With more and more of our books ending up on the banned book list, we must always have Black and African American kids’ books in our homes.
Ever since I got pregnant I knew there were certain things I wanted to teach my kids. Once I started decorating their room, I knew I wanted a little nook where I would be able to read to them at bedtime. I bought a bunch of books in English and in Spanish because teaching my kids Spanish is important to me as well. What I noticed is that I didn’t have any Black or African American kids’ books with characters that looked like us or shared any of our life experiences.
There weren’t any characters that celebrate culture or have diverse families. I enjoy reading to them about hungry caterpillars or giving cookies to mice, but we also have to remember to teach our children about who we are. We have to show them that characters that look like them exist. However, it’s good for ALL children to have diverse books. This is not even a comprehensive list but I hope you enjoy these Black books.
So, I went on a mission to find diverse children’s books about Black culture. Ranging from the civil rights movement to children’s literature about a snowy day. These books should be in the rotation and on book lists for young readers year-round and not just during Black history month.
Why are Black and African American kids’ books important?
I can’t speak for everyone else but when my son is reading a board book (or any book for that matter!) with characters who look like him it makes him more curious and more engaged. Seeing themselves represented in books helps foster a sense of belonging.
Black and African American kids’ books
Think Like A Computer: Teaching Girls to Code (Terysa Solves It) by Terysa Ridgeway
This is a great book to teach young Black girls computer science. Terysa, age 8, enjoys finding solutions to issues. She faces her hardest task yet when she receives an older computer for her birthday. Through an interesting tale based on the true story of a little girl who enjoys problem-solving, this entertaining and interactive story exposes kids to the fundamentals of coding! By the book’s conclusion, parents and educators will have a manual for fostering youthful problem-solving abilities and fostering a healthy sense of curiosity while also introducing young girls to computer science.
Black Boy Joy by Kwame Mbalia
A collection of 17 short stories from black authors about the power of Black boyhood. This anthology is a layered connection of black joy ranging from science fiction to poetry. Filtering perennial subjects such as friendships, gender identity, and family through the lenses of magic, science, space travel, superheroes, and more, this is an exuberant celebration of carefree Black experiences; while it will especially resonate with Black readers, any reader will appreciate how this genre-bending collection expands the horizons of what joy for Black boys can be. This book is for kids ages 9–12. There is a story in this book for everyone.
You So Black by Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D
This picture book is a celebration of the richness, nuance, and joy of Blackness. An adaptation of her poem, which is full of gorgeous lyricism and imagery, shows readers the love, joy, resilience, and universality in the beauty of Blackness.
The Adventures of Olufunmilayo by Wendy Oshifodunrin
The Adventures of Olufunmilayo and her Magical Lunchbox is a heartwarming and sweetly cute story about how a ton of delicious food, bravery, and supportive friends help a young Nigerian immigrant adapt to her new life in the United States. A young girl confronts her fears and creates a sense of belonging in her new home magically. This book introduces young children to Jollof Rice, Chin Chin, Puff Puff, Fried Plantain, Dodo, Amala, to Suya, among other Nigerian delicacies.
You Come from Greatness by Sara Chinakwe
A young boy learns that he is walking in the footsteps of greatness through a vibrant, lyrical retelling of Black history. It is both a love letter to Black children and an anthem empowering them to know their worth. The father describes the heritage and influence of Black ancestors whose resolve, fortitude, devotion, ingenuity, and leadership helped improve the world. The youngster learns throughout the narrative about the rich history of those who came before him and how he exemplifies that greatness.
Black Boy Ballad by Martha Sylla Underwood
Through brilliant, colorful, and powerful illustrations, Black Boy Ballad is an ode to self-love which aims to inspire children to shed their self-doubt and affirm their gifts while treasuring their divine existence in the process. Black Boy Ballad celebrates the bravery, brilliance, and beauty in boys navigating the world and all its wonders.
Sister Girl and the Training Wheels by Nicole Fenner
In Sister Girl and the Training Wheels, a little girl learns about patience, support, and growing up. Her father is instrumental in not only helping her ride a bike but also preparing her to understand how to handle other hurdles in life. Readers are left with a sense of pride in their family, and also themselves. Sister Girl is easy to relate to and the message of not giving up can be received by anyone, at any age. It is the first book in the sister girl collection.
Hair Love by Matthew Cherry
This book highlights the relationship between father and daughter, an important Black experience. It celebrates the loving relationship we have as black people and our natural hair. This is the book I needed growing up. Something to teach me how to love all parts of my natural hair.
Brown Boy Joy by Thoimishia Booker
This book is filled with all the things little brown boys LOVE. From dinosaurs to gardening there are no limits to what a little boy can enjoy. This book shows the world what Brown Boy Joy looks like. Brown Boy Joy is an empowering story filled with affirmations. Inside you will find vibrant illustrations and rhyming text designed to capture the attention of younger readers.
