Children's Books to Celebrate Black Culture

This empowering text shows this narrator’s confidence and pride in everything that makes him unique. He has big dreams and plans to make them come true. Though he may be scared and uncertain at times, he’s resilient and will see his plans through.

A mother poetically empowers and uplifts her son through historical and personal stories of why he matters and belongs, even when the world makes him feel like an outsider. Initially written as a poem, this text navigates the ups and downs of living in a world where you don’t always feel like you matter.

The barbershop is a magical place where our narrator is treated like a prince as soon as the robe drapes around his shoulders. He waits as the clippers move slow and steady, until his hair cut is complete. One look in the mirror and he feels like himself again, cool as ever and ready to conquer the world.

As bedtime nears, each family member begins preparing their hair for bed. Brother tightens his locs, sister combs her hair into a wrap, and grandma places her hair into rollers. As mom finishes preparing our little narrator for bed, she can’t seem to find her bedtime bonnet.

Visits from Grandma Mimi are always filled with hugs, yummy treats, and all the special things found in her purse. From fancy earrings, “smell-good”, special mirrors, and hair pins, Grandma’s magical purse has a little bit of everything inside.

Filled with beautifully diverse shades of brown and joyful coils, curls, and locs, this is an ode to the beauty of being Black. Using nature to paint a picture of the memories of the seasons, this text shows the beautiful brown of summer sandcastles to amber brown honey from the beehive.

Frustrated by people constantly mispronouncing her name, a little girl shares her feelings with her mom. Her mom encourages her to tell her teacher and friends that her name is a song, with steady beats for syllabus and stretched out melodies for vowel sounds. She returns to school with a song in her heart and a way to teach others to properly pronounce her name.

A child reflects on what it means to be Black. From black braids in her best friend’s hair, to black shiny shoes and black eyed peas. This is an exploration of Blackness from a child’s perspective.

Our little narrator shares that her mother and father live far away and she lives with Mama Rose. Mama Rose combs her hair and buttons her coat. She teaches her to ride a bike, make her bed, and tell time. She even encourages and uplifts her, just like a mama.