Created in partnership with Ebony Jr., this inspiring Little Golden Book tells the story of one young boy's first experience celebrating Juneteenth.

When Jayylen's grandfather, Paw Paw Jimmy, begins preparing for a big Juneteenth celebration, Jayylen has a lot of questions. Most importantly, what is Juneteenth? His mother and Paw Paw Jimmy explain that the holiday marks the anniversary of when enslaved African Americans found out that they were free. Paw Paw Jimmy plays some zydeco for him, which is the type of music they will dance to at the celebration. Jayylen practices every day so that he will be able to play the frottoir (a percussion instrument similar to a washboard) for everyone. But will he be able to pull off an even bigger surprise for the day?

Since 1945, Ebony magazine has shined a spotlight on the worlds of Black people in America and worldwide, telling their stories. Ebony Jr! was created in 1973 to give Black children a magazine that was all their own. The magazine included stories, comics, puzzles, and cartoons centering Black children. Its mission was to ignite a love of reading and a love of self in Black kids, and we’re continuing that with our LGB program.
Lavaille Lavette is a New York Times’ bestselling author and editor, social entrepreneur, educator, leadership and business development expert.  A former teacher and school district administrator, Lavaille served as Special Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Rod Paige. She is a Founding Board Member and the first President of the Luanda Africa Sister City Association, and currently she serves on the board of advisers for Huvr Inc. and BreakOut App. She has used her branding, merchandising and sales expertise to manage a number of business ventures with well-known celebrities and athletes in the publishing, aviation, food, retail, and sports industries. In her leisure time she enjoys skateboarding, supporting various charitable ventures, and spending time with her husband John, family and friends. View titles by Lavaille Lavette
David Wilkerson is an American illustrator who was born in Denver, CO, and is currently based in Maryland. He’s worked as a designer on various projects for clients such as Hulu, Cartoon Network, Springhill Company, FOX Sports, and FUSE. David developed a love for illustration during his time at the Savannah College of Art and Design. In addition to music, he was heavily influenced by illustrators like Ronald Wimberly, Justin Bua, Joe Madureira, Kevin Dart, Gyimah Gariba, and Scott Wills. David believes that creation itself is what we live in, and he’s spent the last 20+ years creating the most authentic version of himself as possible View titles by David Wilkerson
"For parents who want to introduce the meaning behind their Juneteenth celebrations." —School Library Journal

About

Created in partnership with Ebony Jr., this inspiring Little Golden Book tells the story of one young boy's first experience celebrating Juneteenth.

When Jayylen's grandfather, Paw Paw Jimmy, begins preparing for a big Juneteenth celebration, Jayylen has a lot of questions. Most importantly, what is Juneteenth? His mother and Paw Paw Jimmy explain that the holiday marks the anniversary of when enslaved African Americans found out that they were free. Paw Paw Jimmy plays some zydeco for him, which is the type of music they will dance to at the celebration. Jayylen practices every day so that he will be able to play the frottoir (a percussion instrument similar to a washboard) for everyone. But will he be able to pull off an even bigger surprise for the day?

Since 1945, Ebony magazine has shined a spotlight on the worlds of Black people in America and worldwide, telling their stories. Ebony Jr! was created in 1973 to give Black children a magazine that was all their own. The magazine included stories, comics, puzzles, and cartoons centering Black children. Its mission was to ignite a love of reading and a love of self in Black kids, and we’re continuing that with our LGB program.

Author

Lavaille Lavette is a New York Times’ bestselling author and editor, social entrepreneur, educator, leadership and business development expert.  A former teacher and school district administrator, Lavaille served as Special Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Rod Paige. She is a Founding Board Member and the first President of the Luanda Africa Sister City Association, and currently she serves on the board of advisers for Huvr Inc. and BreakOut App. She has used her branding, merchandising and sales expertise to manage a number of business ventures with well-known celebrities and athletes in the publishing, aviation, food, retail, and sports industries. In her leisure time she enjoys skateboarding, supporting various charitable ventures, and spending time with her husband John, family and friends. View titles by Lavaille Lavette
David Wilkerson is an American illustrator who was born in Denver, CO, and is currently based in Maryland. He’s worked as a designer on various projects for clients such as Hulu, Cartoon Network, Springhill Company, FOX Sports, and FUSE. David developed a love for illustration during his time at the Savannah College of Art and Design. In addition to music, he was heavily influenced by illustrators like Ronald Wimberly, Justin Bua, Joe Madureira, Kevin Dart, Gyimah Gariba, and Scott Wills. David believes that creation itself is what we live in, and he’s spent the last 20+ years creating the most authentic version of himself as possible View titles by David Wilkerson

Praise

"For parents who want to introduce the meaning behind their Juneteenth celebrations." —School Library Journal

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