As we celebrate Black History Month all month long, we’re taking a look at one of our favorite topics—children’s books. There is no better way to honor African American culture than by teaching our children about the past and present than through stories. So here we’ve curated a short list of new and notable picture books that honor Black history, culture and beauty. Many of these titles you can borrow from your local library or find on the shelves at some of DFW’s kid-friendly independent bookstores.
Encouraging reading at an early age fosters empathy and critical thinking skills. Need some help holding your kids’ attention during story time? Don’t miss our recent feature “Raising a Child Who Loves to Read” with tips for every age group.
Antiracist Baby
Written by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
Recommended reading age: 3 months–3 years
Published 2020
Why we love this book: This New York Times number one bestseller— inspired by Kendi’s own 4-year-old daughter—seamlessly blends colorfully bold illustrations with simple lessons in equality. This much-talked-about story shares nine simple steps to offset racism and embrace diversity, making it easy to understand for even the youngest readers. And it’s available as both a board book and as a full-sized picture book. Learn more at penguinrandomhouse.com.
Black Girls: A Celebration of You!
Written by Dominique Furukawa and illustrated by Erika Lynne Jones
Recommended reading age: 0–8 years
Published 2023
Why we love this book: Last summer, we got to know Erika Lynne Jones, illustrator and Plano mom of three girls, when we featured her in our August/September issue’s Mom Next Door profile. In Black Girls, this uplifting read rejoices in Black girlhood by applauding a variety of all shades, sizes, backgrounds and interests. Kids will love the rhythmic prose and joyful illustrations. Learn more at harpercollins.com.
The ABCs of Black History
Written by Rio Cortez and illustrated by Lauren Semmer
Recommended reading age: 2–8 years
Published 2020
Why we love this book: From A for anthem to Z for zenith, this bright and bold book follows the alphabet to teach kids about Black history and Black culture. This New York Times bestseller covers a range of topics, Civil Rights issues, and historical characters and includes more details about each letter and topic in the back of the book. Learn more at hachettebookgroup.com.
Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem
Written by Amanda Gorman and illustrated by Loren Long
Recommended reading age: 4–8 years
Published 2021
Why we love this book: Presidential inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman authors this inspiring children’s book. In beautifully written stanzas, this story follow a young girl who leads the other characters on a musical journey. In turn, the group learn the importance of inclusion and kindness. Learn more at penguinrandomhouse.com, and if your kids love it, follow it up with Gorman’s more recent children’s book Something, Someday.
Do You Know Them? Family Lost & Found After the Civil War
Written by Shana Keller and illustrated by Laura Freeman
Recommended reading age: 4–8 years
Published 2024
Why we love this book: This poignant story follows Lettie, a young Black girl in the Reconstruction era, as she embarks on a mission to find her families members and to help others do the same. She does this by purchasing newspaper ads as a way to spread the word that she and her community are looking for them—spouses, siblings, parents and children separated by enslavement and soldiers missing in action from the Civil War. While Lettie’s character and storyline are fictional, the newspaper ads are real, making the story incredibly powerful. Learn more at simonandschuster.com.
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story
Recommended reading age: 4–8 years
Written by Alice Faye Duncan and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
Published 2022
Why we love this book: This joyful, brightly colored book explores the origin and progress story of Juneteenth from the perspective of Opal Lee, a Fort Worth native and longtime activist and who successfully advocated for Juneteenth to become a national holiday in 2021. This book tells her personal story and that of the holiday, from Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to its news reaching Galveston in 1865, to Lee’s own Civil Rights experience. It’s a celebratory tale of bravery and using your voice to inspire change. Learn more at thomasnelson.com.
Follow the Drinking Gourd
Recommended reading age: 7–9 years
Written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter
Published 1992
Why we love this book: For 30-plus years, this picture book has been a staple in Black history education. Texas native, Jeanette Winter, tells the story of the Underground Railroad and how escaping slaves used a song called the Drinking Gourd (the Big Dipper, which points to the North Star) to navigate their way north. The story is sure to get kid’s attention as the subjects soldier on, creating a sense of urgency for them to cross over into freedom. Learn more at penguinrandomhouse.com.
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
Recommended reading age: 7–10 years
Written by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson and illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
Published 2021
Why we love this book: This lyrical picture book, written by both a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist (Hannah-Jones) and a Newbery honor-winning author (Watson), is part of the New York Times Magazine’s The 1619 Project. The story begins in a classroom with a family tree assignment and explores how slavery began by capturing Africans against their will and bringing them to America on slave ships across the Atlantic Ocean. The illustrations capture their sorrow but also the beauty and power of Black cultures. Learn more at penguinrandomhouse.com.
Beautiful Shades of Brown: The Art of Laura Wheeler Waring
Recommended reading age: 7–11 years
Written by Nancy Churnin and illustrated by Felicia Marshall
Published 2020
Why we love this book: This one comes from Dallas’ own Nancy Churnin, who covered theater and children’s entertainment for years for The Dallas Morning News and now writes superb children’s books. Beautiful Shades of Brown tells the story of 19th-century artist, Laura Wheeler Waring, who created portraits of famous African Americans, from writers and singers to political activists and thinkers, of her time. This picture book of beautifully textured illustrations chronicles Waring’s grit and determination and also demonstrates the importance of representation. Learn more at crestonbooks.co.
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
Recommended reading age: 6–10 years
Written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Published 2013
Why we love this book: Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor, Heart and Soul takes a look back through time, from slavery through the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras. The book’s narrator is a 100-year-old African American woman who teaches that the heart and soul of the United States is liberty and justice, and freedom must be fought for. This book has all of the makings of a classic, as Nelson’s stunning paintings evoke a sense of pride and hope in his readers. Learn more at harpercollins.com.
Are your kids interested in writing their own books or even one day starting their own businesses? Don’t miss Entrepreneurship in the Black Community, a virtual Zoom meeting led by children’s book author Franklin C. Edwards of Black-owned Franklin Books, a one-of-a-kind bookstore inside The Shops at Willow Bend mall in Plano.
This online informational meeting is specifically tailored to kids 10–12, and held Friday, February 23, 2024 from 5:30–6pm. It will cover how Black entrepreneurs through have worked hard to build successful businesses, such as Madam C.J. Walker, who a century ago created hair care products, and Tyler Perry, who built a modern media empire.
Organizers tell us that their Zoom link will be added to their website soon, but you can join by clicking here or typing in this information: Meeting ID: 844 2404 9104, with passcode: LD3iJk.
RELATED: Kid-Friendly Reading Spaces in DFW
Top images courtesy of Creston Books, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publisher, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins Christian Publishing
