Black History Month is a great time to enlighten your children [1] about Black culture by introducing them to some of Black history's most influential leaders and innovators. One great way is through story time. A book a night could not only teach your child about the trailblazers of the civil rights movement but also about the Harlem Renaissance or the queen of Soul music. It can also help kids embrace their skin and hair or learn that no matter how different a person is from us, we're all beautiful. Thankfully, there are more new writers of colour [2] than ever, meaning there are more options to help educate our children. Here are 20 good books for kids to read during Black History Month.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker
Your little one will love learning about how this smart lady saved the world, well, sort of. Counting on Katherine [4] ($11) tells the story of Black mathematician Katherine Johnson, who worked for NASA during the space race. After reading, they're sure to be excited about maths, too.
Parker Looks Up by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry
This book offers a child's perspective of seeing Amy Sherald's portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama [5] at the National Portrait Gallery. Inspired by the actual visit of Parker Curry, Parker Looks Up [6] ($13) illustrates the importance of representation and how it impacts the younger generation.
Dinner at Aunt Connie's House by Faith Ringgold
In Dinner at Aunt Connie's House [7] ($5), Melody has a blast meeting her new cousin, eating great food, and going swimming. While having dinner, she learns about 12 famous Black women through paintings on the wall, including Rosa Parks, Zora Neale Hurston, and Mary McLeod Bethune.
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Three girls go to visit their estranged mother in Oakland, CA, in One Crazy Summer [8] ($10). While they think their Summer will be filled with trips to Disneyland, they're surprised to find that instead, their mother sends them to a day camp run by Black Panthers, where the girls learn about their family history, their country, and themselves.
Woke Baby by Mahogany L. Browne
Get your little one ready to be a tiny revolutionary with Woke Baby [9] ($8). Don't worry, this book won't have them protesting their vegetables. Instead, it gets your little ones up and moving with lyrical prose while building the foundation for little activists.
When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Laban Carrick Hill
Music is a universal language, which is why When the Beat Was Born [10] ($13) is a must read for children of all ages. Your child will get a taste of South Bronx flavour as they discover the world of hip-hop and learn about DJ Kool Herc and how he put his stamp on hip-hop culture.
Skin Like Mine by Latashia M. Perry
Easy-to-read Skin Like Mine [11] ($9) explores the topic of diversity among children, showing children to embrace people who look different than them.
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
Six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family move from Mississippi to their new home in New Orleans. When a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at an all-white school, Ruby faces bullies and angry parents who don't want her at their school. The Story of Ruby Bridges [12] ($7) powerfully tells the tale of the young girl standing in the face of racism.
Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon
Young Zora Neale Hurston is a great storyteller. But when a story she tells seems to have come to life, Zora and her friends fear their imagination may have put the town in danger. Endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust, Zora and Me [13] ($8) fictionalizes the young literary revolutionary in a thrilling way.
Midnight and the Man Who Had No Tears
In a magical land, Midnight is the Keeper of Dreams and Protector of Children. During her nightly journey, she notices a dark cloud of sadness consuming the Red family's house. This leads Midnight to find out why the angry father can't show kindness. Midnight and the Man Who Had No Tears [14] ($10) uses fantasy to teach a lesson on the importance of family.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
There's no bond like that between a father and daughter. In Hair Love [15] ($11), Zuri's dad has to help her achieve an extraspecial hairstyle, which helps to shift the narrative about Black fathers while encourageing little Black girls to love their hair. It's a great book for any daddy's girl.
Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
Inspired by a true story, Henry's Freedom Box [16] ($14) follows the story of Henry, a slave boy who has dreamed of freedom his entire life. While it's a heavier book, it does end on a happier note: Henry's determination to be free leads him to mail himself to the north in a crate.
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont
Every child needs a boost of self-confidence, and that's just what you get with I Like Myself! [17] ($14). Just like the title, this book teaches children to embrace every cool and weird thing about themselves with a bold, vibrant love.
Cool Cuts
This rhythmic book celebrates the versatility of Black boys' hair. Whether it's an Afro, a fade, cornrows, or dreadlocks, Cool Cuts [18] ($15) celebrates the diversity of Black hair. There are even positive affirmations for your little one to use about their cool hair, which help promote self-love and increase self-esteem.
Young, Gifted, and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes From Past and Present by Jamia Wilson
Introduce your kids to 52 icons from the past and present, like Nina Simone, Langston Hughes, and W.E.B. Dubois. Representation is so important, and Young, Gifted, and Black [19] ($14) will show your child that they can do and be anything.
Dad, Who Will I Be? by G. Todd Taylor
Introduce heroes of colour at an early age with this book that encourages your child to dream big about who they'll be when they grow up. Dad, Who Will I Be? [20] ($10) opens your child up to possible professions by showing people who look like them who've achieved the same goals.
Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? by Patrice McLaurin
Learn about all the contributions Black people have made with Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? [21] ($14). You'll follow a young boy as he highlights different inventions made by Black people that he uses throughout the day. Each inventor has a brief biography as well as an activity for your child to complete — a great way to encourage STEM learning, too.
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
Written by Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o, Sulwe [22] ($15) is a story about loving your skin colour. Sulwe is darker than everyone else in her family and longs to have lighter skin. But after taking a trip through the night sky, her eyes are opened to her beauty. A beautiful way to discuss colorism, this book will inspire your child to embrace who they are and love the skin they're in.
Look What Brown Can Do! by T. Marie Harris
Remind your children that their black, or brown, skin is beautiful with a book that encourages them to think outside the box about what they want to do when they grow up. Look What Brown Can Do! [23] ($10) celebrates all the things Black children can grow up to do. And who knows, your little one might even have their career picked out by the end of the book.
Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin
Who said Snow White can't be Black? That's exactly what Tameika thought when her school announced their next musical as Snow White and she decided to audition for the lead role. Not Quite Snow White [24] ($13) highlights the importance of self-confidence, encourageing all young readers to let their talents shine, no matter what others say.