Black History & Heritage Month: Books for Children

Early Childhood

Check out these suggestions for birth through five! 

This charming board book from the New York times best-selling and award-winning duo celebrates sweet baby love with bouncing, rhythmic text and whimsical illustrations. 

A boy visits a planetarium with his father and brother for a night of stargazing that opens him to the infinitely bright universe.

A little boy adores his big brother, who is always there for him, playing with him and teaching him things.

A little girl struggling to find her place within her family is shown how special she is through a set of nesting dolls.

In rhyming text, when the whole family and guests show up for the big dinner at Grandma's house, it becomes clear that the house is much too small to hold them all.

On the first Fish Fry Friday of the year, Cher wakes before sunrise. It's the start of the fishing season, and her wish is coming true: She's finally big enough to join her papere on Ol' Cane River! She can't wait to catch a mess of bream for Mamere to fry up for the evening feast. Fishing pole in hand, Cher races to the prized spot down on Ol' Cane River. Wrigglers wiggle on the line. Cousins giggle as a sign of approval as Cher reels in batch after batch of bream. But when things don't go as planned, Cher learns the true importance of Fish Fry Friday, and it's not the big catch...

Tendo always races his sister to the finish line as they leave the house. Kira the dog greets her at the door with a wagging tail and a spin. Sometimes it's Auntie Linda pulling her into her wheelchair for a hug, or Uncle Alex bringing his funny parrot for a visit. One jajja teaches her granddaughter how to make the chicken dish she learned as a child; another tells stories from far away, before she was born. Whether it's Mom asking if she's hungry a hundred times a day, or older siblings scaring away the monster that keeps her awake, the refrain 'I love you' comes through loud and clear--and reminds us that there are countless ways to express affection to those that we hold dear.

Sometimes it's hard to stand out when others have yet to create space for individual differences. But with the encouragement and support of family, friends and the community, one girl discovers the joy of rocking her hair in twist-outs, braids, ribbons and more. Told in a catchy, lyrical voice and with engaging pictures and backmatter about legal protections provided by the CROWN Act, this story weaves together themes of confidence, individual expression, and learning to advocate for yourself and others.

An intergenerational Black family gets together for a family feast, as they share love, laughter, and sweet treats.

Early Elementary

Rock enthusiast Ava digs for fossils with her family.

A celebration of the history of Black music in America.

A grandmother introduces her grandchildren to famous Black figures and important snapshots in Black history, and the children begin to imagine themselves in these moments.

Marian Wright Edelman was a lifelong flea for justice--making people itch--as she pushed for racial equality.

Kwesi doesn't know how to swim and discovers his grandmother, Nana Ruby, doesn't either, so they turn to the West African legend of Mami Wata to face their fears, in an intergenerational story about the importance of naming, acknowledging and facing fears.

A picture book autobiography celebrating the life, trials, and trailblazing victories of Jacci Gresham, the first Black woman tattoo artist in the United States.

Praised for acting like a big girl when she is small, as a young girl grows, "big" becomes a word of criticism, until the girl realizes that she is fine just the way she is.

When she has to come up with a unique project for the science fair at school, Imani turns to her magic hair for inspiration.

Ty loves superheroes. He watches them on TV and reads books about them. When he puts on a cape and a mask, he becomes Super Ty! Super Ty helps Momma and others. But even his super skills can't solve all problems by himself. That's what Ty's super friend is for--his brother! Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: Super Ty, a My First I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Nina Mata. Imagination, helpfulness, and play are highlighted, making this perfect for sharing with children three to six.

A luminous picture book biography about librarian and storyteller Augusta Baker, the first Black coordinator of children's services at all branches of the New York Public Library.

A semi-autobiographical story about one child's difficulty dealing with the loud and harsh world around them.

Little Tasha hates getting her hair washed, but with her big sister, mother, and grandmother's loving encouragement, the weekly ritual becomes a family bonding experience.

The story of Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor, who created the first automatic three-way traffic signal system.

A biography of the Civil Rights icon, activist, and scholar Angela Davis.

It's a surprise visit! Ana & Andrew are excited when Grandma comes to visit. While she is there, the family tours the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and learns about important African American achievements.

