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Storytime was one of my son’s favorite evening rituals when he was young, and nothing made him light up more than when the stories had characters whose faces looked like his. I was intentional about selecting books by African American authors and illustrators and believe that early exposure fostered his continual love for reading.
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According to a Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, 47% of parents say they, too, want books for their children that feature characters of color. The need for diverse literature led Asha Grant to open The Salt Eaters Bookshop in Inglewood, California in December 2021. The name is derived from the novel The Salt Eaters by Toni Cade Bambara, a leading voice in the Black feminist movement. “Black women writers and thinkers changed my life and have also propelled – and continue to propel – our society forward,” says Grant, a Spelman College graduate. “It was important for me to create a space that could house these offerings spread across all genres for folks of all ages to access easily.”
In honor of Black History Month (and every month, really), SheKnows has assembled a roundup of 40 beautifully written and illustrated children’s books by African American creatives that will make perfect additions to your home library.
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Joy Takes Root
Image Credit: Kokila Joy learns that plants are friends with many uses and so much more about the earth’s heartbeat and its connection to her own as she works in her grandmother’s garden.
Joy Takes Root$7 $18.99 63% Off
on Amazon.com
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Elijah’s Easter Suit
Image Credit: Doubleday Books for Young Readers Elijah is on a mission to find the perfect Easter church outfit. When failed attempts leave him disappointed, he creates his own masterpiece in this story with themes of church, Black culture, and understanding those who came before him.
Elijah’s Easter Suit$18.99 $18.99
on Amazon.com
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The Light She Feels Inside
Image Credit: Sourcebooks Maya feels a warm glow when she picks strawberries in the community garden, hears music in her neighborhood, or spends time with the people she loves, and a different glow when facing hardships until she learns about important women who help her get her glow back.
The Light She Feels Inside$18.99
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We’re The Same, We’re Different, & We All Belong
Image Credit: Force For Good Media Marnie is a spunky multiracial kindergartener who learns about the concept of diversity (e.g. race, size, accent, learning styles). This book teaches kids 3-5, 6-8 about kindness, acceptance, empathy, and that differences are only one part of a person’s unique story.
We’re The Same, We’re Different, & We All Belong$9.97 $9.97
on Amazon.com
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The Spark In You
Image Credit: Random House Studio Set against the vibrant backdrop of Carnival, a little girl uses her creative energy to get ready for the big parade. It’s a story that celebrates individual expression and creativity as well as the festival’s explosion of light, color, and flavor.
The Spark In You$18.99 $18.99
on Amazon.com
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The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music
Image Credit: Random House Children’s Books Little Roberta didn’t have fancy clothes or expensive toys, but . When her daddy spies an old upright piano, he brings it home and soon the little girl has an instrument to practice on and a dream that makes her a music legend. For readers ages 4–8.
The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music$18.99
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Something, Someday
Image Credit: Viking Books for Young Readers Presidential inaugural poet and bestselling author Amanda Gorman and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Christian Robinson create a timeless message of hope.
Something, Someday$9.49 $18.99 50% Off
on Amazon.com
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Hair Love ABCs
Image Credit: Penguin Young Readers Group A is for Afro, N is for Natural, and W is for Waves. Readers follow Zuri and her father letter by letter in this alphabet board book on their joy-filled journey through the kinks and curls of Black hair. From the award-winning author and illustrator duo of Hair Love. Ideal for children three months to three years old.
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Ari J.’s Firefly Rescue
Image Credit: Orange Hat Publishing Sitting on the porch one night, Ari J. notices twinkles flash across the yard. As she wonders what they are, her grandfather tells her that there have been fairy sightings. Ari learns lessons about compassion and connecting with nature.
Ari J.’s Firefly Rescue$14.99
on Amazon.com
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Mama’s Sleeping Scarf
Image Credit: Knopf Peeking through the colorful haze of Mama’s silky scarf, Chino and her toy bunny discover her family’s daily routines in this touching story about the everyday objects that remind us of the ones we love.
Mama’s Sleeping Scarf$16.10 $18.99 15% Off
on Amazon.com
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Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day
Image Credit: Random House Books for Young Readers Actors and parents Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill teach children about the magic of self-love, confidence, and standing firm, regardless of outside voices and doubt.
Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day$9.49 $18.99 50% Off
on Amazon.com
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Sydney’s Big Speech
Image Credit: HarperCollins Sydney hopes to be a great leader one day. There’s just one problem—when she tries to speak to her class, she gets nervous, and the words just won’t come out. Her journey includes practice, encouragement, and a dose of inspiration from some historic luminaries.
Sydney’s Big Speech$19.99 $19.99
on Amazon.com
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I Am Somebody
Image Credit: Running Press Kids I Am Somebody takes the reader on a journey for a day as the main character notices various forms of neglect and injustice and realizes she has the power to effect change.
I Am Somebody$14.53 $17.99 19% Off
on Amazon.com
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Mama’s Library Summers
Image Credit: Cameron Kids Every summer, Mama takes her daughters to the library to pick out books about Black people that were not taught in schools in the 1960s. They make a beeline to gather up the library’s limit: 10 books each.
