I love black history books for kids! It’s Black History month and I’m so excited to share some of my favorite books with you! I’m a former teacher so I love finding ways to teach my kids through reading books. When my daughter was 1 year old, I bought her a book called Lola at the Library. I remember her smiling and pointing to the little girl’s curly brown hair in two ponytails and then pointing to her own hair. It made me so happy that she was seeing someone in a book that looked like her.
I love buying books that celebrate black boys and black girls as the main characters. As a former teacher, I noticed there were not a lot of books in the public schools that have black and brown children as the main character. So, I decided that it was going to be very important for me to have books within my home that empower, inspire, educate, and celebrate black boys and black girls. I encourage you to start adding some of these books in your home. Here is my list of my favorite black history books for kids.
1. Hair Love by Mathew A Cherry
This is a very special book to me. This beautifully illustrated book is about a father giving his daughter an extra-special hair style! The book also focuses on the beautiful bond between a father and daughter. Also, there is a beautiful Oscar-winning short film that’s a must see Hair Love.
2. Dream Big Little One by Vashti Harrison
This beautifully illustrated board book showcases black and brown women who changed the world! I believe it’s important for black girls to see some of the amazing women that have done great things in this world.
3. When God Made You by Mathew Turner
This book focuses on your child’s special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow up and explore the world. It’s so important for children to understand that they have a purpose in this world.
4. Big Hair, Don’t Care by Crystal Swain-Bates
This book encourages black and brown girls to feel good about their hair, no matter how different it may be from other kids.
5. I Am Enough by Grace Byers
This book focuses on loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to people.
6. Emi’s Curly, Coily, Cotton Candy hair by Tina Olajide
This book is about a creative 7-year-old girl with a BIG imagination. This book shares a positive message about curly hair and tips on maintaining beautiful curly hair!
7. Happy Hair by Mechal Renee Roe
This book is a celebration of so many beautiful ways we can style natural hair! This book will have your kids chanting the book’s chorus: “I love being me!”
8. Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
This book is about a young girl’s journey with colorism, self-esteem, and learning where true beauty comes from.
9. Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn
This book encourages children to discover the joy of reading and going to the library. This book also focuses on the bonding time between a mother and daughter taking weekly trips to the library.
10. Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen
This book is about a young girl that overcomes obstacles to achieve her dream of becoming a ballerina!
11. I Believe I Can by Grace Byers
This book focuses on positive affirmations for children to believe in themselves.
12. Black Boy Joy by Charlitta Crowder Hatch
This is a beautiful story of the bond between a mother and son! As her son grows from birth to college, a mother’s love remains constant!
13. The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
A story of a boy displaying confidence as he goes to Kindergarten and tells his parents about all his achievements.
14. Little Legends Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison
This is a beautifully illustrated book of stories of black men in history. Within this book you’ll find exceptional black men aviators, artists, politicians, pop stars, athletes and activists.
15. Cool Cuts by Mechal Renee Roe
This book is about celebrating black boys and their natural hair styles. Boys love seeing a strong and happy reflection of themselves from fro-hawk to mini-twists and crisp cornrows!
16. Skin Like Mine by Latashia E Perry
This book celebrates diversity among children and being happy with the skin you’re in.
17. Every Little Thing by Cedella Marley
This book brings Bob Marley’s song to life. This is a story of a boy who won’t let anything get him down!
18. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jacks Keats
This is the very first full-color picture book to feature a small black hero! This award winning book captures a little boy in the city on a snowy day!
19. Daddy Calls Me Man by Angela Johnson
This book has four short poems reflecting a boys happy home life.
20. My Daddy Loves Me by Babba Sekou, Mamma Sekou, Sekou Afrika
This is a beautifully illustrated book focused on love being the foundation of fatherhood.
21. Riley Knows He Can by Davina Hamilton
This is a story of a young boy who is nervous about acting in a school play. This is a great book to teach kids to overcome being nervous in situations.
22. Riley Can Be Anything by Davina Hamilton
This is a beautifully illustrated book about dream exploration! This book teaches kids they can start dreaming about what they want to become in the future.
I hope you were inspired to buy some of these black history books for kids! I encourage you to start adding these books to your home for your children. If your child is a little older, I encourage you to have your child read one of these books to someone else. These books are a great way to help improve your child’s confidence and embrace the skin they’re in with love. Check out my blog Black History Crafts for Kids
XO,
Ashley
Thank you for sharing these books! I can’t wait to share some a few of these with my daughters💕
Thank you for reading! Happy you enjoyed the list of books!