It's Saturday and that means it's time for the Daddy-Daughter Day surprise! A bus ride into New York City. Instead of the usual sites, the duo hops on a subway to Harlem and walk to a building across the street from where Daddy was born. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture--a national landmark. There, daddy introduces his little girl to important people from the past--Katherine Johnson, Wilma Rudolph, Ruby Bridges, and more. The girl's memorable day ends with a sense of pride and something even better--a snuggle-hug from Daddy.

When Junior moves to Roxboro, North Carolina, in 1959, new friends bring him to an incredible place: the Negro Library.

By tracing Black ethnic hairstyles from their origins in Africa to the contemporary United States, this book shows how hair can be important to one's self-esteem and identity.

A vibrant and joyful picture book that celebrates the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman and activist who played an instrumental role during the Stonewall Riots that lead to PRIDE month, written by award-winning filmmaker and artist Tourmaline.

Dayo practices Hoodoo with her family. One Saturday, she wakes from an interesting dream about a yellow bird. What could it mean? She knows that it's up to her to figure it out. Over the course of the day, as Dayo and her family move through their daily rituals (mantras and affirmations included), the message sent from her Ancestors through her dream reveals itself. This celebration of spirituality (and heritage) highlights the rich history of Hoodoo and the beauty we can find in everyday magic. An ode to the family, friendship, and the beautiful tradition of Hoodoo practice, this book celebrates the magic and symbolism to be found in every day, written by bestselling author Nyasha Williams.

Bellen Woodard adores ballet and always looks forward to reaching new heights. Though as she moves through dance, she begins to notice that pink leotards, pink shoes, and pink or white tights--often referred to as ballet pink--are synonymous with ballet. But what about brown tights and shoes? When her dance studio doesn't act, Bellen takes matters into her own hands and creates a way for all of us to see the 'many beautiful colors of dance'--and she names it ballet brown.

Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself but later, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider.

Late Elementary and Middle School

A beautiful, bold collection of more than 100 dazzling poems by Black poets for the whole family to treasure. Discover classic favorites and new stars. This gorgeously illustrated children's anthology is the perfect introduction to poets such as Lucille Clifton, Langston Hughes, Benjamin Zephaniah, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, Amanda Gorman, Caleb Femi, and Joseph Coelho, and also features brand-new work by poets Nikki Grimes, Carole Boston Weatherford, and others. Lovingly compiled by award-winning picture book writer and editor Traci N. Todd, this collection touches on a wide range of themes-hope and struggle, joy and pride, home and food, music and family. Each poem is paired with vibrant, inviting illustrations by Jade Orlando. This beautiful gift book is a remarkable and moving tribute to the rich literary history and bright future of Black writing.

The Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree.

This vibrantly illustrated book for kids aged 6 to 10 traces a year in the real-life apiary of Sankofa Farms as a father (the author) teaches his young son, Akeem, the basics of beekeeping. Told from Akeem's perspective, Akeem Keeps Bees! begins with the arrival and installation of a package of bees and follows the sequence of beekeeping tasks throughout the year, as Akeem and his dad inspect the hive, find the queen, deal with a swarm, harvest honey, and prepare for winter.

Ten-year-old African American Nora learns to love to her new home in rural Greenville when she starts an eventing team with the horseback riders at Creaky Acres.

Nansi has never lost a race ... until snobby Tania beats her in an unofficial event. Surely it's Tania's flashy shoes that gave her the edge. Nansi has to get a pair before the track tryouts! But how will she kick up $338? Incorporating Jamaican culture and the West African trickster character, Anansi, debut author Carl Brundtland has created an endearingly self-absorbed heroine who always goes the distance - even if it's the wrong way. With award-winning illustrator Claudia Dávila's expressive art, Way Off Track hits the ground running with humor, hijinks and a whole lot of heart.

Danilo's baseball talent lands him the opportunity to train in the States and find his absentee father, who may be the key to saving the family he abandoned as they deal with the devastating effects of the US's military invasion of Panamá.

