19 Children's Books that Celebrate Black History Month
Explore our curated selection of Black history children's books. From Black History Month to Juneteenth and beyond, these meaningful reads teach, engage and empower young readers. Save the Children is dedicated to fostering learning at home for children of all ages, whether they're toddlers, kindergartners, or independent readers. Discover inspiring stories that celebrate Black history and culture!
1. I Am Me
By Jennifer Francis (Encourage You Today)
Every little Black girl deserves to know how amazing she truly is. In every beautiful brown hue, the magic each little girls possess is beyond measure when they are encouraged, loved, and heralded as queens, princesses, lawyers, doctors, but most of all, gorgeous human beings. I Am Me is the children's book of empowerment for every little black girl who sees beauty in herself, her world, and her heart.
2. Brown Boy Brown Boy What Can You Be?
By Ameshia Arthur (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform)
A story about a boy named Matthew who who asks himself a very simple but powerful question: Brown Boy Brown Boy, What Can You Be? From a scientist who studies bumblebees to a meteorologist who predicts the weather, the sky is the limit for Matthew and all children.
3. In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers
By Folami Abiade and Dinah Johnson (Lee & Low Books)
In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall testifies to the powerful bond between father and child, recognizing family as our greatest gift, and identifying fathers as being among our most influential heroes.
4. The History of Juneteenth: A History Book for New Readers
By Arlisha Norwood PhD (Rockridge Press )
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.
5. Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X
by Ilyasah Shabazz (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
A unique glimpse into the childhood of her father, Malcolm X’s daughter and author Ilyasah Shabazz delivers a lyrical story that carries a message that resonates still today—that we must all strive to live to our highest potential.
6. Antiracist Baby
By Ibram X. Kendi (Kokila)
With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society.
7. Skin Like Mine
By LaTashia Perry (G Publishing)
An entertaining yet creative way to address and celebrate diversity among young children.
8. I Am Enough
By Grace Byers (Balzer + Bray)
Empire actor and activist Grace Byers along with artist Keturah A. Bobo have written a lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another.
9. Sulwe
By Lupita Nyong'o (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
A whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.
10. The Night Is Yours
By Abdul-Razak Zachariah (Dial Books)
A lyrical and empowering bedtime story of family love and community, and most of all feeling great in your own skin.
11. Goin’ Somewhere Special
By Patricia C. McKissack (Aladdin)
Through moving prose and beautiful watercolors, award-winning author-illustrator duo collaborate to tell the poignant tale of a spirited young girl who comes face to face with segregation in her southern town.
12. Lessons by Nature Joshua’s Learning Exploration in the Wild
By Anthony Broughton (Anthony Broughton)
While Joshua explores the wild, he encounters animals who speaks and empowers him with life-long lessons. He listens carefully to the messages of the animals, and learns from them; even when others say that "animals can't talk." A book of empowerment, inspiration, and child-friendly wisdom! Journey with Joshua!
13. Something Beautiful
By Sharon Dennis Wyeth (Dragonfly Books)
A little girl longs to see beyond the scary sights on the sidewalk and the angry scribbling in the halls of her building. When her teacher writes the word beautiful on the blackboard, the girl decides to look for something beautiful in her neighborhood. Her neighbors tell her about their own beautiful things. Miss Delphine serves her a “beautiful” fried fish sandwich at her diner. At Mr. Lee’s “beautiful” fruit store, he offers her an apple. Old Mr. Sims invites her to touch a smooth stone he always carries. Beautiful means “something that when you have it, your heart is happy,” the girl thinks. Her search for “something beautiful” leaves her feeling much happier. She has experienced the beauty of friendship and the power of hope.
14. Tar Beach
By Faith Ringgold (Dragonfly Books)
Ringgold recounts the dream adventure of eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who flies above her apartment-building rooftop, the 'tar beach' of the title, looking down on 1939 Harlem. Part autobiographical, part fictional, this allegorical tale sparkles with symbolic and historical references central to African-American culture. The spectacular artwork resonates with color and texture. Children will delight in the universal dream of mastering one's world by flying over it. A practical and stunningly beautiful book
15. Miss Tizzy
By Libba Moore Gray (Aladdin)
The neighbors may think Miss Tizzy quite peculiar, but the children love her. They love her colorful house and her colorful clothes, but most of all they love the special attention she pays to them all.
Together, they bake cookies, make pictures full of sunshine and butterflies for folks who have stopped smiling, play dress-up, put on puppet shows and parades, or stretch out on bright quilts in Miss Tizzy's backyard of an evening to sing moon songs.
When Miss Tizzy becomes ill and takes to her bed, the children know just what to do to let her know she is missed and loved. Here's a picture book certain to touch the hearts of children of any age.
16. My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World
By Malcolm Mitchell (Scholastic)
Meet Henley, an all-around good kid, who hates to read. When he's supposed to be reading, he would rather do anything else. But one day, he gets the scariest homework assignment in the world: find your favorite book to share with the class tomorrow.
17. Moses When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
By Carole Boston Weatherford (Hyperion Book CH)
In this award-winning book, acclaimed author Carole Boston Weatherford and bestselling artist Kadir Nelson offer a resounding, reverent tribute to Harriet Tubman, the woman who earned the name Moses for her heroic role in the Underground Railroad.
18. Heart and Soul
By Kadir Nelson (Balzer + Bray)
The story of America and African Americans is a story of hope and inspiration and unwavering courage. In Heart and Soul, Kadir Nelson's stirring paintings and words grace 100-plus pages of a gorgeous picture book—a beautiful gift for readers of all ages, a treasure to share across generations at home or in the classroom.
19. Hair Love
By Matthew A. Cherry (Kokila)
Zuri's hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it's beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he'll do anything to make her -- and her hair -- happy.
Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair -- and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere.
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