If you are looking for exemplary children’s books by Black women, you might be struggling to find good ones.
After all, only a few well-known Black women write children’s books.
That’s where this list comes in.
I want to show you these remarkable women whose literary works will educate and entertain your young ones.
They offer distinct voices and unique takes that you cannot find in children’s books from other authors.
And a lot of them teach Black children that their skin color is not a negative; if anything, it is a blessing.
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Black women have done extraordinary things over time.
However, not many people know them.
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History shines a light on these extraordinary women.
Some of the women highlighted in this book include:
- Maya Angelou (a poet, civil rights activist, and memoirist)
- Soujourner Truth (women’s rights activist and abolitionist)
- Bessie Coleman (first Black woman and Native American to get a pilot license)
- Alice Ball (Black chemist who first successful leprosy treatment)
- Shirley Chisholm (first Black woman elected to US Congress)
- Katherine Johnson (mathematician whose calculations were vital for NASA’s crewed spaceflights)
This book is a treasure trove, and it is worth buying.
It will inspire your kids to achieve great things.
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o and Vashti Harrison
Lupita Nyong’o is among the most talented actresses working in Hollywood today.
She is not just a gifted actress who has already won an Oscar.
She is also proud of her Black skin.
However, many Black kids end up feeling insecure about their skin color.
This is why Sulwe is such a vital book for kids.
The title character, Sulwe, is a Black girl with darker skin than everyone around her.
She dreams of having lighter skin, like her sister and mom.
However, one night, she experiences a magical journey that opens her eyes and changes her perspective.
Sulwe is an uplifting book that shows Black children that their skin is just as beautiful as any other, no matter which shade of black it is.
Before She Was Harriett by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Harriett Tubman was a woman of many talents.
She was a formerly enslaved person who became a nurse, a general, a suffragette, a spy, and more.
This picture book looks at the roles she took and the different names she gave herself.
She had an epic life, doing more than most of us can even dream of.
Children who are not sure yet what they want to be can just look at Harriett for inspiration: they can be anything they like.
Change Sings by Amanda Gorman and Loren Long
Remember Amanda Gorman?
She is the young poet who moved the world with her poetry reading during US President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
Amanda has teamed up with illustrator Loren Long to release a picture book that echoes the hope she spoke about on that memorable day.
Change Sings follows a young Black girl on a musical journey.
She teaches a cast of characters that they are all capable of making changes.
Change Sings is a beautiful inspirational book that will hopefully improve your kids’ self-confidence.
Superheroes Are Everywhere By Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris is an inspiration to us all and a hero to many.
However, she has also met her fair share of heroes in her life.
As she describes these heroes, we also gain insights into her own life.
By the time your kids will finish this book, they will know that all of us can be superheroes, no matter what obstacles we might face in life.
These Children’s Books By Black Women Belong In Your Bookshelf
Through these children’s books by Black women, your kids will learn to love their skin and believe in their potential.
There are many more books you can find with just a quick Google search, but there are the ones I personally recommend.
They are easy reads, suitable for all ages, and shed much-needed light on the Black community.
