Children's Books by Black Authors & Illustrators that celebrate the Black Experience

I love children’s books (I have a small collection of my own) and snag them at the thrift store whenever I can for the little ones in my life. Over the years, I’ve compiled several lists of books that celebrate the experiences of Black people and people of color in celebration of Black history month. I’m excited to provide a place you can return to time and again for recommendations for children’s books that celebrate Black authors and illustrators and Black stories. Below are some of my favorites!

Big, by Vashti Harrison, is a Caldecott Medal Winner and Coretta Scott King Honor Title about a little girl’s journey to self-love and learning about the power of words to hurt and heal. The text is spare, but the large illustrations express lots of emotion.

Something, Someday, by poet Lauriet Amanda Gorman and illustrated by Christian Robinson, is a colorful picture book that shows how small acts can lead to more significant change.

Your Name is a Song, by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Luisa Uribe, celebrates the beauty, history, and magic behind names. After a day of people mispronouncing a little girl’s name, her mother teaches her about the musicality found in African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names as they walk through the city.

A Day With NO Words, by Tiffany Hammond and illustrated by Kate Cosgrove, this story is inspired by the author’s lived experience with her own son Aidan who is non-speaking and on the autism spectrum. This story follows a day in the life of Aidan highlighting the various types of communication he uses to explore the world showing that verbal speech is not the only way to create meaningful connection.

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and illustrated by Newbery Honor-winning author Renée Watson, features stunning illustrations and a powerful story. This lyrical book takes you on a journey through a young Black student’s experience as she traces her family history for a school family tree assignment.

A is for Activist, written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara is an ABC board book designed for children ages 3-7 that introduces concepts of social justice, civil rights, and environmentalism through an activist lens, featuring diverse characters and actions like protesting, community gardening, and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. This book highlights the many different ways that a person can advocate for the rights of others.

Child of the Civil Rights Movement, by Paula Young Shelton and Raul Colon is a book written by the daughter of civil rights advocate, Andrew Young. This story is written from the unique view point of a child’s experiences during the civil rights movement in the deep south.

My Dream of Martin Luther King, by Faith Ringgold whose beautifully illustrated and heartfelt story about Dr. Martin Luther King brings the history of the civils rights movement to life on the page in a unique way. Within the book there is a list of important dates in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and the civil rights movement and it also includes two pages of activities to help kids explore and reflect on what they’ve learned.

Mama and Me, written and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, this story highlights the bond and strength of the tender relationship between a mother and daughter through lyrical prose and vibrant illustrations.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, by Derrick Barnes & illustrated by Gordon C. James, this story depicts a young Black boy's trip to the barbershop and transforms it into a powerful celebration of self-esteem, confidence, and Black masculinity, where a fresh haircut gives him a "crown" of royalty and worth. Jame’s illustrations are colorful and energetic and celebrate the barbershop as a cultural institution.

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, written and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe, this book introduces young readers to the life and art of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and depicts his life leading up until the 1980s with collage-like illustration.

The Year We Learned to Fly, by Jaqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael Lopez, this book uses lyrical prose and bold and colorful illustration to depict a story about how a brother and sister use their imaginations to escape difficult moments, guided by their grandmother's wisdom, which connects them to their ancestors' strength. 

Carter Reads the Newspaper, written by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Don Tate this first-ever picture book biography of Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month, emphasizes the importance of pursuing curiosity and encouraging a hunger for knowledge of stories and histories that have not been told.

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora is a Caldecott Honor-winning picture book about a generous woman, Omu, who shares her delicious stew with her neighbors, only to find her pot empty, leading the community to surprise her with a feast in return, celebrating themes of generosity and community.

When Aidan Became a Brother, by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita is a story about a child named Aidan who everyone thought was a girl when they were born. But once he came out as a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of his life that didn't fit anymore, and he settled happily into being himself. Then Mom and Dad announce that they're having another baby, and Aidan wants to get everything right for his new sibling. But what does it mean to "get everything right"?

Please consider ordering these books from this list of Black-owned book stores HERE and locally at Liberation Station Bookstore in Raleigh, NC.