Wini's family of enchanters runs a little bakery, but with the prices of magical ingredients skyrocketing, they're going under. Desperate to save her family's business, Wini takes a risk by casting a (sort of illegal) spell that would allow them to gather their own supply of their most needed magical ingredient: Love. But the spell doesn't work. And Wini soon discovers that it didn't just not work, it backfired. Badly. Now the whole town is in danger, and the Enchantment Bureau is sniffing around for whoever cast the wayward spell. It's just been Kal and her dad for as long as she can remember. They've weathered everything together, including Kal's mental health struggles. But just as they're about to move to a new town for a fresh start, Kal's grandfather--who mysteriously vanished years ago--has suddenly reentered their lives with a desire to make amends. He joins them in opening their bookstore in the new town, but Kal can't help but wonder if he has anything to do with the whispers around her new home about wicked magic. And it's not just the whispers of the magical books in their shop. When Wini and Kal cross paths--both hoping for the chance to finally make a friend without worrying about their family histories following them--the girls bond over being fellow outcasts. Together they search for the solution to fixing the magic gone awry in their beloved town--and just maybe get their dads to go out on a date.

Life is tough for twelve-year-old orphan Adia. Her aunt and uncle believe she's an ogbanje, a demon-possessed child that brings misfortune wherever they go, and Adia can't disagree, especially when she suddenly manifests mysterious powers that she can't control, causing an earthquake in her village. So when Adia is offered a kitchen apprenticeship at the faraway Academy of Shamans, she flees with nothing but a pouch of change, her cat Bubbles, and the hope that someone there can figure out what's wrong with her, and fix it. But just as she's settling in, Adia stumbles upon a shocking secret: unlike her, the kingdom's emperor really is possessed--by a demon more wicked than any other.

When twelve-year-old spelling bee champ Bree acquires superpowers from a lightning strike, her preordained life turns upside down as she envisions a future that deviates from her father's high expectations.

After feelings for her best friend Deve become complicated, thirteen-year-old African American Birdie makes a wish with a West African trickster god that goes awry.

When twelve-year-old Onyeka discovers that she has psychokinetic powers, her mother reveals that she is Solari, part of a secret group of Nigerian mutants that trains at the Academy of the Sun.

Cooking Up Change is both a celebration of Black history and an invitation to experience it through the lens of food. With biographies of figures who shaped important events and mouthwatering recipes that carry their essence, this book will inspire future leaders with real stories of trailblazers who helped to change the world. 

It's 1963, and things are changing for Jezebel Turner. Her beloved grandmother has just passed away. The local police deputy won't stop harassing her family. With school integration arriving in South Carolina, Jez and her twin brother, Jay, are about to begin the school year with a bunch of new kids. But the biggest change comes when Jez and Jay turn eleven-- and their uncle, Doc, tells them he's going to train them in rootwork. Jez and Jay have always been fascinated by the African American folk magic that has been the legacy of their family for generations--especially the curious potions and powders Doc and Gran would make for the people on their island. But Jez soon finds out that her family's true power goes far beyond small charms and elixirs...and not a moment too soon. Because when evil both natural and supernatural comes to show itself in town, it's going to take every bit of the magic she has inside her to see her through.

On the first day of eighth grade, Candace Wells opens her locker and is astonished when an unusual bird flies out. Soon after, a notebook mysteriously appears on the top shelf, labeled Tracey Auburn, 1988. Stranger still, as Candace reads the notebook, new messages start to appear. Professor Tracey Auburn only vaguely remembers a bird flying into her locker in eighth grade, way back in 1988, and losing a notebook she could have sworn she put on the top shelf. Until Candace shows up at her office with the missing notebook forty years later. Quantum physicist Loretta Spencer will never forget the bird flying out of her locker in eighth grade in 1948. Her life's work has been to study the portal and others like it, and now she needs Tracey's and Candace's help to complete her research.

Cecil Hall and his family have just moved from Florida to Massachusetts, near Boston. Cecil is anxious about making friends because he doesn't know where he'll fit inches His older sister, Leah, thinks he should befriend the other Black kids at his new school, but Cecil isn't sure how he'd go about doing that. He wants to be known for his comics-making talent, anyway. But the few kids who are impressed by Cecil's art aren't always nice to him. When one of his drawings is misused and gets him into serious trouble, can Cecil stand up for himself and figure out who his real friends are?