I encourage you to dive into the stories of these remarkable men and women, they will build empathy and understanding. You will be surprised at how introducing Black History will instill a sense of justice in your children for many years. Below I will share some books about Black leaders, artists, scientists, and activists throughout history.
Picture Books
Picture books are a wonderful way to introduce complex subjects to children. Many authors craft their stories with passion and purpose, delivering powerful messages in an engaging and age-appropriate way that inspires young readers.
- Saving the Day: Garrett Morgan’s Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal : At a tumultuous time filled with racism and discrimination, Garrett became a prominent business man and skilled inventor who produced the traffic signal, a gas mask, and other devices still used today.
- The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read : At 116, she learned to read. From Rita Lorraine Hubbard and rising star Oge More comes the inspirational story of Mary Walker, a woman whose long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and who–with perseverance and dedication–proved that you’re never too old to learn.
- Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 : An elderly African American woman, en route to vote, remembers her family’s tumultuous voting history in this picture book
- Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis : John wants to be a preacher when he grows up—a leader whose words stir hearts to change, minds to think, and bodies to take action. But why wait? When John is put in charge of the family farm’s flock of chickens, he discovers that they make a wonderful congregation!
- Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better : Discover the inspiring story of Augustus Jackson, an African American entrepreneur who is known as “the father of ice cream,” in this beautifully illustrated picture-book biography.
- Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 : You’ve likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home?
- Sprouting Wings: The True Story of James Herman Banning, the First African American Pilot to Fly Across the United States: In a journey that would span 3,300 miles, take twenty-one days, and inspire a nation, James Herman Banning proved that you can’t put barriers on dreams.
- The 1619 Project: Born on the Water: The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States
Biographies
I love using biographies to explore subjects in depth. They provide a unique perspective, allowing us to experience events through someone else’s eyes. Reading biographies—whether independently or as a family—can help your children develop empathy, compassion, and a deeper understanding of others’ experiences, giving them the opportunity to “walk in many shoes” before they leave home.
6-9 year olds
- The Story of Black History Box Set: Inspiring Biographies for Young Readers : Meet five amazing individuals who have changed the world through their courage, vision, and determination. This curated box set of Black history books for kids gives young readers a glimpse into the lives and contributions of these remarkable Black men and women.
- The Story of Serena Williams: An Inspiring Biography : n this book about Serena Williams for kids, new readers will explore how she faced discrimination, injuries, and many other challenges, but still worked hard to be the best player she could be.
- The Story of Katherine Johnson: Katherine Johnson was one of the best mathematicians in the history of the United States. Before her math skills helped send the first American astronauts safely into space, she was a smart and curious girl who loved to learn new things about the world around her. She studied hard in school and became one of the first Black women hired by NASA.
4-10 year olds
- Michelle Obama: A Kid’s Book About Turning Adversity into Advantage: Michelle Obama became the first African-American First Lady of the United States. Read about what challenges she overcame to get there and how she continues to serve as a role model for women everywhere.
Suitable for all readers
- Black Cowboys of the Old West: True, Sensational, And Little-Known Stories From History: The word cowboy conjures up vivid images of rugged men on saddled horses—men lassoing cattle, riding bulls, or brandishing guns in a shoot-out. White men, as Hollywood remembers them. What is woefully missing from these scenes is their counterparts: the black cowboys who made up one-fourth of the wranglers and rodeo riders. This book tells their story.
Poetry
- Melody’s Songbook Of Freedom: A Look Back At The Songs That Helped Rewrite African American Black History : In “Melody’s Songbook of Freedom” Melody visits the past to look at the songs that helped clear the way to a “land of freedom.” The book reviews songs that inspired the “Underground Railroad” helping slaves escape to a new life, and held the hidden codes that led others to the new life they had dreamed about.
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