Musicians, escaped slaves, athletes and an explorer are some of the historical subjects introduced in recent children's books about blacks.

Black History Month is a good time to check out these fascinating characters from the past or get to know a fictional character from an award-winning book.

"Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum," written and illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker; ages 4 to 8; Schwartz & Wade; $16.99Parker writes with the lyrical touch of a musician in this book about jazz great Art Tatum. Born with poor vision, Tatum had little formal training but could play anything he heard. An inspirational story for young readers.

"Elijah of Buxton," by Christopher Paul Curtis; ages 9 to 12; Scholastic Press; $16.99This Newbery honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel tells the story of 11-year-old Elijah, the first child born into freedom at the Buxton Settlement, a Canadian settlement for former slaves. With Elijah narrating this historical fiction novel, readers are introduced to the horrors of slavery, as well as the humor of the "fragile" child's life.

"I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer," by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrations by Eric Velasquez; ages 5 to 9; Walker Books for Young Readers; $16.95Matthew Henson dreamed of becoming great, but prejudice and poverty worked against him. Ultimately his perseverance led him to work side by side with Adm. Robert Peary to reach their goal — the North Pole.

"Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson," written by Sue Stauffacher; illustrations by Greg Couch; ages 8 to 10; Knopf Books for Young Readers; $16.99The evolution of the "tallest, wildest tomboy in the history of Harlem" into a graceful tennis champion is chronicled with style and swashers of rainbow colors in this biography of the first black to win a Wimbledon Championship.

"Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali," written by Charles R. Smith Jr.; illustrations by Bryan Collier; ages 9 to 12; Candlewick; $19.99Smith's rap-style verse gives readers a sense of the bobbing and weaving that Ali went through in the boxing ring and in his life. Watercolors and collages fill 80 pages with a fascinating look into Ali as a boxer, war protester, Muslim and a man.

"Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It," by Sundee T. Frazier; ages 8 to 12; Delacorte Books for Young Readers; $14.99The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award was given to this book about a 10-year-old biracial boy who seeks to learn about the grandfather he has never met. Brendan, who is a blue belt in tae kwon do, mixes his scientific curiosity with a strong sense of honor.