Since 1926, Pelican Publishing Company has been committed to publishing books of quality and permanence that enrich the lives of those who read them.
African-American
It has been estimated that approximately four hundred women disguised themselves as men to join the Buffalo soldiers; however, only one case has been documented. Cathy Williams enlisted as William Cathay and served for two years before anyone discovered she was a woman. To this day, the former slave is the first documented woman to serve in the United States Military.
The little boy Clarence Thomas grew up in segregated Pinpoint, Georgia. Though children at school teased him for his appearance, he soon learned that hard work, a good education, and faith would take him into a world where true fighters never raise a fist.
Did you know that Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable founded what was to become Chicago? That Charles Richard Drew invented a method of preserving plasma for blood transfusions? Or that Phyllis Wheatley wrote a poem about George Washington, and as a result was invited to meet him? Hardcover.
Covering issues of civil rights, sports, education, and the arts, Famous Firsts of Black Women: 2nd Edition is a detailed account of courageous and daring black women who have changed the course of American history. Featuring twenty women, it describes the triumphs of these heroines, together with the obstacles they faced. This collection of biographies describes their lives from as far back as the 1700s right up to the present day.
Featuring forty-one vibrant black and white photographs and illustrations, this book includes details of Gordon Parks’ life and his work. Included are his photographs of the poor, stylish Parisian models, and the Civil Rights movement.
In the morning, when the sun rises, Mr. Okra drives his brightly painted truck through the streets of New Orleans, selling beautiful, fresh produce. He calls out the names of the fruits and vegetables in a voice familiar to any New Orleanian: “I got tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocados! I got mangoes! I got watermelon!” Mr. Okra’s fruits are as colorful as Mardi Gras floats. His veggies are lush like the palms in Jackson Square. And his watermelons are St.-Charles-streetcar green on the outside and Canal-Street-streetcar red on the inside.
The ancient Greeks excluded women from the Olympics. When the modern games were reinstated in 1896, the ban was continued. But in the next Olympiad in 1900, women were included. It was not until 1932 that the first African-American women were selected to participate in the Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Since that eventful year, more and more black women have participated in the Olympics. Now they compete in all areas of track and field, tennis, basketball, rowing, volleyball, and figure skating. Hardcover.
While playing at their grandparents’ house one day, Joshua and Krista discover a World War II uniform, helmet, and medals. Their grandfather shares with them the story of his proud days as a member of America’s first all-black flying squadron. Hardcover.