In honor of Black History Month, we celebrate African-American authors and how their stories highlight Black characters in everyday life and how they have overcome monumental challenges.
Children are always learning about the world, and books are one simple way we can teach them. They can see themselves and their experiences reflected on the pages and feel seen, heard, and valued.
“Stories are bridges connecting us to the unknown. They help us navigate the complexities of the human experience, offering both a mirror and a window into worlds that challenge,
inspire, and ultimately transform us,” shared author, Tananarive Due. Children’s books help little readers build their self-esteem and confidence by seeing themselves reflected in stories and illustrations. Representation of diverse characters ensures everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Author Jas
on Reynolds describes it like, “It’s hard to be what you can’t see.”
Here are 30 books to celebrate black History Month
1. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
2. Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney
3. The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
4. Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes
5. Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
6. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
7. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
8. I Am Enough by Grace Byers
9. The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
10. Brown Baby Lullaby by Tameka Fryer Brown
11. Tea Cakes for Tosh by Kelly Starling Lyons
12. Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate
13. The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural by Patricia McKissack
14. Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty
15. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
16. Remember: The Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison
17. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
18. The Magician’s Hat by Malcolm Mitchell
19. Honey, I Love by Eloise Greenfield
20. The Blacker the Berry by Floyd Cooper
21. Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe
22. Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester
23. Firebird by Misty Copeland
24. Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs
25. We March by Shane W. Evans
26. Freedom Over Me by Ashley Bryan
27. Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome
28. I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire Our Children by Marian Wright Edelman
29. Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown
30. These Hands by Margaret H. Mason
We’d love to hear from you! Which authors and/or books would you add to this list? Every person has a unique experience, and together we can educate the next generation one page at a time.
