When a child sees themselves represented in the books they are reading, their self-worth grows. Here are 65 books for African-American kids.
As a little Black girl, I remember wanting to look like my White counterparts because everywhere I looked, white skin, long straight blonde hair, and blue eyes were the image of beauty and acceptance. There’s so much beauty in children having books that feature characters that look like them.
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This booklist features books for African-American children and great for diversifying any bookshelf. Print this list and take it to your local library to borrow titles. Make note of which books your kiddo wants to own for their home library. Book ownership also sends the message that books are valuable and reading is a gift.
65 Books for African-American Kids
The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez and Lauren Semmer
If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier and Lynne Avril
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans
I Am Perfectly Designed by Jason Rachel Brown, Karamo Brown, and Anoosha Syed
Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke and Paul Howard
Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry, Jessica Curry, and Brittany Jackson
Every Little Thing: Based on the Song ‘three Little Birds’ by Bob Marley by Bob Marley, Cedella Marley, and Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Be Bold, Baby: Michelle Obama by Alison Oliver
This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World by Matt Lamothe
Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building by Christy Hale
Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat [With CD] by Nikki Giovanni, Damian Ward, Jeremy Tugeau, and Alicia Vergel de Dios
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont and David Catrow
When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner and David Catrow
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o and Vashti Harrison
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the… by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman
Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies by DK
This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James
Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers by Michelle Obama
Skin Like Mine by Latashia M. Perry
I Am Enough by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo
I Am, I Can: 365 Affirmations for Kids by DK
Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen and Kadir Nelson
The Water Princess by Georgie Badiel, Susan Verde, and Peter H. Reynolds
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker and Dow Phumiruk
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
M Is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child by Tiffany Rose
The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds
What You Do Matters Collection by Kobi Yamada
What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom
What Do You Do with a Problem? by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom
What Do You Do with a Chance? by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom
Usborne Books & More Featuring African-American Kids
Here and There Illustrated by Greg Paprocki
My Mommy is a Hero by Hannah Tolson
My Daddy is a Hero by Hannah Tolson
The Biggest Story by Sarah Coyle and Dan Taylor
Bethany Sings Out by Holly Webb and Monique Dong
Where’s Lenny? by Ken Wilson-Max
Lenny and Wilbur by Ken Wilson-Max
1, 2, 3 Do the Dinosaur by Michelle Robinson
Babies Come From Airports by Erin Dealey
Luna Loves Library Day by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers
Luna Loves Art by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers
Dr. Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System by Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chelen Écija
Usborne Books & More Lightning Girl Collection
Lightning Girl by Alesha Dixon, Katy Birchall, and James Lancett
Superhero Squad by Alesha Dixon, Katy Birchall, and James Lancett
Lightning Girl vs. Secret Supervillain by Alesha Dixon, Katy Birchall, and James Lancett
Superpower Showdown by Alesha Dixon, Katy Birchall, and James Lancett
Usborne Books & More Game Day Series
Patty Hits the Court by Patty Mills, Jared Thomas, and Nahum Ziersch
Patty and the Shadows by Patty Mills, Jared Thomas, and Nahum Ziersch
Patty Takes Charge by Patty Mills, Jared Thomas, and Nahum Ziersch
Usborne Books & More Anna Hibiscus Collection
You’re Amazing, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke
Welcome Home, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke
Go Well, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke
Love from Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke
Usborne Books & More Extraordinary Life Series
The Extraordinary Life of Serena Williams by Shelina Janmohamed
The Extraordinary Life of Rosa Parks by Dr. Sheila Kanani and Nan Lawson
The Extraordinary Life of Nelson Mandela by E.L. Norry
The Extraordinary Life of Mary Seacole by Naida Redgrave
The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson by Devika Jina and Maggie Co
Shop Local with Bookshop
To support your local bookshop, check out my booklist featuring many of the books from this blog post on bookshop.com
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Comment
Take a look at the books you have around the home or in your child’s classroom. Are there books that represent Black and Brown families and culture? Let me know in the comments what books you would add to this list.
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