Juneteenth for Mazie
Floyd Cooper, Author and Illustrator
Capstone for Young Readers, Fiction, Jan.1, 2015
Suitable for Ages: 4-9
Themes: Juneteenth, Celebrating freedom from slavery, Passing down family history
Opening: Mazie wants to play outside, but it is too late. “It’s getting dark, Mazie. It’s time to stay inside.”
Synopsis: Mazie is restless because it’s bedtime and she can’t go where she wants, have what she wants or do what she wants. Her father tells her about a big celebration she will attend the next day — Juneteenth. “We will celebrate the day your great-great-great-grandpa Mose, crossed into liberty.” Grandpa Mose works hard in the cotton fields along with many slaves in Galveston, Texas, until that joyful day in 1865, when word of their emancipation finally reaches the slaves. They celebrate and dance into the night. After freedom arrives, Grandpa Mose and many others continue to work and are paid, but equality is still a long way off. Mazie learns from her father that many African-Americans struggle to stand as equals with white people. Each generation carries that dream to improve their lives. Now it’s Mazie’s turn to celebrate who she is and to remember the accomplishments of her ancestors.
Why I like this book:
- Floyd Cooper’s Juneteenth for Mazie beautifully illustrates and celebrates a memorable day in American history. His picture book about June 19, or Juneteenth, will encourage a new generation of children to celebrate, ask questions and remember. This year will mark the 150th anniversary of that auspicious day.
- This is a lovely saga about Mazie, her family and their ancestral relationship to Juneteenth. Her father narrates this touching story about Grandpa Mose who “worked in fields that stretched all the way to sunset.” He tells Mazie about her family legacy, the joy of freedom, the struggle for the right to vote, the desegregation of schools, of forgiveness, achievement and celebration.
- With June 19 approaching, this is a perfect book for teachers to integrate into their lesson plans. The text and writing style will encourage children to love history and want to know more about their own family histories.
- Cooper’s captivating oil illustrations are in shades of warm browns and yellows and give the book a nostalgic feel. The faces of each character captures the intensity of the struggle, the joy of freedom, the determination of future generations, and celebration of milestones made.
Resources and Activities: Do you know your family history? Talk with your parents and grandparents and ask them questions about what they may know about your family history. Record their stories or write information about your history in a journal. Browse through family photo albums. Ask your parents to help you draw your own family tree.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
What a wonderful book to celebrate freedom. A book every child should read.
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Yes, I agree it is such a lovely way to celebrate freedom and all kids should know about it. I didn’t until last year.
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I read this book for King day once and loved it. Good choice, Patricia! So well written and so well illustrated. I remember the illustrations being like a dream and Mazie being like an angel. 🙂
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I love Floyd Cooper’s books. Glad you loved it so much! It belongs in every classroom.
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Sounds great! I know my great great grandad was the Mayor of Leeds. That’s pretty cool. So intetesting to look back.
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Yes, looking back into family history is interesting. You see patterns and it gives you a sense of how their lives influenced yours.
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Love this! What a beautiful cover. And super timing. I’ve been pointing out a lot of 150th anniversary dates on FB this year, too, remembering many of the events that ended the Civil War.
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You would enjoy Floyd Cooper’s book. I saw a list somewhere of 150 anniversary dates for the Civil War.
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Nice choice. I’m glad you fit it in before the PPBF summer break! Floyd’s work is so beautiful.
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Yes, I wanted to publish it in advance so teachers and parents would see it. I love Floyd Cooper’s amazing work!
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I think someone in Susanna’s MPBM class was going to write about this topic, and that is the only reason why I’ve heard of this event. I look forward to reading this and learning more. Thanks, Pat!
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I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know about the day until last year. It is such a great celebration of freedom from slavery.
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Can’t wait to read it. What I love most about this trend in both nonfiction and weneeddiversebooks is learning about events like Juneteeth! So much history untold and so many stories that need to be told!
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I agree with you! There is so much history that I’ve forgotten or never learned about and I love the many wonderful books that are now available to kids. This is a special story with beautiful illustrations!
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I didn’t know about Juneteenth until we moved to Texas. Lovely to see that it’s being shared with everyone.
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I learned about it last year. They certainly didn’t teach us about it in school. I’m glad there are books to share with all children.
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I love how this message is somehow brought right into the present.
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Yes, he makes it current for Mazie and all kids.
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This looks gorgeous! I didn’t know about Juneteenth, and am happy to find out – thanks, Patricia!
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I think many of us didn’t know much. I learned about it last year and was thrilled to see the Floyd Cooper write and illustrate such a beautiful book!
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150 years? I’ve only recently heard about Juneteenth. Thanks for the lead and lovely review on this cultural gem!
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And, you are from Texas. I learned about it last year. Was delighted with Cooper’s book. It is a gem!
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Well, yes, I live in TX but I’m from Wisconsin, so that could be part of it. It’s on my wish list and I’ve got a birthday coming up!
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It sounds like a beautiful and important book.
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It is an important book. Magnificent artwork. Thanks for following my blog.
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This sounds like such a beautiful and valuable book. I will definitely search it out. Thanks for the heads up Patricia!
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Thank you for visiting Lindsey! I am so happy you enjoyed my review of Floyd Cooper’s book.
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This sounds important. I think it will really hit home with kids.
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It’s a wonderful story for children. Great discussion book.
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This sounds like a wonderful book
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It is a wonderful book and I love Floyd Cooper. I’m glad he wrote and illustrated this beautiful book.
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