Mama’s Library Summers$18.99 $18.99
on Amazon.com
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Harlem at Four
Image Credit: Random House In this two-part picture book, readers meet Harlem: the girl and the neighborhood. Part one follows Harlem and her single father as they go on a museum “playdate”. Part two takes readers to the fourth year of the twentieth century to Harlem the neighborhood and all its rich history. Ideal for readers 4–8.
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Reclaiming a Charged Phrase
Image Credit: Puffin Books A simple-yet-powerful book perfect for ages 4-8, Hands Up! follows a young Black girl through a lifetime of all the joyful ways in which she puts her hands up: playing, praising, greeting the sun. It takes an expression that has been charged with negative meaning and sweetly empowers young readers to reclaim it, making it into something positive.
Hands Up!$8.63 $8.99 4% Off
on Amazon.com
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A Mystery, a Fortune, and a Quest
Image Credit: Arthur A. Levine Books Middle grade readers (ages 9-12) will love this riveting book by award-winning author Varian Johnson, which follows the story of two kids, a mysterious old letter, and a fortune promised to the person who solves a decades-old puzzle. The Parker Inheritance not only a mystery, but a rich multigenerational family story and an exploration of 20th-century race relations.
The Parker Inheritance$7.19
on Amazon.com
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Celebration of All Things Brown & Beautiful
Image Credit: Tilbury House Publishers Magnificent Homespun Brown is a lyrical, poetic celebration of brown skin — and the way it connects to nature and family. Written by second-generation Haitian Samara Cole Doyon and gorgeously rendered by Kaylani Juanita, the book has won multiple awards, including being a 2021 Coretta Scott King honoree. A perfect read for ages 6-8.
Magnificent Homespun Brown$14.42 $16.95 15% Off
on Amazon.com
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A Love Letter to Boys of Color
Image Credit: The Imagination Agency Written by NFL pro Martellus Bennett, who uses his sports platform to encourage youth to dream big, Dear Black Boy (ages 2-6) is an encouraging letter to young boys of color reminding them of their vast potential — and of the qualities they can draw on to reach it.
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Imagine the Possibilities
Image Credit: Visionary Press From scientist to astronaut to tennis player, join one curly-haired little girl’s exploration of all her potential career choices. This uplifting and motivational story by Valerie Thompkins is a #1 bestseller in several categories, and is beautifully illustrated by Abira Das.
‘Girls Like Me’$11.69 $12.99 10% Off
on Amazon.com
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A Little Sugar
Image Credit: Cottage Door Press The lyrical prose in this board book by Kevin Lewis, paired with charming illustrations by Jestenia Southerland, make it a perfect story time read-aloud for little ones. Its rhythm and rhyme encourage toddler language development and pattern recognition, too.
‘Brown Sugar Baby’$7.87 $9.99 21% Off
on Amazon.com
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Powerful People
Image Credit: Penguin Young Readers. Debut author Traci N. Todd and illustrator Christian Robinson crafted the first-ever American picture book biography of singer Nina Simone. The book tells the story of a little girl named Eunice, who would grow up to become Nina Simone, one of the most celebrated singers of her time. The story chronicles her rise to fame and the lasting legacy she left behind. This picture book will undoubtedly teach children resilience and the power of one person’s voice.
‘Nina: A Story of Nina Simone’$11.52 $18.99 39% Off
on Amazon.com
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The Sweetest Bond
Image Credit: Akashic Books. Based on a song of the same name by Grammy award-winning musician, author, philanthropist, reggae icon, and dad Ziggy Marley, this book is a tribute to Ziggy’s own pet dog Romeo. The story tells the sweet tale of a boy and his beloved four-legged friend. The vibrant picture book will inspire little ones as follow these two sharing their love of music and play.
‘My Dog Romeo’$5.12 $16.95 70% Off
on Amazon.com
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Accepting Differences
Image Credit: Akashic Books. In addition to releasing the picture book My Dog Romeo, Ziggy Marley — along with his wife Orly Marley — wrote this story filled with memorable characters. Little John Crow is a vulture growing up in Jamaica. When he is abandoned by his animal friends, he has to learn what it really means to be a part of a community. Best for ages 3 to 8.
‘Little John Crow’$14.35
on Amazon.com
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Hair Love for the Youngest Crowd
Image Credit: Little Simon. Joining in the catalog of hairspiration for Black youth is Curls, a board book written by poet Ruth Forman and illustrated by Geneva Bowers. It’s never too early for kids to learn to love themselves and others’ differences. (Baby and up.)
‘Curls’$5.15 $8.99 43% Off
on Amazon.com
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Keeping the Inaugural Spirit Going
Image Credit: Viking Books for Young Readers Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s first children’s book, Change Sings, is a great addition to our children’s reading list. Illustrated by Loren Long, this story follows a young girl leading others as they all learn that everyone has the power to make change. Ages 4-8.
