February is Black History Month! First implemented in 1925 to raise awareness of African American contributions to civilization, the week-long event became a month-long celebration in 1976.
That year, President Gerald R. Ford said to Americans, “Seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
In honor of this historical holiday, check out these ten children’s books about Black history you can read with your family!
The ABCs of Black History
Rio Cortez & Lauren Semmer
“H” is for Harlem, “P” is for power, and “X” is for Malcom X! Learn all about Black history with letters of the alphabet, memorable rhymes, and colorful artwork.
Carter Reads the Newspaper
Deborah Hopkinson & Don Tate
This award-winning read tells the story of Carter G. Woodson, the Harvard-educated historian who pioneered the foundation of Black History Month. Born to formerly enslaved parents after the Civil War, Carter read the newspaper to his father—and many others—to help them stay informed about important issues!
Hair Love
Matthew A. Cherry & Vashti Harrison
This tender tale showcases the special connection between a daughter and her dad, who has a lot to learn when it comes to styling her hair. Check out the award-winning short film Hair Love to match!
Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?
Patrice McLaurin & Dian Wang
Join this journey that follows the day of a young school boy, who learns about the Black inventors behind the important tools and supplies he uses every day!
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
Vashti Harrison
Spotlighting eighteen trailblazing Black women, this adorably illustrated book shares the stories of everyday women who accomplished extraordinary things—against all odds, in a world that didn’t always accept them.
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History
Vashti Harrison
A companion to the book above, these pages are dedicated to the exceptional Black men! From aviators and artists to politicians and pop stars, read all about the impact these marvelous men had on history.
Mae Among the Stars
Roda Ahmed & Stasia Burrington
This starry story illustrates the curiosity, intelligence, and determination that led Little Mae—Mae Jemison—to become the first African American woman to explore outer space!
Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race
Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli & Isabel Roxas
Children start to pick up on race and racism as toddlers. Developed by experts in early childhood education and activism, this board book offers an opportunity to begin conversations in an informed, safe way!
The Undefeated
Kwame Alexander & Kadir Nelson
An ode to Black American triumph and tribulation, this powerful and poetic piece won the Caldecott Medal in 2020—among other awards! It highlights the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of our country’s greatest heroes.
Your Name Is a Song
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow & Luisa Uribe
Frustrated by the repeated mispronunciation of her name, a little girl and her mother take a lyrical walk through the city and explore the musicality of names. This sweet story reminds us all of the history, beauty, and magic behind our names!
Learn More with Libby
If you and your child have library cards, you can unlock unlimited access to millions of e-books, audiobooks, and other digital reads—including these black history month books for kids—through the Libby App!
You can connect to library catalogs from all around the world, which comes in handy when your local library doesn’t have what you’re looking for.
Not only is the Libby App free to use, but it’s available to add to your child’s Troomi phone! They can download their favorites for leisurely reading offline, create must-read lists, and more. (To see more of our KidSmart® Apps, click here!)
Which of these black history month books for kids will your family check out this month?