African American Picture Books - Non-Fiction

Updated May 22, 2025
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How Sweet the Sound
Alexander, Kwame/ Palmer, Charly (ILT)
Paper Book
Featuring artists ranging from Miles Davis to Kendrick Lamar, dive into this stunningly illustrated celebration of the history of Black music in America by the award-winning author of The Undefeated. Listen to the sound of...
Greatness
Bethencourt, Regis/ Bethencourt, Kahran
Paper Book
Take a journey through Black history and find your greatness in this stunning book from the award-winning team behind the New York Times bestsellers Crowned and Glory. When Nasir and Imani step into their Grandma's studio,...
Fighting with love : the legacy of John Lewis
Cline-Ransome, Lesa
Paper Book
Five starred reviews! An ALA Notable Children's Book A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year The "informative, resounding" (Booklist, starred review), and "inspiring" (The Horn Book, starred review) story of a...
Everywhere beauty is Harlem : the vision of photographer Roy DeCarava
Golio, Gary
Paper Book
A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year A Kirkus Best Picture Book Biography CCBC Choices 2025 A Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Book of 2024 The New York Public Library Best...
Go Tell It : How James Baldwin Became a Writer
Harris, Quartez/ James, Gordon C. (ILT)
Paper Book
ROBERT F. SIBERT INFORMATIONAL BOOK AWARD HONOR *  A USA Today Bestseller!   Discover the story of young James Baldwin in this ode to the legendary writer and the power of the written word--with exquisite prose from acclaimed...
What I Must Tell the World : How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice
Leslie, Jay/ Wise, Loveis (ILT)
Paper Book
Lorraine Hansberry has had a direct influence on who we are, the stories we tell, and how we move in the world today. We are beyond delighted to share Jay's beautiful words and Loveis's stunning work, bringing this iconic visionary to life for the next generation of dreamers.' -Lena Waithe, Rishi...
Go forth and tell : the life of Augusta Baker, librarian and master storyteller
McDaniel, Breanna J.
Paper Book
Ezra Jack Keats Writer Award Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Kirkus Best Books of the Year Chicago Public Library Best Books of the Year New York Public Library Best Books of the Year ALSC Notable Children's Books Horn Book Fanfare BolognaRazzi Award...
Jimmy's rhythm & blues : the extraordinary life of James Baldwin
Meadows, Michelle
Paper Book
Celebrate James Baldwin's one-hundredth birthday anniversary with the first-ever illustrated biography of this legendary writer, orator, activist, and intellectual. Before he became a writer, James "Jimmy" Baldwin was a young boy from Harlem, New York, who loved stories. He found joy in...
Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?
Smith, Sherri L.
Paper Book
It's up, up, and away with the Tuskegee Airmen, a heroic group of African American military pilots who helped the United States win World War II. During World War II, black Americans were fighting for their country and for freedom in Europe, yet they had to endure a totally...
The teachers march! : how Selma's teachers changed history
Wallace, Sandra Neil
Paper Book
Demonstrating the power of protest and standing up for a just cause, here is an exciting tribute to the educators who participated in the 1965 Selma Teachers' March. Reverend F.D. Reese was a leader of the Voting Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama. As a teacher and principal, he...
A crown of stories : the life and language of beloved writer Toni Morrison
Weatherford, Carole Boston
Paper Book
From award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford comes a captivating picture book biography about the incredible life of esteemed author, editor, and activist Toni Morrison, featuring gorgeous illustrations by debut artist Khalif Tahir Thompson. How do you tell a story? Before...
Let us march on! : James Weldon Johnson and the Silent Protest Parade
Williams, Yohuru.
Paper Book
A moving and inspiring nonfiction picture book about James Weldon Johnson and the first mass all-Black march for civil rights in the United States when 10,000 Black protestors, including children, marched down New York's Fifth Avenue. James Weldon Johnson was a man of words. He...

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