H IS FOR HARLEM

An alphabetic journey through Harlem, past and present.

Beginning with “A is for Apollo Theater” and ending with “Z is for Zora Neale Hurston,” this historically rich picture book highlights the significant people, places, works of art, memorable publications, and more that have long made Harlem a hub of Black culture. Some letters focus on well-known institutions, such as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Harlem Globetrotters. Others shed light on lesser-known individuals like Mabel Fairbanks and Sharon Cohen, who created a pathway for Black youth to learn figure skating, and Impact Farm, an organization that has turned abandoned lots into thriving urban gardens. Harrison’s stunning, colorful, highly textured illustrations complement and expand upon Johnson’s textual snapshots, which offer just enough detail to encourage children to deepen their knowledge of Harlem. Johnson also gives a nod to other children’s picture-book creators by spotlighting Bryan Collier, whose award-winning picture book Uptown celebrates Harlem. This is a beautiful and welcome celebration of Black joy. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A gem that whets the appetite to learn more about a city where art is as alive as the people who live there.