29 Must Have Books for Kids Featuring Black Authors and Illustrators
Happy Black History Month 365!!! So it’s officially February first but c’mon Y’all we celebrate Blackness year round! I’m kicking off Black History month with 29 children’s books featuring Black Authors and Black Illustrators. Some of my favorites are highlighted like Vashti Harrison and Christian Robinson along with some newbies that I can’t wait to personally dive into myself! That’s a book for every day of the month, including leap year because we aren’t going to keep getting short changed!
If you plan on purchasing some of these books I have included some links to black owned stores under the picture! Shopping local is also a wonderful option, and don’t forget your local library!!! You can also access my Liketoknowit page if you prefer to purchase from stores like Amazon and Target. Might I also recommend you purchase some of these books and donate them to your children’s schools, so that every kid can have access to these wonderful stories!
Without further ado, let’s dive into the list!!
Change Sings
About a young girl who holds the power to change the world within her self and inspires others to the their power.
Last Stop on Market Street
After Church every Sunday CJ and his Nana travel to the last stop on market street. This particular Sunday he wonders why they have to travel this way learning about appreciating differences, happiness, and inequity
Hair Love
A Black Father learns to do his daughters hair for the first time
Listen Layla
Layla travels to Sudan to visit her ill Grandmother. In the process she learns about identity.
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
A wonderful series which highlights Black Heroes in history
Firebird
Tells a story of a young girl whose confidence is fragile and struggles to believe in her own capabilities to reach amazing heights
Please, Baby, Please
A rambunctious toddler explores the world why their mother pleads “please, baby, please”
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
A young boy shares his excitement and appreciation for his local barber shop. A true ode to Black boy joy!
Lullaby for a Black Mother
The words of Langston Hughes takes us away as a mother struggles to find the perfect words to describe her sweet baby
Islandborn
Lola learns about the island where she was born
Grandma’s Purse
A special relationship between a Grandmother and Granddaughter is highlighted as a young girl discovers all of the amazing things in her Grandmothers purse
Your Name is a Song
This book is a celebration of African American Culture. Featuring a Muslim family, the book gives a freshness to the tradition of creating new names
Saturday
Together a Mother and Daughter discover the best part of Saturdays, time spent together
I Got the School Spirit
An exuberant celebration of the first day of school
Brown Boy Joy
A book that helps build compassion and empathy as kids are exposed to realities that are different than their own. In the expression of various forms of Black boy joy.
Who Toes Are Those?
A journey to determine, “Whose toes are those?”
Thank You, Omu
Omu cooks a stew and feeds it to her neighbors. To show their gratitude they bring her food.
The Year We Learned to Fly
A story about learning to connect even when you feel afraid. It illuminates the power in all of us to face challenges with confidence
Milo Imagines the World
Milo is on a long subway ride with his sister. To pass the time he studies the faces around him and makes pictures of their lives
I Am Perfectly Designed
A book about loving who you are exactly as you are.
I Am Enough
A book of affirmation perfect for Mother and daughter
B is for Breathe
The ABCs of coping with fussy and frustrating feelings. This book gives children the tools to express feelings and learn coping mechanisms at an early age
Another
A wordless picture book about a girl and her cat
Tar Beach
A childhood look at old Brooklyn when the way to go outside was on the roof
Rocket Says Look Up
Rocket is an aspiring astronaut intent on getting her community to stop what they’re doing and look up and reach for the stars
Parker looks up
A visit to Washington, DC’s National Portrait Gallery forever alters Parker Curry’s young life when she views First Lady Michelle Obama’s portrait
The King of Kindergarten
A confident young boy takes pride in his first day of kindergarten
Mae Among the Stars
A picture book inspired by the life of Mae Jemison, the First African American Woman to travel in space
Brilliant Brown Babies
A picture book which showcases how special and beautiful it is to be a child of color
Boobies Go Bye-bye
A weaning story for mother and baby as they end their breastfeeding relationship
Well there you have it a wonderful list of children’s books by Black Authors and Illustrators. Which book is your favorite? Are there any that you’re excited to read to your littles? Happy reading and happy Black History Month!
