Part 2 of our Black Lives Matter series focuses on joyful Black children’s books by Black authors and illustrators. Check out these phenomenal books, and read them with your kids today!
Joyful Black children’s books by Black creators
“Joy is revolutionary.”
Denene Millner — author, journalist, and publisher extraordinaire — spoke these words at the Kidlit Rally for Black Lives, which struck me deeply. Millner spoke about the importance of sharing books with children that showcase beautiful Black and Brown kids being just that — kids. For every book we share with children about Black history and topics such as slavery, segregation, Jim Crow, and the fight for civil rights, Millner said we should share three to four times that number of books showing Black boy joy and Black girl magic — books that depict kids of color in everyday situations, facing the ups and downs, wonders and exuberance of childhood.
Black children’s books honor and celebrate Black kids
Part 1 of our Black Lives Matter series focused on Children’s Books About Racism, Anti-Racism, and Identity. We curated that list of phenomenal books with an eye toward talking with children not only about the skin they are in, but how to stand up against racism and be an ally to the Black community.
This particular list, on the other hand, features books by Black authors that honor Black children in ordinary situations. These are the books that showcase Black kids simply being kids — kids going to school, snuggling with mom, getting haircuts and gathering for family celebrations — books that link all of us through universal experiences and emotions. These are the books — books celebrating Black joy — that will help us begin to eradicate stigma, challenge harmful stereotypes, and highlight important commonalities among all people, something we should strive for every single day as parents.
When we teach kids from the time they are young that learning about people of all colors and cultures is as inspiring as it is important — when we show them that diversity is beautiful and similarities always abound — we help bridge the perceived divides between us.
And when we do this, when we showcase Black joy during storytime, it helps children be less wary and fearful of differences — especially those having to do with the color of our skin. This is how we change the narrative.
Joy, after all, is revolutionary.
Without future ado, here is our list of joyful Black children’s books by Black creators, a list we hope you find as magical and meaningful as we do! Enjoy!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Books celebrating Black boy joy and Black girl magic help us eradicate stigma and challenge harmful stereotypes. They also highlight important commonalities among all people, something we should strive for every single day as parents. These books are vital to read with children, no matter what color skin you’re in!
Of course. We have two great lists for you to check out, including these kids’ books for Black History Month, and even more phenomenal Black history children’s books.
Yep! These tween novels with Black characters are absolutely fabulous, and I have no doubt your kids will love them!
We love these joyful Black children’s books!
A board book version of the best-selling Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, this is a perfect, simple book to introduce babies and toddlers to trail-blazing, strong women who have accomplished greatness in their respective fields. A perfect gift for a baby, and a fabulous diverse board book!
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In this beautiful celebration of black and brown babies, readers will be lulled to sleep by the lyrical, magical text. Containing five beautiful poems that honor love, family, and those early days of babyhood, this tender book hits all the right notes when you have a little one snuggled up to your chest. Warm and whimsical illustrations combine with gentle prose that makes this a read-aloud winner (especially if you love nursery rhyme books), and a perfect gift for new babies everywhere!
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Every parent will relate to this fun and funny book about a little girl giving her exhausted parents a run for their money. From eating sand to middle-of-the-night wake-ups, drawing on walls to not sharing balls, you will laugh, your kids will be delighted, and you will close the book with a big hug and a kiss. Can’t beat that now, can you? This is one of our favorite diverse baby books!
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With tenderness, humor, and gorgeous collaged artwork, this is the story of a mother and daughter who set out to spend a special day together, only to have it turned upside down. When their new hairdos, storytime date, and afternoon picnic all get ruined, Mom is on the brink of despair. Leave it to her child, with warmth and a healthy dose of optimism, to remind Mom that being together is all that matters, and their Saturday dates are always a gift, even if they don’t go according to plan. Between the mother-daughter relationship, the child’s resilience, and the exquisite illustrations, this one is an absolute gem!
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There are so many books about beautiful rainbows and bright colors, but let’s not forget the beauty of black and brown! This is a beautiful new book that gives warmth and vibrance to two colors that are so often overlooked in kids’ books: black and brown. Exquisite illustrations feature a little girl experiencing joy with her family and nature as she journeys through her day and experiences Autumn in all its glory. It captures the richness and depth of two significant colors and is a perfect read-aloud to celebrate Black joy. Gorgeous!
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This one blew me away on the first read-through, with its striking illustrations, fabulous pacing, and breathtakingly phenomenal voice. From the very first sentence, Barnes transports his readers right into barbershop culture through vivid details that come to life with brilliant authenticity. It celebrates self-confidence and self-worth, a beautiful window into one boy’s transformation upon getting his hair cut that makes him feel recognized and powerful. The voice, the word choice, the rhythm – it is all astonishingly perfect. For our full review of Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, click here!
