Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Place Where Hurricanes Happen | 2010 | Renee Watson | Buy |
| 2 | Harlem’s Little Blackbird | 2012 | Renee Watson | Buy |
| 3 | Maya’s Song | 2022 | Renee Watson | Buy |
| 4 | Summer Is Here | 2024 | Renee Watson | Buy |
Renee Watson’s picture books include some of her earliest and most personal work. A Place Where Hurricanes Happen (2010), her first published book, was inspired by her time doing nonprofit work in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Harlem’s Little Blackbird (2012) tells the story of Florence Mills, a Harlem Renaissance singer, and Maya’s Song (2022) is about Maya Angelou’s childhood.
The picture books reflect Watson’s commitment to telling stories about Black life and history for the youngest audiences. Whether she’s writing about real historical figures or seasonal celebrations like Summer Is Here (2024), Watson brings the same care for community and representation that runs through all of her work.