Books about black history

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Today I'thousand sharing a huge list of our favorite black history books for kids!

D o your kids encounter a lot of racial multifariousness?

Nosotros live virtually a major American metropolis, full of people of all races. But our own niggling suburb is generally white. Unless we become shopping, my children don't come across a lot of faces unlike from their own during the school week.

I tin can't begin to sympathise the racial struggles that African Americans have faced throughout our history and in the present day. Neither can my children.

But nosotros tin endeavour.

Over the past calendar month, my first, second, and fourth grader have listened to countless books nearly notable African Americans.

We've been saddened by stories of the slavery era, inspired past stories of the civil rights movement, and stunned by stories of incredible people of whom nosotros'd never heard.

Since 1975, Americans have recognized February as Black History Month.

During this month we make a special effort to recognize the oft neglected accomplishments of notable African Americans.

Of grade, nosotros should be remembering the achievements of people of all races all yr long.

Let this be a listing you refer to every month of the year!

Black history books for kids

Wilma Unlimited, by Kathleen Krull

I kickoff with this book because you must discover it at your library! It's the story of Wilma Rudolph, born tiny and sickly as the twentieth child to a poor, hard-working family unit. When Wilma suffered polio and paralysis at age five, everyone said she'd never walk over again.  No one guessed that she'd win iii gold medals at the 1960 Olympics, condign the fastest woman in the world!

My V requested this book again and once more. I was happy to oblige!

I Am Rosa Parks, by Brad Meltzer

Past refusing to give upward her seat, Rosa Parks became a leader in the long fight to cease public omnibus segregation. This is her story.

With his Ordinary People Change the World series, Meltzer has created a fantastic prepare of flick book biographies. The stories are told in a conversational style and feature engaging illustrations. Even my preschooler asks for them. I recommend that you reserve all of Meltzer'southward books from your library now, earlier y'all forget!

Rosa Parks, past Kiton Jazynka

This piddling volume is a jewel from National Geographic Kids. I dear the bright text, bold photographs, and interesting captions. I also love that information technology's written in an easy-reader style at nigh a second course reading level. Non simply does it tell the inspiring story of Rosa Parks, only it also has a Cool Facts page, Quiz Whiz, and picture glossary.

Even my preschooler was engaged through the whole book.

Back of the Bus, by Aaraon Reynolds

This tells Rosa Parks' story from a boy's perspective. Sitting in the back of the double-decker with his mother, the male child has many questions and concerns when Mrs. Parks is arrested. Children volition relate to this captivating book.

I Am Rosa Parks, by Rosa Parks (with Jim Haskins)

Hither's some other volume nigh Rosa Parks, told by the woman herself. My first grader loved this easy reader about the famous civil rights heroine.

If A Motorbus Could Talk, by Faith Ringgold

I love this book, simply I want to offering a caveat – despite the cute movie and title, this book is for avant-garde listeners. Information technology is a very long (and wordy!) biographical account of Rosa Parks. If your students know a little virtually her already and are up for a long read aloud, I highly recommend it.

Teammates, by Peter Golenbock

This book tells the truthful story of Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese.  Jackie was the start African American to play Major League baseball. This incredible human faced threats and opposition at every turn while keeping his promise to "plough the other cheek."

Pee Wee was the white player who had the courage to publicly back up and befriend Jackie Robinson.  My big kids (ages 6, 8, and 9) were fascinated past the story.

I Am Jackie Robinson, by Brad Meltzer

While grabbing a link on Amazon, I was surprised to read a scathing review of this book from the Schoolhouse Library Journal. The reviewer called it "preachy and moralistic" with a "perky tone that will cause eye-rolling among readers and listeners."

I couldn't disagree more! This wonderfully written and illustrated book is a gentle introduction to race issues and teaches the importance of leading past example. In fact, subsequently reading this book on their own, my older kids were eager to read other books about Robinson.

Even my preschooler loved information technology and asked for it repeatedly.

Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson'south Journey to the Stars, past Gary Golio

This is a beautiful new book that the author recently shared with me, and information technology certainly deserves a identify on this listing! Willie Johnson was built-in in 1897, and at a young age he lost both his mother and his sight. However Willie fabricated a fashion and a proper name for himself by singing on street corners. Years after his decease, his vocal "Nighttime Was the Night" was launched into space on the Voyager ispace probe's Gilded Record.

The beautiful watercolor illustrations are breathtaking, and I beloved the author's way of speaking directly to Willie. One to find!

Dad Jackie and Me, by Myron Uhlberg

Based on the author'due south own life, this is the story of an actress special summer for a father and son. For the beginning time, Myron's deaf father shows an involvement in professional baseball. Inspired by Jackie Robinson'south fight confronting prejudice, he keeps a scrapbook and asks his son to teach him how to grab a baseball game. At the terminate of the book he has big news for his son: they are going to Ebbets Field to meet Jackie play.

In the epilogue we learn that, as a deaf man, Myron's father related to Jackie's stoic endurance of prejudice and fight for acceptance.

