Celebrating Black History Month - Illustrated Biographies of African American Musicians

This February marks the 50th anniversary of Black History Month, established by President Gerald Ford in 1976 and passed into law in 1986 by the United States Congress. 

These inspiring biographies teach children about the lives and legacies of three iconic African American musicians.  

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford; Illustrated by Frank Morrison

G-R-O-O-V-E Aretha finds her groove when she’s rocking R&B

No woman of her time has more chart-toppers than she.  

Aretha Franklin was born in a family devoted to God and music and is known as the Queen of Soul. As a girl, Aretha learned to play piano and sang in her church choir. She recorded her first record at age fourteen and is one of the best selling music artists in history. Lively illustrations and simple, rhyming text highlight special moments from Aretha Franklin’s musical journey alongside moving depictions of Civil Rights leaders and key events in American history.  

That Swingin’ Sound: The Musical Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong by Rekha S. Rajan; Illustrated by Ken Daley

Everyone who loves music will enjoy this lively story of young Ella Fitzgerald dancing her way from an orphanage in New York City to singing at the Apollo Theater while young Louis Armstrong sings his heart out on street corners in New Orleans and grows up to play his trumpet on riverboats in New Orleans and jazz clubs in Chicago. The two friends even got to perform together at the Hollywood Bowl concert in California. Illustrations by Ken Daly bring this inspiring story to life. 

Discover more children's books about African Americans on our African American Culture Picture Books booklist.

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

Sharon Forks Library Wants to Be a Millionaire!

If you saw the following front page of the Forsyth County News last July, you already know that in terms of physical circulation, Sharon Forks Library is the busiest library in Georgia.  

This year, the Sharon Forks Library has set out become even busier by reaching 1,000,000 physical checkouts by the end of 2026. Sharon Forks Library is determined to achieve this goal, and we feel confident in our patrons to help us reach it!

Every physical check out is counted in our total—from the smallest of picture books to the chunkiest of novels, every book counts! And don’t forget about magazines, books on CD, DVDs, Launchpads, Chromebooks, Storytime Kits…any physical item. They all count!

Forsyth County Public Library has the highest number of physical checkouts per capita among the 60 public library systems in Georgia, with Sharon Forks Library being the highest circulating branch in the state in terms of physical checkouts, followed closely by Post Road Library and Cumming Library (Source: FY2024 data tables from Georgia Public Library Service).  

To keep up with our goal, Sharon Forks has created a visual tracker in our lobby. The theme is “Sharon Forks Wants to Be a Millionaire,” inspired by the gameshow “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” On the first of every month, the previous month's physical circulation numbers will be posted. So far in 2026, we have already achieved over 60,000 checkouts. Stop by the Sharon Forks Library to track our progress and help us get on our way to ONE MILLION checkouts!

Basil M.

Information Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

Claire L.

Youth Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

Staff Art Exhibit at Denmark Library

One exciting feature about the Denmark Library that not many people know about is our hanging gallery wall system along the walls to the Meeting Rooms. To showcase this feature, staff have submitted various artworks to be displayed along the walls. Mediums of pieces submitted include acrylic and oil paintings, photography, and fiber arts.

The Denmark Library would like to thank all of the talented staff members that contributed their work to our inaugural art exhibition. Your wonderful talents have made our branch brighter!

The exhibit will be available to view through Friday, March 6 so drop by and see it while you can!

If you are interested in submitting your own artwork for display, you can complete the submission form here. All submitted pieces must comply with the FCPL Art Exhibit Policy.

Jessica
Information Specialist
Denmark Library