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Holy smokes, is this book extraordinarily gorgeous! In this anthem to Black girls, this book celebrates and explores Black girl magic. Despite the many messages seeking to convince Black girls to shrink themselves, this exquisite Black children’s book encourages kids to know their worth, value, and excellence. It is at once empowering and brilliant, showing young readers they can be Black, beautiful, and positively glorious. This is an absolute stunner.
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This beautiful Black children’s book conveys the message that Black is everywhere, in everything, in everyone. It is in the sky and the soil, in family and in praise and in protest. It is in joyful hearts and voices, and it is most certainly in love. This book is stunning, both in prose and picture, and it celebrates the beauty and resilience of Blackness.
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Oh, how I love this book! This beautiful and poignant story is told by various narrators who discover their beauty as they witness the everyday wonders around them. It is both a celebration of the skin you’re in as well as community, family, and play, told in rich poetry I fell in love with in an instant. As if the gorgeous prose isn’t enough, the illustrations make this one a standout, depicting an array of kids of all ages and abilities, instantly embracing every child within its warm pages. No matter what your children look like, you will adore this vibrant story, reminding us that beauty is all around — and if you look closely enough, you’ll find that beauty within you, too.
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When Lil Alan, his parents, and siblings go “down home,” they head to Granny’s house, where a big family reunion allows them to celebrate each other and their ancestors. Each child is tasked with finding a memorable way to pay tribute to their family history, but Lil Alan just can’t think of anything to share! This gorgeous book celebrates past and present, traditions and celebrations, and a warm, multigenerational family. Stunning!
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A young girl has no interest in sleeping in her own room at bedtime (*ahem* nope, can’t relate to that one at all!) and wants only to sleep in her parents’ room in bed with her mom. So what does the girl do? She gifts her dad a camping cot and attempts to convince him that he should sleep there instead of his actual bed where he belongs. I love how relatable this story is for families, and bonus points for helping kids learn to frame an argument and justify their positions, too! For our full review of The Big Bed, click here!
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In this twist on the Mother Goose nursery rhyme, Mary is a style maven who helps other nursery rhyme characters get their glam on. But will they be too dressed up for recess? A total hoot, especially for your budding fashionistas who love planning a good outfit! For more fabulous children’s books about clothing, click here!
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Just when you think back to school books are all the same, a new one comes out and blows the others out of the water with its unique spin and beautiful voice. This story of a young boy ready to make his mark on kindergarten is fresh, unique, and oh-so-fun! If you are looking for books about starting kindergarten, this book is perfect for you. For our full review of The King of Kindergarten, click here!
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What do you do when you love the theater, and an audition for Snow White is coming up? Tameika dives in head first, of course. She can’t wait to finally play a princess! But then Tameika starts hearing snickers from the other kids. Tameika is too chubby, too tall, and too brown to play Snow White. Will Tameika let these nay-sayers turn her away from playing a part she so desperately wants? We love the way this story showcases a young girl finding her courage in the midst of a major confidence shake-up!
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This is a fabulous concept book that takes place in a bustling Nigerian market as a mother and her toddler shop for food. Baby is so cute that all the vendors can’t help but give him treats! As Mama’s basket keeps getting heavier and heavier, Mama can’t help but worry that Baby is getting hungry. Little does she know that Baby having the time of his life, eating the special foods he’s been given, and putting some into Mama’s basket as well!
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Not only is Hair Love an ode to loving your natural characteristics – such as Zuri’s hair that kinks, coils, and curls every which way — but it is also a tender story of the things a father will do for his daughter and the special love shared between them. When Daddy steps in to style sweet Zuri’s locks for a special occasion, he’s got a lot to learn. But for his girl, he will do whatever it takes to make her happy. Such a fun, sweet story showcasing a father’s love and devotion to his daughter!
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When Mama catches Libby in her very first lie, she promises to herself that from now on, she will only tell the truth. Soon, she’s telling everything about everyone! But even though she may be speaking the truth, some of these truths actually hurt — and everyone seems to be mad at her. Ruthie eventually gets a dose of her own medicine, and it’s then that she learns there is a right way — and a wrong way — to tell the truth!
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If you like poetry, you will LOVE this gorgeous collection! At once tender, funny, and powerful, this poetry book for kids is a sentimental celebration of fathers by a Coretta Scott King honor-winning poet. Told from a child’s perspective, this collection celebrates the heartwarming, everyday moments that fill our lives with magic and meaning, from guitar playing to wrestling matches to snuggling together in bed. I just love it.
