Black History Month: Children's Books

Updated February 1, 2024
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Life doesn't frighten me
Angelou, Maya.
Paper Book
Maya Angelou's brave poem is illustrated by the paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Angelou is well-known for her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Biographies of the artists are included.
I am Ruby Bridges
Bridges, Ruby
Paper Book
Ruby Bridges tells her story as never before and shares the events of the momentous day in 1960 when Ruby became the first Black child to integrate the all-white William Franz Elementary as a six year old little girl -- a personal and intimate look through a child's lens at a landmark moment in...
I am enough
Byers, Grace
Paper Book
Like the sun, I'm here to shine... I Am Enough is the book everyone needs--a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to each other--from actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer Keturah A. Bobo.
A library
Giovanni, Nikki
Paper Book
In this lyrical picture book, world-renowned poet, New York Times bestselling author, and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Nikki Giovanni and fine artist Erin Robinson craft an ode to the magic of a library as a place not only for knowledge but also for imagination,...
Little leaders : bold women in black history
Harrison, Vashti
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Meet the little leaders. They're brave. They're bold. They changed the world. Featuring 40 trailblazing black women in history, this book educates and inspires as it relates true stories of women...
Amazing Grace
Hoffman, Mary
Paper Book
When Grace's teacher tells her that the school play is to be Peter Pan, Grace immediately wants the main part. You can't be Peter Pan, says Natalie. He wasn't black. But Grace's Nana thinks differently. You can be anything you want, Grace, if you put your mind to it.
Malcolm Little : the boy who grew up to become Malcolm X
Shabazz, Ilyasah.
Paper Book
Malcolm X grew to be one of America's most influential figures. But first, he was a boy named Malcolm Little. Written by his daughter, this inspiring picture book biography celebrates a vision of freedom and justice. Bolstered by the love and wisdom of his large, warm family,...
Hidden figures : the true story of four black women and the space race
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Paper Book
Based on the New York Times bestselling book and the Academy Award-nominated movie, author Margot Lee Shetterly and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award winner Laura Freeman bring the incredibly inspiring true story of four black women who helped NASA launch men into space to...
In daddy's arms I am tall : African Americans celebrating fathers
Steptoe, Javaka
Paper Book
Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe Twelve poets give testimony to the powerful bond between African American fathers, children and grandchildren in the brilliantly illustrated volume.
Radiant child : the story of young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Steptoe, Javaka
Paper Book
Somewhere in Brooklyn, a little boy dreams of being a famous artist, not knowing that one day he would make himself a king. Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had...
The night is yours
Zachariah, Abdul-Razak
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling illustrator of I Am Enough, this glowing, empowering picture book about a nighttime hide-and-seek game celebrates blackness and self-confidence. Little one, so calm and so happy, the darkness of the night is yours like the...

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