‘Change Sings’$9.49 $18.99 50% Off
on Amazon.com
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The Lion & the Mouse
Image Credit: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers There are almost no words in this retelling of the Rudyard Kipling story, The Lion and the Mouse, by the legendary children’s illustrator Jerry Pinkney. And that’s kind of the point: The concept of returning a good favor doesn’t need words, and it’s something even the littlest non-readers can grasp.
The Lion & the Mouse$11.39 $18.99 40% Off
on Amazon.com
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Black Is a Rainbow Color
Image Credit: Roaring Brook Press Angela Joy’s Black Is a Rainbow Color captures the nuances of what Black culture really is — not just beauty, but strength and endurance — in a way young children can understand. Illustrator Ekua Holmes inserts images of Black historical figures into the mix, too.
Black Is a Rainbow Color$10.32 $18.99 46% Off
on Amazon.com
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What Is Given from the Heart
Image Credit: What Is Given from the Heart Parents might have a bit of trouble choking back the tears as they read Patricia C. McKissack’s story, What Is Given from the Heart, of a young boy who tries to comfort his mother after his dad dies and they lose their farm. When their church starts a collection for another family who’s lost everything in a fire, he tries to find something to give.
What Is Given from the Heart$11.49 $18.99 39% Off
on Amazon.com
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Imani’s Moon
Image Credit: Charlesbridge In Janay Brown-Wood’s Imani’s Moon, tiny Maasai girl Imani has a huge dream: to go to the moon. Her courage in the face of teasing makes us think she totally could do it, too.
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Radiant Child
Image Credit: Radiant Child When we see Basquiat’s work, it is easy to imagine the kind of work he must have made as a child. Radiant Child, an award-winning picture book by Javaka Steptoe imagines what was going on in his head as he dreamed of being an artist one day.
Radiant Child$11.99 $18.99 37% Off
on Amazon.com
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Happy to Be Nappy
Image Credit: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Not all feminist theorists can write children’s books, we assure you. But when bell hooks celebrates Black girls’ hair, you might forget she does anything else. Happy to Be Nappy is a joyous read with playful and powerful affirmations about all kinds of short, long, curly, coily, nappy, twisty, bouncy and beautiful hair. s
Happy to Be Nappy$6.99 $8.99 22% Off
on Amazon.com
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Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea
Image Credit: Balzer + Bray As little girls, Meena Harris’ mom, Maya, and aunt, Kamala, decided to turn their apartment courtyard into a playground. Thus two community leaders were born — and one went on to become vice president — and we think a few future ones might follow after reading this book, Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea.
‘Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea’$9.49 $18.99 50% Off
on Amazon.com
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The Undefeated
Image Credit: Versify. With stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson, Kwame Alexander turns The Undefeated, his “love letter to Black America,” into an award-winning children’s book. It celebrates the hardships, survival, and victory of being Black in this country.
The Undefeated$10.51 $17.99 42% Off
on Amazon.com
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Parker Looks Up
Image Credit: Alladin The moment preschooler Parker Curry saw Michelle Obama’s portrait at the National Portrait Gallery was life-changing in two ways: The little girl saw herself represented with all those important people, and the photo of that moment also went viral, so she eventually got to meet Obama herself. Fortunately, this book by her mom, Jessica Curry, is about the moving gallery moment, not social media fame.
Parker Looks Up$10.69 $18.99 44% Off
on Amazon.com
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Princess Cupcake Jones & The Missing Tutu
Image Credit: Belle Publishing LLC. The willful and imaginative princess and her wise queen mother will remind kids and parents of each other, for sure. In the first of this series by Ylleya Fields, Princess Cupcake Jones searches for her favorite tutu and finds other treasures along the way. s
Princess Cupcake Jones and the Missing Tutu$16.95
on Amazon.com
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You Matter
Image Credit: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. In You Matter, award-winning illustrator Robinson shows children all the ways in which small, unseen things, and even small children, are important in the world. We actually might all need to read this as a pick-me-up once in a while.
You Matter$9.89 $17.99 45% Off
on Amazon.com
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Firebird
Image Credit: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers Copeland lifts the spirits of a young ballerina suffering from self-doubt in Firebird. Christopher Myers’ illustrations make us feel like we’re in a box seat watching the American Ballet Theatre star perform Stravinksy’s The Firebird just for us.
Firebird$10.69 $18.99 44% Off
on Amazon.com
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The Day You Begin
Image Credit: Nancy Paulsen Books. Children know what it’s like to feel different. The Day You Begin, a poetic picture book written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López, is about how you shouldn’t shrink back from your differences; instead, let the world make space for you.
The Day You Begin$11.27 $18.99 41% Off
on Amazon.com
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A Child’s Introduction to African American History
Image Credit: Black Dog & Leventhal. This beautiful and easy-to-read history book takes children from the slave trade through to the Black Lives Matter movement (it was published in 2018). A Child’s Introduction to African American History is both context and inspiration, with examples of great men and women who have changed the world, too.
A Child’s Introduction to African American History$11.69 $19.99 42% Off
on Amazon.com
