Toys & Books

40+ Books Featuring Black Heroes That Every Kid Should Read

written by THE EVERYMOM EDITORS

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black history month books"
black history month books
Graphics by: Kirra Wallace
Graphics by: Kirra Wallace

There’s a notion that diverse children’s toys or diverse children’s books are only important for children from diverse backgrounds—but that is entirely untrue. It’s vital for all kids to see a true landscape of people reflected in their toys and books. And it’s important for us all to learn the vital contributions of the incredible humans who have come before us and live alongside us. It’s necessary for the lines between “us” and “other” to disappear completely. Books are not the only way to go about this work, but they are a start. When children are surrounded by diversity, it becomes a regular part of their life. So, be vigilant. Start young. Talk about hard things. Learn with your kids. Do the work. It’s always worth it. With this in mind—and with the start of Black History Month—we’re sharing 40+ books featuring Black heroes that every kid should read. Keep scrolling for our favorite Black History Month books for kids!

Editor’s Note: All shopping links in this article link out to Black-owned bookstores. Please help us in supporting these businesses.

40+ Books for Kids to Read This Black History Month

Board Books

black history month books for kids | Dream Big, Little One
Vashti Harrison
Dream Big, Little One

This beautifully-illustrated board book edition of instant bestseller Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History showcases women who changed the world and is the perfect goodnight book to inspire big dreams.

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maya angelou board book
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Little People, Big Dreams: Maya Angelou

Introduce little ones to the incredible life of speaker, writer, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.

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black history month books for kids
Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
Please, Baby, Please

Created by famed filmmaker Spike Lee alongside his wife and producer Tonya Lewis Lee, this precious little board book expresses the many joys—and natural fiascos!—of raising a baby. It’s a sweet story giving Black families, and the loving bonds they cultivate, the representation they deserve.

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black history month books for kids | The Story of Rap
Editors of Caterpillar Books
The Story of Rap

Bop along with the greats in this adorable baby book that introduces little ones to the rappers who started it all!

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black history month books for kids | I Look Up To... Serena Williams
Anna Membrino
I Look Up To... Serena Williams

This board book distills tennis superstar Serena Williams's excellent qualities into an eminently shareable read-aloud text with graphic, eye-catching illustrations.

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black history month books for kids | Think Big, Little One
Vashti Harrison
Think Big, Little One

This book teaches little ones to follow their biggest dreams by introducing them to 18 different trailblazing women creators.

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black history month books for kids | Barack Obama 101: My First Presidential Board Book
Brad M. Epstein
Barack Obama 101: My First Presidential Board Book

The entire family can share all the memories and history of Barack Obama's election as the 44th President of the United States!

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black history month books for kids | Be Bold, Baby: Oprah
Alison Oliver
Be Bold, Baby: Oprah

Celebrate Oprah Winfrey’s most motivational and powerful moments, with quotes from the media mogul and vibrant illustrations.

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black history month books for kids | I Look Up To... Michelle Obama
Anna Membrino
I Look Up To... Michelle Obama

This board book distills Michelle Obama's excellent qualities into deliciously illustrated little baby-sized bites with text designed to share and read aloud.

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Picture Books

black history month books for kids
Roda Ahmed
Mae Among the Stars

A beautiful picture book for sharing, inspired by the life of the first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison.

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black history month books for kids
Valerie Thompkins
Girls Like Me

Every parent hopes their child grows up believing the sky's the limit when it comes to discovering their passions and pursuing their ambitions. Girls Like Me is a wonderful depiction of little Black girls exploring the many career possibilities that could bring to life the greatness that already lives inside of them.

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Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History
Vashti Harrison
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History

A beautifully illustrated book showcasing true stories of Black men throughout history.

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Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
Vashti Harrison
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Similar to the book above, this books showcases true stories of Black women throughout history.

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African American Legends for Little Learners
Marlena Nkene
African American Legends for Little Learners

This is an introductory series to teach young learners about Black history using bright and engaging illustrations.

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black history month books for kids | Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
Ellen Levine
Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom.

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black history month books for kids | Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library
Carole Boston Weatherford
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library

In luminous paintings and arresting poems, two of children's literature’s top African American scholars track Arturo Schomburg’s quest to correct history.

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laverne cox book
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Little People, Big Dreams: Laverne Cox

A newer release in the popular Little People, Big Dreams series, this book chronicles the life of actress and trans pioneer Laverne Cox.

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black history month books for kids | Let the Children March
Monica Clark-Robinson
Let the Children March

This book tells the story of thousands of African American children who marched in Birmingham, Alabama for their civil rights after being inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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black history month books for kids | Hidden Figures
Margot Lee Shetterly
Hidden Figures

The incredibly inspiring true story of four Black women who helped NASA launch men into space.

