13 Books Published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

A lyrical road trip through the Mississippi Delta, exploring the landmarks that shaped one of America’s most beloved musical traditions.

One morning Bo Willie finds the doghouse empty and the gate wide open! Farmer Fred says Yellow Dog hit Highway 61 and started running. Aunt Jessie picks up Bo Willie in her pink Cadillac, and together they look for his missing puppy love. Their search leads them from juke joints to tamale stands to streets ringing with the music of B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Where, where did that Yellow Dog go?

Acclaimed creators Alice Faye Duncan and Chris Raschka present a boogie-woogie journey along the Mississippi Blues Trail. With swinging free verse and stunning hand-stitched art, Yellow Dog Blues is a soulful fable about what happens when the blues grabs you and holds on tight.

Kirkus Starred Review: "Beautiful, informative, essential."

School Library Journal Starred Review: "Highly recommended for libraries that need titles about the ongoing global fight against racism."

As Nelson Mandela lived and worked under the unjust system of apartheid, his desire for freedom grew. South Africa separated people by races, oppressing the country’s non-white citizens with abusive laws and cruel restrictions. Every day filled Mandela with grief and anger. But he also had hope—hope for a nation that belonged to everyone who lived in it.

From his work with the African National Congress, to his imprisonment on Robben Island, to his extraordinary rise to the presidency, Nelson Mandela was a rallying force against injustice. This stirring biography explores Mandela’s long fight for equality and the courage that propelled him through decades of struggle. Illustrated in the bold, bright colors of South Africa, A Plan for the People captures the spirit of a leader beloved around the world.

Malusi is a herd boy, which means that he must look after his grandfather’s sheep and goats and protect them from harm on the grazing slopes. This is a big job for a small boy and one Malusi does well. Still, he dreams of being more than a herd boy: he wants to be president!

When Malusi mentions these hopes, his friend Lungisa laughs and laughs. But after an attack by a hungry baboon and an encounter with Nelson Mandela, Malusi wonders if his dream isn’t so impossible after all…

In this poignant story set in South Africa, greatness often comes from humble beginnings. Niki Daly’s captivating prose and atmospheric illustrations help readers consider what builds the strength, courage, and integrity of a great leader.

A poetic story inspired by Psalm 121

Jordan lives in fear of Tanya, the class bully. But Tanya has worries of her own, no matter how much she tries to ignore them. It seems impossible that Jordan and Tanya could be anything other than enemies, but the Lord is watching over them, guiding each of them along a path that might just help them to understand one another.

Nikki Grimes takes the words of a Psalm 121 and masterfully transforms them into a golden shovel poem of compassion, friendship, and faith. Coupled with powerful artwork from Bryan Collier, this heartfelt story is one that readers will treasure.

John Roy Lynch spent most of his childhood as a slave in Mississippi, but all of that changed with the Emancipation Proclamation. Suddenly people like John Roy could have paying jobs and attend school. While many people in the South were unhappy with the social change, John Roy thrived in the new era. He was appointed to serve as justice of the peace and was eventually elected into the United States Congress. This biography, with its informative backmatter and splendid illustrations, gives readers an in-depth look at the Reconstruction period through the life of one of the first African-American congressmen.

This powerful collection of poems chronicles the various experiences of American slaves. Joined through the imagery drawn from quilting and fiber arts, each poem is spoken from a different perspective of the hardship endured by America’s slaves. Each poem is supplemented by a historical note. Hardcover with dust jacket.

Booklist
""Each of [Grady’s] free-verse poems about the African slave experience consists of 10 lines of 10 syllables that, as laid out on the page, mimic the square shape of a quilt block. They also include three references — to spirituality, music, and fabric arts — that reflect the three layers of a quilt… . Wood’s intricate illustrations reflect folk art motifs and vibrantly express the rich culture of African American slaves.""

Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
""A powerful grouping of thought-provoking poems and brilliantly designed paintings.""

School Library Journal (starred review)
""This ambitious work offers a bit of poetry, history, folk art, quilting, religion and more. It will definitely fill a niche in libraries.""