Lift Every Voice and Change by Charnaie Gordon
This book will inspire little leaders. It’s a voice book that features famous quotations by 12 Black leaders. Readers will recognize civil rights activists, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., alongside more contemporary icons, such as Stokely Carmichael and Jay-Z. Kids ages 7-12 gain an age-appropriate understanding of the strides made in the ongoing journey for equality.
Big Tune by Alliyah Agostini
This book comes out in March 2023. This story is about a Jamaican American community that incorporates poetic, lively fun. It’s a foot-tappin’, finger-snappin’ story of a young Jamaican boy coming into his own as both a fearless dancer and a contributing member of his community. Through rhythmic rhymes and beautiful, vibrant illustrations, young readers experience the cultural richness and dance style of a Jamaican American family as he experiences Black boy joy.
Waa Gwaan Jimi: Welcome to the Jungle by Danielle Dowie
A fun story for children 3-9 years old, which encourages social awareness through celebrating different, unfamiliar cultures and environments. Readers will encounter a fearless boy named Jimi, thirteen jungle animals, bilingual English-Jamaican text that rhymes, and a bonus alphabet guide to the Jamaican language.
Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day by Zenda M Walker
It’s wash day and Zara is not excited about wearing her hair in the same styles her mother usually creates. But once she takes Zara on a cultural journey to help her understand the significance of each hairstyle, wash days will never be the same! Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day is a semi-biographical story about how the hair texture and cultural styles of people of African descent are linked to a colorful and layered ancestral story.
ABC I Love Me by Miriam Muhammad
ABC I Love Me takes black children along for a journey of self-love, confidence, and adventure while teaching young learners positive affirmations for each letter of the alphabet. This book encourages children to accept their unique qualities and promotes positive self-esteem and a healthy lifestyle.
Boo Stew by Donna L. Washington
In this imaginative twist on the classic “Goldilocks” Curly Locks is a good-hearted girl, but she’s an awful cook. This is a fun story about pursuing one’s passions even when other people might not understand.
Soulful Holidays by Ciara L Hill
This book is a great read for African-American children. It’s an inclusive rhyming story celebrating the joys of Christmas and Kwanzaa. Through this heartwarming tale, children and families all over the world can experience the magic of Christmas and the true essence of Kwanzaa. Read about the food, songs, cultural decorations, and more! The catchy couplets in this dazzling picture book will delight readers with the inclusive traditions of families who honor one or both of these incredible holidays.
Girls Like Me by Valerie Thompkins
Girls Like Me is an inspiring picture book showcasing the many different careers that children can pursue. Follow the journey of a curly-haired little girl as she explores a new role on every page, gaining the self-confidence to become a future history-maker. This easy-to-read story is designed to shape the future for readers and encourage them to begin exploring occupations at an early age.
Ava Saves The Day by Breyanna Grays MD
A unique and informative book that teaches kids the importance of recognizing and responding to a medical emergency. Dr. Breyanna Grays is a talented neurologist using her brain power to educate children about the field of neurology. This book teaches Black readers the importance of advocacy and situational awareness.
Blackness is about so much more than just struggle. The Black experience is also about love, light, perseverance, and joy.
It’s important for our kids to have books about humor and spooky adventures as well as African-American history and the underground railroad. They should see themselves represented but they should also get to experience laughter and joy. Katie Potter, senior literacy manager at Lee & Low Books, a New York City-based publisher that’s been publishing diverse children’s books for the past 30 years said “When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read, or when the images they see are inauthentic or negative, they learn a powerful lesson of how they are perceived in the world.”
Every day I recite positive affirmations with my sons because it empowers them. I want them to know they are loved, valued, and matter. By surrounding them with Black literature I make them also feel validated and affirmed. I started when they were born with black picture books that had representation and diversity. And As they get older I want it to continue.
“Once children see themselves represented in books, their existence is validated, and they feel that they are part of the world.”
Eric Velazquez
I always add books to my diverse list on Amazon click here!
Thank you for including my book in your list! This is a great list of books and I’m honored to be included. Our children deserve to see positive stories and images that uplift them and show them they can be anything they want to be, and that they are beautiful just the way they are.
I’m so glad you liked it! I love the message you are sending.
I love this post! It is so important for all families to share multicultural books in their homes. When I worked at Head Start it is s performance standard that there must be multicultural books, dolls, toys, etc in each classroom at all times. It is so important!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it. That’s awesome the head start made it a performance standard.
These look like some great books! My big curly hair has always been an issue for me growing up. I used to feel ashamed of it and straightened it a lot. I have grown to love it now, but it would have been great for my self esteem to have these books and love it all along!
Now, my children are half chinese & half puerto rican and my daughter has straight hair and my son has curly hair. Family says my daughter is lucky to have straight hair and “oh no I see curls coming in, better cut it” for my son. Both of them are beautiful! We must embrace every child’s uniqueness to allow them to grow with a strong positive self image.
Thanks for sharing!
♥️ Jay @ motherbodysoul.com
I know exactly what you mean! I hear it a lot too. Thank you so much for reading.
Thank you so much for including Think Like A Computer in this fantastic list, I hope your little ones enjoyed the story!