Children's Book Suggestions | Black History Month Picture Books

Fiction and nonfiction picture books by pioneering Black authors and illustrators featured in this month's scavenger hunt.

Updated December 16, 2023
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Why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears : a West African tale
Aardema, Verna.
Paper Book
"In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster. "Elegance has become the Dillons' hallmark. . . . Matching the art is Aardema's uniquely onomatopoeic text . . . An impressive showpiece." -Booklist, starred review. Winner of...
Grandma's tiny house : a counting story!
Brown-Wood, JaNay
Paper Book
Chicago Public Library's 2017 Best of the Best Books selection "A fine addition to book collections about families, food, counting, and joyous gatherings" - The Horn Book This sweet, rhyming counting book introduces young readers to numbers one through fifteen...
Max and the tag-along moon
Cooper, Floyd.
Paper Book
Max loves his grandpa and Grandpa loves Max. So when Max has to say goodbye to Grandpa at the end of his trip, Grandpa reminds Max that the same moon that is above them at Grandpa's house is the very same moon that will follow him all the way home. On the way home, Max watches as the moon tags along...
Firebird : ballerina Misty Copeland shows a young girl how to dance like the firebird
Copeland, Misty
Paper Book
In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl--an every girl--whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work...
Sail away : poems
Hughes, Langston
Paper Book
A celebration of mermaids, wildernesses of waves, and the creatures of the deep through poems by Langston Hughes and cut-paper collage illustrations by multiple Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan. The great African American poet Langston Hughes penned poem after poem...
Last stop on Market Street
de la Peña, Matt
Paper Book
#1 New York Times Bestseller A USA Today Bestseller Winner of the Newbery Medal A Caldecott Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Century
Going down home with Daddy
Lyons, Kelly Starling
Paper Book
Set at one young boy's annual family reunion, this Caldecott Honor-winning picture book is a rich and moving celebration of Black history, culture, and the power of family traditions. "On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases...
Heart and soul : the story of America and African Americans
Nelson, Kadir.
Paper Book
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...
The little mermaid
Pinkney, Jerry
Paper Book
In this captivating reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen's classic, Caldecott medalist and bestselling artist Jerry Pinkney conjures a poignant friendship story and an epic tale of redemption -- the definitive new version for our time. Melody, the littlest sea...
The old truck
Pumphrey, Jarrett
Paper Book
When is an old truck something more? On a small, bustling farm, a resilient and steadfast pickup works tirelessly alongside the family that lives there, and becomes a part of the dreams and ambitions of the family's young daughter. After long days and years of hard work leave the old truck...

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