The Horn Book
""A stunning achievement for both author and artist.""

Publishers Weekly
""Newcomer Grady’s compact poems about the lives of slaves cover an emotional range from gossamer (""Like the wren’s/ song, she hits the grace note just so"") to leaden (""drag my heart clean/ out of my chest"")… . The notes anticipate classroom use, where discussion will arise from the varied aspects of slavery — companionship between the master’s children and slave children, early horse racing’s domination by slave labor, and more — that Grady covers in this well-researched collection.""

Christian Library Journal
""Grady does an excellent job of sensitively portraying the harsh realities of slave life through the heartbreaking beauty of poetry that is simple on the surface but complex and purposeful in structure, content, and theme… . This compilation of poetry is moving and rich in substance.""

Everyone brought a gift for baby Lucia. Facile sat high up in his mango tree and watched. It was the only tree on the whole dusty mountaintop. Papa had planted it for him when he was born. "A strong tree protects its timoun," Papa said.Young Facile wants to plant a tree in honor of his new baby sister, but he faces many obstacles. The first seed he plants is eaten by a goat, the second seed is washed away in a storm, and another seed is burnt by a scrub fire. Will Facile ever be able to plant a tree that will grow strong for baby Lucia?In this story of determination, faith, and love, author Karen Lynn Williams introduces readers to the realities of rural life in the mountains of Haiti. Imbued with brilliant colors, expressive characters, and vivid landscapes, Linda Saport’s illustrations capture the indomitable spirit of hope.

After the Civil War breaks out, young Ben finds himself in a slave prison and astonishes his fellow prisoners by reading aloud the newspaper account of Lincoln’s new Emancipation Proclamation. This full-color picture book is based on actual events.

Since the earliest days of slavery, African Americans have called on their religious faith in the struggle against oppression. 

In this book the Beatitudes — from Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount — form the backdrop for Carole Boston Weatherford’s powerful free-verse poem that traces the African American journey from slavery to civil rights.

Tim Ladwig’s stirring illustrations showcase a panorama of heroes in this struggle, from the slaves shackled in the hold of a ship to the first African American president taking his oath of office on the steps of the United States Capitol.

Readers of all ages will find this a book to return to again and again for encouragement and inspiration.

I angle for
a glimpse of him
whose touch unlocks
a blind man’s sight,
a deaf man’s hearing.

A man in the crowd at Jerusalem vies to see Jesus; a disciple recounts details of the Last Supper; Pilate’s wife fears her husband’s decision. Beginning with Christ’s triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, Nikki Grimes explores the first Easter through the voices of those who witnessed it.

The author’s introductions provide a thoughtful framework, and David Frampton’s beautifully intricate and expressive woodcuts illuminate each poem. At Jerusalem’s Gate offers readers of all ages insight into the most important moments in Christian history.

When Daddy prays
my fear of darkness disappears
and angels tiptoe down the hall.
I hear them through the door and wall…
when Daddy prays.

In this collection of new poems by Nikki Grimes, a child learns about prayer from his father, whose prayers carry the family through each day — no matter what the circumstances.

Nikki Grimes believes that spirituality and prayer are signs of true strength and power. When Daddy Prays celebrates fathers who help their children see this. Nikki writes, "In my view there is no more powerful image than that of a strong man bowing before God." And illustrator Tim Ladwig has created remarkable images, rich with tenderness and touches of affectionate humor, to enhance and complete this exceptional book.

On March 1, 1893, Princess Ka’iulani, 17, stepped onto the pier at New York City, realizing she stood at a crossroads in history. This biography tells the fascinating story of Princess Ka’iulani’s life and courageous fight for Hawaiian independence. Using newly translated journals and letters, Sharon Linnea introduces young readers to the most beloved figure in Hawaiian history, and one of America’s most overlooked Christian heroines. 30 photos.

"This collection of writings, drawn from a wide variety of sources, reveals the intellectual depth and breadth of the author. The articles include political commentary, cultural critique, literary analysis, extended book reviews, and even a short story by