Top 10 Black Books For Kids Updated 04 /2024

From stories about brave kids and great friendships to memoirs and true stories, we've chosen some of the best books written and illustrated by Black children's authors and illustrators.

We’reGoing to Find the Monsterby Malorie Blackman & Dapo Adeola (2021)

For her new book, Malorie Blackman has teamed up with award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola. They're going to give the original story a new twist. Charlie and Eddie, two brave adventurers, are going to search for the mighty monster, which is also their big brother, on their own. But to find him, they'll have to cross shimmering oceans, climb high mountains, and go through dark, dark jungles. They'll also have to deal with other wild animals on the way. This is a great story to read together at story time.

A good age for reading is between 2 and 5.

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o& Vashti Harrison (2019)

Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o wrote this story about Sulwe. It gently teaches kids about colorism, self-confidence, and inner beauty, and it's written in a way that is easy for them to understand. Sulwe, a story by Vashti Harrison, tells the story of a little girl who has a darker skin tone than her family and friends. Until one night, when she goes on a magical journey, her mind opens up to how beautiful she is.

3-7 years old is a good age to start reading.

The Dream Team: Jaz Santos vs. the Worldby Priscilla Mante (2021)

This person is in the Bramrock Stars group. They're well-known, aren't they? Even if you haven't seen them yet, you will soon. They are the football stars of the future! Jaz wants to help the team become famous and rich, no matter how different they are. if she can, Jaz is sure her mother Me will come home. Priscilla Mante's first book, Jaz Santos vs. The World, is a positive story about friendship, family, and proving to the world that girls can play football!

Age range: 8-12 years old.

Look Up! By Nathan Bryon&Dapo Adeola (2019)

Rocket likes to look at the sky and see the stars. Her favorite person is Mae Jemison, who was the first African-American woman in space. This adorable picture book is full of fun facts about meteors and space to keep curious minds happy. It's full of beautiful illustrations that will get even the most phone-obsessed kids excited about nature, just like Rocket. Readers who are space-obsessed will learn that there is no limit to what they can do in this book.

3-7 years old is a good age to start reading.

Change Singsby Amanda Gorman & Loren Long (2021)

People around the world were amazed when Amanda Gorman read poetry at the inauguration of US President Joe Biden in January 2021. And now, with the help of illustrator Loren Long, Gorman has written a picture book that echoes the hope and progress she talked about that day. This book is about a young girl who leads a group of people on a musical journey and shows them that they can all make changes. This is a must-have for every book shelf.

Reading age: 4-8 years old.

Becoming: Adapted for Younger Readersby Michelle Obama (2021)

Michelle Obama released her best-selling memoir, "Becoming," in 2018. It has now been made into a book for kids to read. She started out as a small child in Chicago. Before becoming a lawyer and the first African-American First Lady, Michelle Robinson came from a small family. In her memoir, you'll learn about her childhood and family, her time at university, and how, through hard work and determination, Obama was able to build a life of her own that was very different from most people.

A good age for reading this is between 10 and 14.

Hair Love by Matthew Cherry& Vashti Harrison (2019)

based on the Oscar-winning short film, this is the story of Zuri and her dad. She also has a lot of hair. Zuri's hair is beautiful, but it can act on its own. When Zuri and her dad are going to a special event, they need to work together to show that natural hair is beautiful. As well as celebrating the love between father and daughter, this book also puts black hair in the center of attention.

Reading age: 5-7 years old

Brown Girl Dreamingby Jacqueline Woodson (2014)

In her book, Brown Girl Dreaming, Jacqueline Woodson talks about what it was like to be an African-American girl in the 1960s and 1970s. Woodson talks about segregation in the South, how she learned about the Civil Rights movement, and how writing helped her find her own voice. Everyone should read this heartfelt book.

A good age for reading this is between 10 and 13.

Listen, Laylaby Yassmin Abdel-Magied(2021)

People all over the world love Layla Kareem Abdel-Hafiz Hussein, the best Sudanese Australian inventor they've ever seen. She wants to spend the summer getting her inventions ready for the grand design contest. But then her grandmother in Sudan gets sick, so Layla and her family rush to be with her, so she can be with her. Layla is happy to be there for her grandmother, but she can't help but feel a little mixed up. A lot of people are protesting and Layla wants to help. Her ideas could help make a difference.

To read this, you should be 9-12 years old.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña& Christian Robinson (2017)

It's about time for CJ and his grandma to get on the bus for their weekly trip across town. They just came back from church. CJ doesn't want to take the bus. He wants to go in a car like his friend Colby, and he can't hide his sadness. His grandma, on the other hand, reminds him that there are a lot of good things about their daily lives. Matt de la Pea's heartfelt story, illustrated by award-winning artist Christian Robinson, shows how important it is to be grateful for what you have.

Reading age: 3-5 years old

Pig-Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman (2004)

It's normal to want a normal life when you're 13 years old. In order to be like all the other teenagers and do normal things, you have to act like one. There are some people who need heart transplants when they're teenagers, but not many of them. You're the bad one. It sounds like you think there's no way to live a normal life. But what if you're wrong? Is it possible for you to get better, even though it's not safe. There might be a doctor who can help you. It's new and weird, and it hasn't been done before. Award-winning Malorie Blackman wrote this powerful, thought-provoking story. It was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and Blackman has won many awards.

To read this, you should be 9-11 years old.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison (2018)

From singer Ella Fitzgerald to abolitionist Sojourner Truth, pilot Bessie Coleman to poet Maya Angelou, and many more, this book tells the stories of forty black women who have made a difference in history. Because of their powerful voices, extraordinary actions and unwavering beliefs that have made the world a better place for generations to come, each one has made the world a better place for the people who come after them. These brave, bold black women broke down barriers and went above and beyond what people thought was possible. Their stories should be told.

Age range: 5-7 years old

How High the Moon by Karyn Parsons (2019)

Life for 12-year-old Ella in segregated Alcolu in 1944 isn't always sunny. She's bullied for having a light skin tone and missing her mother, who never came back. Her mother, who is a jazz singer in Boston, invites her for Christmas, so she is very happy about it! However, while she is there, Ella learns about her mother and the father she didn't know. She also finds out about her most surprising family history. a month after her return, news comes that her classmate has been arrested for killing two white girls in the South. This makes her life even worse. Everything will never be the same again.

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