Black History Month Book List
It is our hope that the many accomplishments that Black people have made, and continue to make in this country, are celebrated every day of the year as Black history is American History. Beyond that, we challenge everyone to consider, not just the momentous, exceptional, or singular figures but to truly celebrate Blackness. Below is a children's reading list curated by our friends at Read2Suceeed of both historic characters and Black characters to add to your child's library. Happy reading!
Precious and The Boo Hag
By Patricia C. McKissack (Author), Onawumi Jean Moss (Author), and Kyrsten Brooker (Illustrator)
When Precious is left home alone with a stomachache, she's got nothing but a warning from Mama -- "Don't let nothing or nobody into this house" -- to keep her company. You see, "nothing or nobody" could turn out to be something awful: the Boo Hag! The Boo Hag's got a voice that rumbles like thunder and hair that shoots out like lightning. And she can disguise herself to look like anything. So when the Boo Hag comes calling, will Precious be clever enough to outwit even the trickiest trickster?
The Palm of My Heart
By Davida Adedjouma (Author, Editor) and R. Gregory Christie (Illustrator)
"Black is dark, dark is lovely, lovely is the palm of my heart and my heartbeats are filled with joy When children are encouraged to celebrate their lives their joys, their influences, their hopes the results are pure poetry. Honest, wise, and inspiring, each of the twenty poems in this dazzling collection resounds with the unique rhythms of life, as seen through the eyes of African American children."
All The Colors of The Earth
By Sheila Hamanaka (Author, Illustrator)
This lyrical book celebrates the colors of children and the colors of love--not black or white or yellow or red, but roaring brown, whispering gold, tinkling pink, and more.
Shortcut
By Donald Crews (Author, Illustrator)
This companion to Bigmama's will enthrall young readers at home or in the classroom. An exciting story with a clear implicit lesson and a happy ending, children will be on the edge of their seats as they follow along. A fun read-aloud, it also helps children ages 3 to 6 learn about how to share details of place in storytelling. Celebrate the bonds of family over generations with Donald Crews's evocative picture books Shortcut and Bigmama's.
Stories with boy heroes:
Clean Your Room Harvey Moon!By Pat Cummings
Whistle For WillieBy Ezra Jack Keats (Author)
The Snowy DayBy Ezra Jack Keats (Author)
Goggles!By Ezra Jack Keats (Author)
Pet ShowBy Ezra Jack Keats (Author)
If I Were PresidentBy Catherine Stier
Stories with girl heroes:
Grace For PresidentBy Kelly DiPucchio
Princess Truly in I Am TrulyBy Kelly Greenawalt
Princess Truly and the Hungry BunnyBy Kelly Greenawalt
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar CountyBy Janice Harrington, Pictures by Shelley Jackson
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For 11 CHILDREN'S BOOKS ABOUT LOVE FEATURING BLACK CHARACTERS and more curated reading lists by read 2 succeed visit their blog.