FAMILY CORNER

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH A GREAT READ

BY JESSICA TROTTER

Given all the upheaval in the last year, I think it’s worth taking time to celebrate African American history as American history. To that end, I’m highlighting a selection of great picks for your reading pleasure.

The national bestselling “A Promised Land” by Barack Obama or the National Book Award-winner and definitive biography “The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X” by Les Payne and Tamara Payne would both be great nonfiction choices.

But let’s go beyond titles you might already know about. Another great pick highlighting an important group of unsung heroines of the civil rights movement is “The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation” by Anna Malaika Tubbs. The book was released this month.

For something different, try Donna Hill’s “Confessions in B-Flat.” It’s a historical romance between a protégé of King and a firebrand follower of Malcolm X, set against the backdrop of 1964 Harlem in New York City.

Thinking of children’s books, two wonderful picture books on Aretha Franklin were released last year. “RESPECT: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul” by Carole Boston Weatherford and Frank Morrison is a great read-aloud pick, while “A Voice Named Aretha” by Katheryn Russell-Brown and Laura Freeman would be a better choice for children reading on their own.

Finally, because it fits too well not to mention, be on the lookout for “Libertie” by Kaitlyn Greenidge, which is due out in March and available to reserve now at your library. This highly anticipated novel of historical fiction follows the coming of age of the freeborn daughter of an African American woman medical doctor.

As always, if these don’t hit the spot, check out picks by the staff at Capital Area District Libraries on CADL’s homepage, or use the BookSleuth P.I. service to get personalized recommendations at cadl.org/ booksleuth-pi.

cool pets

THE LOVEBIRD

Lovebirds, otherwise known as genus Agapornis, are inquisitive members of the parrot species. They are known for the bond they tend to form with their mates. Don’t let their small size fool you, lovebirds require a large cage. They also need lots of toys to keep them busy, as well as good nutrition to maintain their health.

craft idea recipe HEART-SHAPED VALENTINE CANDY

WHAT YOU NEED: SILICONE HEART MOLD COCONUT OIL VALENTINE SPRINKLES CANDY MELTS OR BAKING CHOCOLATE You can choose from a variety of candy bases. For this recipe, I used pink candy melts and Ghirardelli baking-chocolate drops.

WHAT TO DO: This is just a measure-by-eye recipe, but for this treat I put a handful of melts into separate bowls, assorted by color of course. Layer each of the hearts in your mold with your candy sprinkles. Next, pick your first choice of color for the melts and microwave in 15-second increments until the candy melts to smooth. Be sure to stir each time you check. Once melted, spoon the candy over the sprinkles in one layer, gently tapping the mold until it is even. Repeat with your other candies and put in the refrigerator to set for about an hour before removing the heart-shaped pieces from the mold.

TIPS: You can put just a few drops of coconut oil in to help with smoothness and shine. Be sure you don’t burn your melts. Microwave times vary, but each batch of candy took about 90 seconds to melt for me.

PAPER-HEART WREATH

All you need is scissors, ribbon, three pieces of colored cardstock and a stapler for this cute but simple craft. • Cut ten 1-inch-thick strips of cardstock so that each measure 8.5 inches long. • Fold the strip in half. • Pinch one end and then fold the two open ends to make a heart and staple shut. • Repeat with the remaining eight pieces of cardstock. • Line your hearts up and start stapling them to each other to form a circle. • Staple in your ribbon and hang it where St. Valentine will see it.