ThismovingpicturebooktellsthestoryofJuneteenthwithallthecareandreverencesuchaholidaydeserves.Therhymingtextandstunningillustrationswillteachchildrenaboutthishistoricdayinhistory.’Twasthenightbeforefreedom,andallthroughtheSouth,long-whisperedrumorshad,spreadwordofmouth.“It’scoming!It’scoming!“Iheardpeoplesay.“Emancipationiscomingourway.“Eight-year-oldDavidandhisfamilygatheratGrandma’shouseinGalveston,Texas,foracherishedfamilytradition:Grandma’sannualretellingofthestoryofJuneteenth,theholidaythatcommemoratestheendofslaveryintheUnitedStates.ThesigningoftheEmancipationProclamationbyPresidentAbrahamLincolnmeantthatallenslavedpersonswithintherebelliousstateswouldbefreeasofJanuary1,1863.However,peopleinTexasdidnotreceivethenewsoftheiremancipationuntiltwoandahalfyearslater--onJune19,1865.Grandmatellsthestoryofanticipation,emancipation,andjubilationjustasitwastoldtohermanyyearsbeforebyherowngrandmother,MomBess.Asasix-year-old,BesshadexperiencedtheveryfirstJuneteenth.Beforethatday,shecouldonlyimaginewhatlibertywouldlooklike.Butoncefreedomarrived,woulditliveuptoalittlegirl’sdreams?ThestoryiswritteninthesamemeterasClementC.Moore’sTheNightBeforeChristmas,makingitaperfectbookforparentsandkidstoreadtogether.