Freedom'southward Schoolhouse, by Lesa Cline-Ransome

This historical fiction film book was some other favorite. It's the story of Lizzie and Paul, old slave children who finally have the chance to attend a school just for them.

But even though Lizzie and Paul are excited to finally become to schoolhouse, information technology isn't easy. The walk is long. The path is unsafe. And when someone deliberately burns the school down, it seems like all hope is lost. But the determination of their teacher and other members of the community give this book a happy and hopeful ending.

Ellen's Broom, by Kelly Starling Lyons

During the slavery era, slaves were non permitted to wed legally. Many of them literally "jumped the broom" when they made a delivery to live as husband and married woman.

Subsequently slavery ended, one-time slaves could visit a local courthouse to become legally married. This book is the fictional account of Ellen and her family who visit the courthouse, broom in hand, to make her parents' matrimony legal.

A lovely story with beautiful illustrations!

Ben and the Emancipation Announcement, by Pat Sherman

This is the true story of a slave named Benjamin Holmes who taught himself to read past studying street signs. Though Ben was a hard-working, valued slave, he was sent to a slave prison when his master joined the Confederate regular army. When the slaves smuggle in a newspaper, Ben has the privilege of reading the Emancipation Announcement to his boyfriend captives.

Bad News for Outlaw, by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

1 affair these books have taught me is that there are some amazing African American heroes whom I've never even heard of. Bass Reeves is one of them. Born into slavery, he later became a Deputy U.Due south. Marshall – and one of the most feared and respected lawmen in the territories. It'due south a long book with a off-white amount of unfamiliar vocabulary, which fabricated it a great book to read and discuss with my big kids (ages 6, 8, and 9). They were riveted.

Henry's Freedom Box, by Ellen Levine

This is the astounding true story of Henry Brown, a hard-working American slave who deeply loved his married woman and children. Ane day, while he was at work, Henry'south wife and children were sold. Heartbroken, Henry decided to post himself to freedom. Afterwards a 27-hour journey, cramped in a crate, Henry arrived safely in Philadelphia.

Tragically, Henry never saw his family over again. Just he lived the rest of his life as a free man.

Child of the Civil Rights Motion, by Paula Young Shelton & Raul Colon

This is a fantastic book written by the youngest daughter of Andrew Immature. She tells the story of her parents moving from their home in the Northward back to the segregated South – to become leaders in the Civil Rights Movement.

I loved this rare, behind-the-scenes look at how Young, King, Abernathy, and other civil rights leaders planned and marched to Montgomery.

The Instance for Loving, by Selina Alko

My kids were astounded that Richard and Mildred Loving's matrimony was illegal in the state of Virginia – just because he was white and she was black. This book is the story of their battle to change the police force… all the manner to the Supreme Court.

New Shoes, past Susan Lynn Meyer

This is the fictional story of two girls who alive during the Jim Crow era. They are hurt and humiliated to acquire that they're not permitted to effort on shoes in shoe stores simply considering they are blackness. So they collect second hand shoes from their black neighbors and create their ain shoe store, where everyone tin endeavor on shoes before buying them.

We loved this book! It's a thought-provoking story with endearing characters and beautiful illustrations.

Martin'due south Big Words,by Doreen Rappaport

With its collage style illustrations and very unproblematic story line, this book is an excellent introduction to Martin Luther King, Jr. I love how it weaves his quotes throughout the story of the civil rights motility. An excellent book!

I Am Martin Luther Rex, Jr. by Brad Meltzer

In Meltzer's signature manner, he talks directly to children in this engaging first-person biography of Dr. Martin Luther Male monarch, Jr. Like all of Meltzer'due south books, the illustrations are unique: King is illustrated as a miniature version of his adult cocky on every folio, even as a immature child. This may be confusing to preschoolers who wonder why a petty boy has a mustache. If this bothers you, I remember the book is expert enough to look by information technology!

My Brother Martin, past Christine Farris

I highly recommend this beautifully-told memoir by the sister of Martin Luther King, Jr. Young listeners will love the stories from Rex's childhood and exist inspired past his determination to speak out against hatred and racism.

Follow the Drinking Gourd, past Jeanette Winter, is the moving story of Peg Leg Joe, a conductor on the Underground Railroad who taught slaves the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd." It sounded like a simple folk song, but within its lyrics were clues that led slaves along the path to freedom.

Nosotros don't know whether Peg Leg Joe was a existent person, merely the story is  a wonderful introduction to the Underground Railroad for young listeners.

Fly Loftier! by Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger

This is a long picture book that tells the story of Bessie Coleman, a determined woman who overcame both poverty and prejudice to become the first African American to earn a airplane pilot's license. Because of the length, I recommend this book for advanced listeners – but the text and pictures make information technology an enjoyable listen.

Seeds of Liberty, by Hester Bass

We're familiar with all the tragic stories of integration – from police dogs to bombings, but most of us haven't heard of the peaceful integration of Huntsville, Alabama. We loved this story of a small town whose members worked together to peacefully integrate their city and schools.  Do note that this is a very long book. I recommend it for advanced listeners.