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This is a quiet beauty about a young Muslim girl who plays dress-up in her mother’s colorful headscarf. It is a gorgeous and oh-so-important mirror book for Muslim children and a wonderful window book for others, especially as it so elegantly challenges Islamaphobic chatter. We love how children’s books about clothing can teach kids about other cultures and religions! Mommy’s Khimar exudes warmth, love, and tenderness, and it is a relatable story for so many kids.
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A group of children assemble on a field and get ready for a game of soccer. They have their bol (ball), soulye (shoes) and goal (goal), and just like that, they are off! Paul weaves Creole words into the narrative, and the story simply buzzes with energy, from the vibrant illustrations to the fast-paced game, reminding us that we can weather all challenges, no matter how daunting they may seem. If your athletes love children’s books about sports, they will adore this one!
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I have long adored Edwidge Danticat’s writing and was so excited to see this beautiful new story about “Mommy Medicine,” the best antidote for any child’s illness! From yummy cups of hot chocolate to warm bubble baths, from card games to bedtime songs and stories made up with love, this tender book celebrates how mom has the uncanny ability to heal any sickness with love, tenderness, and an unlimited amount of snuggles for her baby.
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What a joy this book is! Putting a new spin on the phrase “hands up” — which could often be viewed in the negative — this story instead shows all the ways a joyful Black child puts her hands up as she grows. From greeting the sun to reaching for a book to, eventually, raising those hands in protest at a march, this Black children’s book celebrates this loaded phrase and all the ways we throw our hands up in joy and strength.
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Grandma Mimi is coming! And though she always brings oodles of hugs and treats, nothing is better than… Grandma’s purse! There’s no guessing what is inside Grandma’s magical, mystical bag. Whether it’s fancy jewelry, souvenirs from around the world, or other magical treasures, chances are, that purse will contain something special, something that will transform an ordinary day into one that is extraordinary! We love this children’s books about grandparents!
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What a fabulous way to teach the ABCs! We adore this fabulous concept book, a celebration of Black children that is exuberant, positive, and oh-so-much fun. From A for Afro to M for Melanin to W for Worthy, this is an alphabet book like you have never seen before, one that honors Black childhood and teaches children to love the skin they are in.
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My boys love this book so much! Whether your kids have straight blonde hair or awesome fro-hawks, this fun book celebrates a diverse array of awesome Black hairstyles, sure to please any little guy in your home. It is filled with vibrant illustrations of radiant Black boys looking confident and stylish with their ‘dos. The epitome of Black Boy Joy, this Black children’s book is such fun and impossible not to love as it fills kids with confidence and helps them see the beauty in their natural features and characteristics.
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Black may not be a color in the rainbow, but it is a beautiful, powerful rainbow color nonetheless. This gorgeous book showcases the elegance, beauty, and joy in the color black. From a friend’s braids to the tires on a bicycle to the robe on Thurgood Marshall’s back, black describes not only beloved things but also influential people who made our world a better place.
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This beautiful picture book provides a much-needed affirmation for kids (although, who am I kidding— it resonates so much with adults too!!) By encouraging children to believe in themselves, dream big dreams, and recognize their endless potential, this book is a gorgeous ode to self-empowerment, reminding all children that belief in themselves can trump any self-doubt or fear they harbor within. We all matter. There is value in each of our names. And this lovely book is a perfect read to share with children who need a reminder that they are strong, capable, and powerful.
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At the beginning of a new school year, Faizah knows it’s going to be a special one. After all, the first day of school means it’s Faizah’s big sister’s first day of hijab. Her sister chooses a hijab of luxurious blue, but Faizah quickly learns that not everyone views the hijab as beautifully as she does. This extraordinary book shows children how to stand strong in the face of bullying, and that family bonds — especially those shared between sisters — are unbreakable. We love this breathtaking story — it is a necessary and important mirror book for some children and a powerful window book for others.
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So many of us have felt anxiety upon standing in a doorway about to enter a room where the blanket of faces staring back at us looks wholly different from our own. This book tells the story of a young girl who enters a new classroom and finds no one like her. But eventually, she sits down and her classmates begin talking, and as their words fill the air, shared sentiments become bridges to building connections. A breathtaking read, both in pictures and prose. For our full review of The Day You Begin, click here!
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All children need to be empowered and encouraged to live and pursue their dreams, and this forty-year-old poem by Perkins, a leader of the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s and 70s, is an ode to Black children, inspiring them to do just that! Lyrically written and exquisitely illustrated, this prose reminds Black kids to go after their goals, whether they want to be astronauts or artists. With illustrations depicting the civil rights and Black Lives Matter movements, this powerful Black children’s book is a joy to read and reminds kids that Black is beautiful, strong, and perfect.
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