15 Must-Read Children's Books to Celebrate Black History Month

February marks Black History Month in the United States, a time to honor the many achievements of African Americans and their contributions in US history. If you’ve been wanting to educate your little one about Black history but aren’t sure where to start, books are a great way to help your child engage with history and better understand the struggles and achievements of Black Americans that have shaped our country. Here is a list of 15 children’s books that not only break down important historical events into easy-to-digest, age-appropriate bites, but also celebrate Black excellence.

1. Dream Big, Little One

By Vashti Harrison
Age: 0-3 years

This illustrated board book features 18 trailblazing Black women in American history, and is the perfect book to inspire big dreams.

2. Baby Young, Gifted, and Black: With a Mirror!

By Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins
Age: 0-4 years

This lyrical board book includes a mirror so little ones can see themselves beside Black leaders and change-makers around the world.

3. I Can Do It Too!

By Karen Baicker
Age: 1-3 years

This heartwarming story affirms a little girl’s independence as she begins to do all the things she sees her parents, relatives, and neighbors do.

4. A is for Activist

By Innosanto Nagara
Age: 1-3 years

This ABC board book features alliteration, rhyming, and vibrant illustrations while calling for community, equality, and justice.

5. Girl of Mine

By Jabari Asim
Age: 1-3 years

Start bedtime with this heartwarming book featuring a little girl and her father on a fantastical adventure, accompanied by text inspired by “Rock-A-Bye Baby.”

6. Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children

By Sandra L. Pinkney
Age: 1-5 years

This picture book featuring stunning photographic portraits of Black children is a celebration of the rich diversity among African Americans.

7. Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?

By Lisbeth Kaiser
Age: 2-4 years

Introduce your little one to one of the most prominent leaders of the civil rights movement with this captivating and age-appropriate book.

8. Bedtime Bonnet

By Nancy Redd
Age: 2-6 years

This picture book gives readers a peek into Black nighttime hair traditions, and celebrates love among family.

9. Hair Love

By Matthew A. Cherry
Age: 2-7 years

This bestselling book highlights the relationship between a Black father and daughter, and is an ode to self confidence.

10. The ABCs of Black History

By Rio Cortez
Age: 2-8 years

This book celebrates stories of triumph and heartbreak, letter by letter, and, ultimately, is a story of hope and love

11. A History of Me

By Adrea Theodore
Age: 4-8 years

Inspired by a mother’s experience of being the only Black child in her classroom, this book is a reminder of all the powerful women who have come before her.

12. No Small Potatoes: Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas

By Tonya Bolden
Age: 4-8 years

This book tells the true story of how one of history’s most successful potato farmers began life as a slave and worked his way up to earn the title of “Potato King of the World.”

13. Let the Children March

By Monica Clark-Robinson
Age: 5-9 years

This powerful book depicts the 1963 event in Birmingham, Alabama, when thousands of African American children volunteered to march for their rights.

14. The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

By Nikole Hannah-Jones and Reneé Watson
Age: 6-10 years

This powerful book chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States. 

15. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

By Margot Lee Shetterly
Age: 6-10 years

This book tells the true story of four Black women who helped NASA launch men into space, overcoming racial and gender barriers to change the world.