The Great Migration, by Eloise Greenfield

Through a drove of poems and collage artwork, this book tells the stories of African Americans who left their homes in the South in the hope of a better life in the North.  My kids loved the illustrations.

She Loved Baseball , by Audrey Vernick

This is the remarkable story of a adult female who owned an African American baseball squad. Effa Manley not simply cared for her players, she also stood up for the rights of African Americans everywhere. Later, when her players were integrated into the major leagues, she fought for their right to become fair salaries and to be recognized in the baseball hall of fame.

My only complaint about this volume is that it had too much baseball talk. But that's because I love history, not sports. 😉

We March, by Shane W. Evans

If yous're looking for a short and simple book that will introduce the ceremonious rights march to young readers, this is it. With merely a couple of words on each page and bold illustrations, it will introduce young listeners to the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Such a great conversation starter!

With Books and Bricks, past Suzanne Slade

This is my favorite book well-nigh Booker T. Washington, the old slave who became a instructor and congenital his own school for black students – the Tuskegee Constitute. Similar us, you'll be stunned by this story of difficult-working people who worked 60 minutes later hour to make thousands of bricks – past hand! This school with apprehensive beginnings had a hundred buildings and 15 hundred students at the fourth dimension of Booker's death.

Be sure to reserve this true story of one of America'southward greatest educators. Highly recommended!

More than Annihilation Else, by Marie Bradby

If you'd like a book about Booker T. Washington's life every bit a child, this is the 1 to go. We love this beautiful first-person narrative nearly the post-slavery era.  Despite working all day at the saltworks, nine-year-former Booker is determined to learn to read and unlock the power of words. What a wonderful story!

The Story of Ruby Bridges, past Robert Coles

This is my favorite child-friendly book most Ruby Bridges, the dauntless first grader from New Orleans who was the first black child to attend William Frantz Elementary. I like how this volume emphasizes her Christian faith amid the hate and prejudice that she endured.

Demonstration, by Andrea Davis Pinkney

The author tells the story of the four young black men who took a stand against segregation by sitting down at the whites-only tiffin counter in Woolworth'south. We enjoyed the poetic prose and cooking metaphors in this stunning portrait. For older listeners.

Gordon Parks, by Carole Boston Weatherford

Before Gordon Parks became the first blackness director in Hollywood, he was a poor African American looking for piece of work. Armed with a photographic camera, he began taking stunning photographs in America'due south cities. Parks' photos of struggling African Americans helped illuminate racism and segregation, making him a stiff abet for the Civil Rights Motion.

Such an interesting book! Appropriate for young listeners.

A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman, by David Adler

We ain this book, and it'south been a favorite of my kids for years. In fact, equally preschoolers my older kids would run around the house playing "Harriet Tubman." They were fascinated by this picture volume biography of the famous former slave who led many African Americans to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Nosotros have many of Adler's books, and even my preschoolers savor them – despite their length.

If y'all like this book, you'll also like other titles past Adler: A Picture Book of Rosa Parks, A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass, A Picture Volume of Thurgood Marshall, A Picture Book of Dr. Martin Luther Male monarch, Jr., and A Picture book of Jackie Robinson.

A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver, by Aliki

Have you heard of the quondam slave who became a neat scientist? This is a vintage volume (1965), just my kids still enjoyed the lovely illustrations, the interesting story, and the captivating text. Just be aware that y'all will probably desire to substitute some of the language, as the volume uses the word "Negro" to refer to African Americans.

A Sweet Smell of Roses, by Angela Johnson

This gentle volume honors the children who participated in the civil rights marches of the 1960's. I dear the powerful charcoal images in this thought-provoking story. Great for young listeners!

Freedom Summer, by Deborah Wiles

Joe and John Henry are adept friends who are a lot alike. But the two friends can't practice everything together because Joe is white and John Henry is blackness – and much of their Southern town is closed off to its black citizens.

When a law  is passed that forbids segregation and opens the town pool to everyone, the boys eagerly race each other there… only to find that the city is filling it with asphalt rather than let blacks and whites swim together.

Despite this heartbreaking ending, the book is beautiful and inspiring  – and one of my favorites!  Recommended.

Harlem'southward Little Blackbird, past Renee Watson

This is a beautiful volume about Florence Mills, the daughter of old slaves who became a famous vocaliser and dancer in the 1920's. Like me, you will probably want to jump straight to Youtube to find a recording of her voice. Sadly, none exists, simply you volition treasure this story of a woman who used her fame and fortune to advance civil rights.

This is the Dream, past Amistad

This lyrical rhyming book is a fantastic introduction to the ceremonious rights move. But it's also a beautiful book that older listeners will savor. I absolutely honey this treasure of a volume which honors the people who brought about modify through their peaceful protest.

We hope you enjoyed this list of astonishing picture books!

Did we miss your favorite? Share in the comments!

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Source: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/40-black-history-books-for-kids/

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