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black history month books for kids | We March
Shane W. Evans
We March

An illustrated story about the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the African American civil rights movement.

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stevie wonder book
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Little People, Big Dreams: Stevie Wonder

Kids can learn about music icon Stevie Wonder's life and rise to fame in this Little People, Big Dreams book.

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black history month books for kids | Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Doreen Rappaport
Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This picture book biography is an excellent and accessible introduction for young readers to learn about one of the world's most influential leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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black history month books for kids | I Am Jackie Robinson
Brad Meltzer
I Am Jackie Robinson

This New York Times bestselling picture book biography series by Brad Meltzer has an inspiring message: we can all be heroes.

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marcus rashford book
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Little People, Big Dreams: Marcus Rashford

In this book, littles can discover the incredible life of British soccer player Marcus Rashford who, in addition to being a world-famous athlete, is a passionate campaigner against racism, homelessness, and child hunger.

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black history month books for kids
Matthew A. Cherry
Hair Love

Not only is Hair Love an ode to that special daddy-daughter bond that warms our hearts, but it uplifts the natural beauty of black hair in its many forms. Written by Academy Award-winning director and former NFL player Matthew Cherry, it’s a complete recipe for honoring family roots and raising a child with self-love and confidence.

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black history month books for kids | Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon
Kelly Starling Lyons
Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon

This celebrates a contemporary Black STEAM role model, a man whose quiet work enabled the creation of an iconic building reflecting America's past and future.

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aretha franklin book
Carole Boston Weatherford
Respect: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

Singer Aretha Franklin's musical talent was obvious from a young age and little readers can follow her journey to stardom in this pretty picture book.

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black history month books for kids | Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave
Laban Carrick Hill
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

This book tells the story of Dave, who despite having been a slave, was an extraordinary artist, poet, and potter living in South Carolina in the 1800s.

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black history month books for kids | I Am Harriet Tubman
Brad Meltzer
I Am Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman's heroic and pivotal role in the fight against slavery is the subject of the 14th picture book in this New York Times bestselling biography series.

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black history month books for kids
Debbie Allen
Dancing in the Wings

Though Sassy doesn’t have the figure or personality of the stereotypical ballerina, she’s determined to turn her dreams of becoming one into a reality anyway. Find out how she captures the attention of a famous director. Hint: it’s not by being negatively singled out by the color of her skin! Written by dancer and Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen, this charming story told by an authentic voice lifts up Black girls and beyond.

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black history month books for kids | Little People, Big Dreams: Wilma Rudolph
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Little People, Big Dreams: Wilma Rudolph

Part of the critically-acclaimed Little People, Big Dreams book series, discover the life of Wilma Rudolph, the remarkable sprinter and Olympic champion.

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black history month books for kids | The Undefeated
Kwame Alexander
The Undefeated

Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to Black life in the United States.

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black history month books for kids | Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman
Louise Borden
Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman

This book chronicles the story of Bessie Coleman, who became the first African American to earn a pilot's license.

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black history month books for kids | The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read
Rita Lorraine Hubbard
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Discover the true story of Mary Walker, the nation's oldest student who did just that.

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black history month books for kids | Barack
Jonah Winter
Barack

A glowing picture book biography of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

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black history month books for kids | Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment
Parker Curry
Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment

A visit to Washington, D.C.’s National Portrait Gallery forever alters Parker Curry’s young life when she views First Lady Michelle Obama’s portrait.

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black history month books for kids | Little People, Big Dreams: Amanda Gorman
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Little People, Big Dreams: Amanda Gorman

A 2022 addition to the Little People, Big Dreams collection, this story celebrates presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman.

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black history month books for kids
Kelly Starling Lyons
Ty's Travels: Lab Magic

Have a little explorer who adores science and discovery? They’ll have so much fun accompanying Ty and Corey as they dive into experiments and study the earth’s many creatures and curiosities. Spotlighting Black boys and geared toward emerging readers, it’s an empowering story to share with your child during your next read-along together.

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black history month books for kids
Renee Watson
Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills

This book tells the story of the inspiring true story of singer, performer, and activist, Florence Mills.

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black history month books for kids | Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery
Sandra Neil Wallace
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery

Discover the remarkable true story of NFL star Ernie Barnes: a boy who followed his dreams and became one of the most influential artists of his generation.

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black history month books for kids | Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
Carole Boston Weatherford
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

This poetic book is a resounding tribute to Tubman's strength, humility, and devotion.

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black history month books for kids | Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams
Howard Bryant
Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams

An inspiring picture book sports biography about two of the greatest female tennis players of all-time! Venus and Serena Williams: best friends, sisters, and champions.

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This Black History Month, I’m Decolonizing My Space—Here’s Why and How
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