Must-Read Picture Books to Celebrate Black History Month

Explore these must-read picture books for Black History Month with your child. This selection of books for Black History Month features stories about civil rights icons, societal changemakers, and books about important moments and movements.

Black History Month educates youth, celebrates African American achievements, and promotes diversity and inclusion. Discussing African American history helps children understand the past and be inspired by influential figures. It’s a valuable opportunity to create a positive and inclusive future.

Why is it important to discuss Black History Month with young children?

Black History Month is an important time to teach young children about the history and culture of African Americans. Here are a few reasons why:

• To promote diversity and inclusion. By learning about the contributions of African Americans to society, young children can develop a more positive and inclusive view of the world. They can also learn to appreciate the diversity of people and cultures that make up our society.
• To help children understand the past. Black History Month is an opportunity to teach children about the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. By learning about the past, children can gain a better understanding of the present and how it came to be.
• To inspire children to achieve their dreams. By learning about the achievements of African Americans, young children can be inspired to achieve their own dreams. They can see that anything is possible if they set their minds to it.

Here are a few tips for talking to young children about Black History Month:

• Start early. It’s never too early to start talking to children about Black history. Even young children can learn about simple concepts, such as the importance of diversity and inclusion.
• Be honest. Don’t shy away from talking about the difficult aspects of Black history, such as slavery and discrimination. However, be sure to present this information in a way that is appropriate for young children.
• Use a variety of resources. There are many books, websites, and other resources available to help you teach young children about Black history. Find resources that are engaging and interesting for your child.
• Make it fun. Learning about Black history should be fun for children! Find ways to make the learning experience enjoyable, such as reading books, watching movies, or playing games.

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Picture Books to Celebrate Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, The Educators Spin On It is excited to present a curated selection of our favorite picture books featuring inspiring biographies of Black men and women. These individuals’ unwavering determination and remarkable achievements have left an enduring impact on our nation’s history.

The stories of Black Americans who persistently pushed boundaries and confronted societal norms are not only uplifting but also essential to the rich and intricate tapestry of our nation, embracing people from all walks of life, from artists to engineers, dancers to doctors.

• Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies by Mireille Harper

I really recommend the series of Discovering Ordinary People Who Changed the World Books by Brad Metzler for many topics, including Black History Month. Here’s a few to read this month…

• I am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer (Read Aloud)
• I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer (Read Aloud)
• I Am Jackie Robinson by Brad Meltzer (Read Aloud)
• I Am John Lewis by Brad Meltzer

• Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
  (Listen to Read Aloud)

• The Doctor With an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath By Julia Finley Mosca
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library By Carole Boston Weatherford
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Saving the Day: Garrett Morgan’s Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal by Karyn Parsons
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Under the Same Sun by Sharon Robinson
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Who Is Barack Obama? by Roberta Edwards
• Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes
  (Listen to Read Aloud)

• Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History (Vashti Harrison)
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez
  (Listen to Read Aloud)

• A Library by Nikki Giovanni
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry
• (Listen to Read Aloud)
• She Persisted: Oprah Winfrey by Renée Watson and Chelsea Clinton

• 28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith Jr.
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By Doreen Rappaport
• The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne By Lesa Cline Ransome
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe By Deborah Blumenthal
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight by Karyn Parsons
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• A Weed Is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver by Aliki
  (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Pinkney
• The Girl With a Mind For Math: The Story of Raye Montague by Julia Finley Mosca

Check out the series called MVP Kids Books, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Books.

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Here are some additional ideas for teaching young children about Black History Month:

• Read books about African American history. There are many great books available for young children that tell the stories of African Americans who have made a difference in the world. Some popular titles include:
  • “The Story of Ruby Bridges” by Robert Coles
  • “Martin Luther King, Jr. and the March on Washington” by Andrea Davis Pinkney
  • “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Visit museums and historical sites. Visiting museums and historical sites is a great way for young children to learn about African American history. Many museums have exhibits that are specifically designed for children.
• Attend Black History Month events. Many communities hold Black History Month events, such as parades, festivals, and lectures. These events are a great way for young children to learn about African American history and culture.

Explore these activities with your child for Black History Month…

• History-Making Black Americans Everyone Should Know
• African American Heros by National Geographic for Kids
• 26 Black Heroes Our Kids Should Know by Name
• 40 Black History Month Activities for February and Beyond
• Black History Month Activities for Kids of All Ages
• Black History For Kids: 28+ Activities

Black History Month Videos for Kids

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Here’s an age-appropriate learning video for kids from PBS to watch about Black History Month.

You may also enjoy this video about Black History Month by National Geographic Kids.

Looking to add more diversity to your bookshelf? Take a moment to read this one on how to add Diverse Books in Your Home Library.

Celebrating Black Excellence

February is a time to celebrate the contributions of Black people to our society. As parents and educators, we have a unique opportunity to highlight the achievements of Black Americans throughout history and the present day. This can be done in various ways, regardless of the subject matter.

Here are a few ideas:

• When teaching about weather forecasting, discuss Black meteorologists. Many Black meteorologists have made significant contributions to the field, including Dr. Joanne Simpson, who was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in meteorology, and Dr. Neil Frank, who was the first African American to serve as director of the National Hurricane Center.
• When teaching about dental health, discuss Black dental pioneers. There are many Black dentists who have made significant contributions to the field, including Dr. Robert Tanner Freeman, who was the first African American to graduate from Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, and Dr. Charles R. Drew, who developed the first blood bank.
• When teaching about politics, discuss Black politicians who have run for president. Many Black politicians have run for president, including Shirley Chisholm, who was the first African American woman to run for president of the United States, and Barack Obama, who served as president of the United States from 2009 to 2017.

By highlighting the achievements of Black Americans, we can help our children to see themselves reflected in the curriculum and to understand the important role that Black people have played in shaping our society. We can also help to dispel stereotypes and foster a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.

You may also enjoy these book suggestions for your child…