Hey, friends! February is here which means all things love! As a Black American, celebrating my heritage, culture, and Black heroes is a constant priority in my life and parenting. I have an expansive book list HERE of many of our favorite #OccasionsBookNook finds and have a passion for seeing our children represented in popular media and books. It is important for all children to see and read about themselves as protagonists and heroes. While it feels impossible to narrow the list down, I’m sharing 16 of my all time favorites–some old and some new–with you today.
You’ll find odes to black leaders, and brown faces represented in my home daily, but Black History Month and representation are SO important! A quote I’ve mentioned before still resonates with me so much today:
“We need diverse representation not only so that every kid can see themselves as the hero of the story, but so that every kid can understand that *other* kinds of kids are *also* the heroes of the story.”-Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
This book list is comprised of books about love, black history gems, as well as some adorable storybooks that feature brown protagonists and fantastic messages. Enjoy, and I would LOVE to know some of your family favorites! While I always appreciate earning small commissions from book sales here, I also want to encourage you to also seek out local Black-owned book shops. Your local library is also an incredible resource.
Just a reminder that for all of the books below, if you scroll over the title of the book, next to the number, and click, the link will take you directly to the Amazon Prime affiliate link to shop. You can add them to your wish list that way as well; to purchase in the future.
1. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
An important book for all ages, Little Leaders educates and inspires as it relates true stories of forty trailblazing black women in American history. Illuminating text paired with irresistible illustrations bring to life both iconic and lesser-known female figures of Black history such as abolitionist Sojourner Truth, pilot Bessie Coleman, chemist Alice Ball, politician Shirley Chisholm, mathematician Katherine Johnson, poet Maya Angelou, and filmmaker Julie Dash.
2. Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History
An important book for readers of all ages, this beautifully illustrated and engagingly written volume brings to life true stories of black men in history. Among these biographies, readers will find aviators and artists, politicians and pop stars, athletes and activists. The exceptional men featured include writer James Baldwin, artist Aaron Douglas, filmmaker Oscar Devereaux Micheaux, lawman Bass Reeves, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, and musician Prince. The legends in Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History span centuries and continents, but each one has blazed a trail for generations to come.
3. Last Stop on Market Street
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
4. Brown: The Many Shades of Love (The Colors of My Life)
Mama’s brown is chocolate, clear, dark, and sweet. Daddy’s brown is autumn leaf, or like a field of wheat. Granny’s brown is like honey, and Papa’s like caramel. In this loving and lovely ode to the color brown, a boy describes the many beautiful hues of his family, including his own—gingerbread.
5. Black Women in Science: A Black History Book for Kids
Throughout history, Black women have blazed trails across the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Black Women in Science brings something special to black history books for kids, celebrating incredible Black women in STEM who have used their brains, bravery, and ambition to beat the odds.
6. The History of Juneteenth: A History Book for New Readers
On June 19, 1865, a Union soldier traveled to Texas to tell the enslaved people who lived there that they were free—that slavery was now illegal in every state. The people danced and sang in celebration of their freedom. Today, we pay tribute to this historical day with a special holiday on June 19 called Juneteenth. This colorfully illustrated story takes kids on an exciting journey through all the events that led up to the first Juneteenth, the day itself, and the impact it had on the future of the United States.
7. The Year We Learned to Fly
On a dreary, stuck-inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their grandmother’s advice: “Use those beautiful and brilliant minds of yours. Lift your arms, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and believe in a thing. Somebody somewhere at some point was just as bored you are now.” And before they know it, their imaginations lift them up and out of their boredom. Then, on a day full of quarrels, it’s time for a trip outside their minds again, and they are able to leave their anger behind. This precious skill, their grandmother tells them, harkens back to the days long before they were born, when their ancestors showed the world the strength and resilience of their beautiful and brilliant minds. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael Lopez’s dazzling art celebrate the extraordinary ability to lift ourselves up and imagine a better world.
8. Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem
A lyrical picture book debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author and presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long.
9. All Because You Matter
A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and brown children everywhere: reminding them how much they matter, that they have always mattered, and they always will, from powerhouse rising star author Tami Charles and esteemed, award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier.
10. Moving Forward: From Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates
Meet activist Alton Yates, an Air Force veteran who dedicated his life to propelling America forward—from space travel to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond—in this inspiring nonfiction picture book.
11. B is for Black Girl: The ABC’s of Black Girl Culture
By: Channing Moreland
B is for B lack Girl celebrates and affirms Black Girl Culture by authoring and asserting a positive representation of Black girl culture for all audiences. B is for Black Girl merges empowerment and education through creative language and vocabulary used to highlight concepts and experiences unique to Black Girls across the African diaspora.
12. Jazz for Lunch
Come on in, sit right down! Cuz Auntie Nina and her nephew are cooking up a symphony of food and sounds. The lip-smacking smells and be-bopping tunes might just get the whole neighborhood shimmying over to join in. From Nat King Cole Slaw to Art Tatum Tots to Billie Hollandaise Sauce, get ready for some foot-stomping, finger-licking, booty-shaking, mouth-watering fun!
13. Ruby, Head High: Ruby Bridge’s First Day of School
Inspired by an iconic Norman Rockwell painting and translated from an original French text, this is a story about the day a little girl held her head high and changed the world.
14. M Is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child
Each letter of the alphabet contains affirming, Black-positive messages, from A is for Afro, to F is for Fresh, to W is for Worthy. This book teaches children their ABCs while encouraging them to love the skin that they’re in.
15. The Girl With a Mind For Math: The Story of Raye Montague (Amazing Scientists)
Meet Raye Montague―the hidden mastermind who made waves in the U.S. Navy!
After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades. Through it all, the gifted mathematician persisted―finally gaining her well-deserved title in history: a pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever.
16. I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything!
Based on a viral video comes the story of one boy’s positive energy and how a sunny outlook can turn everything around.
It’s a new day and Ayaan has woken up on the wrong side of the bed, where nothing feels quite right. What if he doesn’t know the answer at school? What if he messes up? But as he sets out that morning, all it takes is a few reminders from his mom and some friends in the neighborhood to remind him that a new day is a good day because…
HE IS SMART,
HE IS BLESSED,
AND HE CAN DO ANYTHING!
I always try to get at least one new themed book for the girls, each year! I’ve found some great ones from your past suggestions! Keep them coming! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Facebook!
If you’re looking for a fun craft to do in celebration of Black History Month, I’ve got 2 Black History Month Crafts for Kids.
Don’t forget to PIN for later.
