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Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Saturday, February 4 at 11 am
Thursday, February 9 at 5 pm

Henry Brown doesn't know how old he is. Nobody keeps records of slaves' birthdays. All the time he dreams about freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. Henry grows up and marries, but he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do: He will mail himself to the North. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry finally has a birthday -- his first day of freedom.

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson

Saturday, February 18 at 11 am
Thursday, February 23 at 5 pm

There's a sweet, sweet smell in the air as two young girls sneak out of their house, down the street, and across town to where men and women are gathered, ready to march for freedom and justice. Inspired by countless children and young adults who took a stand, this book offers a heart-lifting glimpse of children's roles in the civil rights movement.

Ballot Box Battle by Emily Arnold McCully

Saturday, March 3 at 11 am
Thursday, March 8 at 5 pm

The Ballot Box Battle tells the inspiring story of Cordelia, a young girl whose relationship with her neighbor, the great suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, inspires her to a remarkable act of courage.

You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer! by Shana Corey

Saturday, March 17 at 11 am
Thursday, March 22 at 5 pm

Amelia Bloomer, a rebellious reformer and early women's rights activist, invented bloomers (baggy pantaloons worn with a short skirt over them), thus liberating women from the dangerous and oppressive clothing of the mid-nineteenth century. Here is her story, told in buoyant, witty text and beautiful, high styled-illustrations.

Children’s Corner Book Chat

Ellen's Broom by Kelly Starling Lyons

Saturday, March 24 at 1 pm

Author Kelly Starling Lyons will visit the VHS to read her book, "Ellen's Broom," and present a program related to the text. Call now to reserve a spot at this exciting meet-and-greet! To reserve your place at this event, contact Caroline Legros, School Program Coordinator, at 804-342-9652 or clegros@vahistorical.org

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The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes

Saturday, April 7 at 11 am
Thursday, April 12 at 5 pm

Like the steady and determined flow of a river, this poem carries readers along and draws a metaphorical connection between the waterways of the world and African-American culture. Moving from ancient times to the Mississippi River and its connection to slavery, the poem offers both a time line of the African-American experience and a comment on the perseverance of the African-American soul.

Emily by Michael Bedard

Saturday, April 21 at 11 am
Thursday, April 26 at 5 pm

A young girl who lives across the street from the reclusive Emily Dickinson gets her chance to meet the poet when her mother is invited to play the piano for Emily. The girl sneaks up to Emily's room and exchanges a small gift for an authentic poem, which is included in the book.

Nim and the War Effort by Milly Lee

Saturday,May 5 at 11 am
Thursday, May 10 at 5 pm

It’s the last day of the newspaper drive and Nim, a Chinese-American girl in San Francisco during World War II, is determined to win. Her nearest rival has cheated. Undaunted, she leaves Chinatown and walks up Nob Hill after school, determined to find more scrap newspaper. Nim’s sweet seriousness and ingenuity are captured in the text and in the luminous, grave illustrations

Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan

Saturday, May 19 at 11 am
Thursday,May 24 at 5 pm

Marisa gets to help make dumplings this year to celebrate the New Year. But she worries if anyone will eat her funny-looking dumplings. Set in the Hawaiian islands, this story celebrates the joyful mix of food, customs, and languages from many cultures.