It’s not every day that our nation declares a new holiday. But in 2021, the United States government added our first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day (established in 1983) to the calendar.
This new holiday is called Juneteenth.
Perhaps like many of you, I had not grown up hearing about this day, the story behind it, or why it was important. But after listening to my brothers and sisters in Christ – the ones whose skin is a different color than mine – I wanted to learn as much as I could about the nineteenth of June and why it is important to so many. I also wanted to ensure my kids understood the reason we all pause and celebrate this day…but I wasn’t sure where to start. Then I read Dorena Williamson’s The Story of Juneteenth, a factual, succinct overview of the background behind Juneteenth, contained within a twenty-four-page board book format.
Combining gentle illustrations and simple sentences, The Story of Juneteenth summarizes the basic history behind the celebrations that have marked the nineteenth of June for over one hundred years. Ms. Williamson harmoniously and lyrically combines facts alongside joy and hope and celebration. Perfectly sized for small hands and well suited to read out loud, The Story of Juneteenth is written with the youngest children in mind, but this slender volume could be useful for sparking conversations with older kids also. I read this book to my almost-ten-year-old and we had a great discussion about what she had already learned about this holiday and what was new.
This subject matter could have been portrayed in a controversial or offensive manner. However, Mrs. Williamson handles the subjects of race-based slavery, the Civil War, and the original Juneteenth celebration with a delightful blend of honesty and delicacy. The illustrations are realistic but with a rounded, cartoon flair which is an ideal companion to the straightforward text. The characters are relatable and recognizable, and often depict celebration and joy even in the middle of suffering and sorrow and truly difficult times.
Sometimes we are called to talk with our children about difficult subjects. Graciously, God provides resources like this little book, which can serve as a stepping stone to learning and further conversations. The Story of Juneteenth is a welcome addition to our home library, and I hope it will find a place in yours as well.
You can find her on Twitter at @morrwriting or at heathercmorris.com.
- Review: The Story of Juneteenth - June 9, 2025
- Good Medicine - March 8, 2021
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