the design, and their lulling voices weave the tale, as they braid their children's hair into the striking cornrow patterns of Africa.

"A jubilant celebration of black culture ... with absolutely marvelous drawings." -Publishers Weekly

"This book is a Gem! Camille Yarbrough captures the warmth of family affection and the pride of our rich heritage in a story that's superbly illustrated by Carole Byard." -Essence

 

The Shimmershine Queens
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Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (June 18, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0698113691
ISBN-13: 978-0698113695
Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches

"A remarkable story about self-esteem and achievement" -- Publishers Weekly

"A brave Book" -- Booklist

Angie and Michelle are best friends, facing the very real problems of growing up in a tough inner-city neighborhood where it's sometimes not considered "cool," or even safe, to be smart or to have kinky hair and dark skin. That is until 90-year-old Cousin Seatta comes to visit and teaches Angie and Michelle about the shimmershine feeling, that good feeling and pride which people have for their racial heritage and physical features.

 

The Little Tree Growing in the Shade
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Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (February 7, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399212043
ISBN-13: 978-0399212048
Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches

A history of the African-American spiritual and its unique cultural significance discusses the origins of these songs in the music of slaves who used the songs as expressions of hope, fear, sorrow, and freedom. By the author of Cornrows.

Illustrated by Tyrone Geter. With the skill of a weaver, Yarbrough has woven the variegated threads of African-American history into a memorable story for young readers that speaks of the rich of the Africans brought in captivity to America.  It tells of a people who "refuse[d] to die small," symbolized by the shade-covered small tree that grew against all odds. Then there is the story of the Negro spirituals, the sounds of praise and solace and cleverly disguised coded messages of plans for escape - the music form academically called the root of rhythm and blues. The narration further describes the unbroken thread of civil rights leaders across the years and their tireless quest for freedom. Selecting a warm family gathering at a concert in the park as the background, Yarbrough's informative text is filled with a rhythmic use of language - poetic, alliterative, onomatopoeic - that begs to be read aloud.  Geter's black-and-white sketches capture the many moods of the text - celebration, religious fervor, and family love.
-- Henrietta M. Smith

Tamika & the Wisdom Rings
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Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 71 pages
Publisher: Just Us Books (October 30, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 094097567X
ISBN-13: 978-0940975675
Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches

From Sankofa Books, and imprint of Just Us Books

Tamika is a member of a special club: the Sweet Fruit of the African Family Tree Club. She loves being a Sweet Fruit. Tamika also loves to wonder. But sometimes wondering gets Tamika into trouble, especially when she doesn't think before she acts. So Mama and Daddy share words of wisdom with Tamika. Love yourself. Carry yourself with dignity. Use your mind freely, but always think before you act. And they give her sparkling, colorful rings, so whenever Tamika starts wondering, she can look at the rings and remember. But lately Tamika and her family's safety has been in danger. Then eight year old Tamika suffers the biggest tragedy of her life. Will the wisdom rings keep her strong and help her do the right thing?

Every group leader should share with their youngsters the rich experience of Tainika's rites of passage -for in essence, the book is about the reality of life for young girls in our communities today.  In Tamika's story, wholesome cultural heritage struggles to subsist in the midst of drugs and violence." "Every sensitive, caring single mother will empathize with the tragedy and struggles of Tamika's mother. Hopefully, they will be guided to use her wisdom and strength in relatinq to, caring for and teaching their own children." -- Gwen Akua Gilyard, President Sojourner Truth Adolescent Rites Sciety