February is Black History Month, which makes it the perfect time to share these beautiful stories sharing black culture and black history! This list includes books about real people and stories, as well as inspirational books with positive messages for young readers.

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hair Love ABCs

Written by Matthew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison

This cute board book teaches the ABCs of Black hair by pairing each letter of the alphabet with a different word. From Afro and Braids to Twists and Updos, this book pairs each letter and concept with a beautiful, soft illustration of a little girl and her parents.

The Light She Feels Inside

Written by Gwendolyn Wallace and illustrated by Olivia Duchess

This beautiful story follows a young girl named Maya who is filled with big, glowing feelings. Sometimes they are good feelings, and sometimes they are bad feelings. When she talks to her local librarian about them, she offers Maya a stack of books introducing her to Black women throughout history that have found ways to honor their own glowing feelings and make a difference. The story is sure to resonate with young kids who feel big, glowing feelings inside themselves as well. The back of the book includes more information about the women that Maya learns about in the book.

Black Boy, Black Boy: Celebrate the Power of You

Written by Ali Kamanda and Jorge Redmond

This inspirational rhyming book encourages young black boys to look to the role models that have come before them. Every page introduces a new icon from history, from Martin Luther King, Jr and Sam Cooke to Barack Obama and Colin Kaepernick. The illustrations are full of bright colors, showing a father introducing his son to each of the historical figures. The back of the book includes more information about each person featured in the book.

Related Post: More Children’s Books for Black History Month

We Could Fly

Written by Rhiannon Giddens and illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu

This beautifully illustrated book blends Black American folklore and spiritual tradition to celebrate the resilience of the spirit. A mother uses lyrical language to show her daughter how their ancestors flew to the sky every night to seek safety in the promised land. The gorgeous illustrations are full of bright colors and fantastical imagery that bring the mother’s story to life. The back of the book includes notes from the author and the illustrator sharing their inspiration.

Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King

Written by Coretta Scott King with the Reverend Dr. Barbara Reynolds and illustrated by Ekua Holmes

This picture book was adapted from King’s adult memoir, sharing stories from throughout her life. The book starts with her childhood and the lessons she learned from her parents, and moves into her adult life married to Martin Luther King, Jr. The text shares important points during her life, highlighting her strength and determination, while the beautiful illustrations show the important moments and the love she had for her family. In the back of the book, there is a Civil Rights Timeline, as well as an outline of the Six Principles of Nonviolence.

Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready

Written by Raphael G. Warnock and illustrated by TeMika Grooms

Before Raphael Warnock was the first Black Senator from Georgia, he was a little boy. This picture book shows how he always tried to follow his father’s advice to get up, get dressed, put on his shoes and get ready. Throughout his life, he changed his shoes and changed his life, making his dreams come true. This is a great book for introducing kids to Warnock’s life, while providing an inspirational message that they can use in their own lives.

Major Taylor: World Cycling Champion

Written by Charles R. Smith, Jr. and illustrated by Leo Espinosa

This picture book biography introduces young readers to Marshall “Major” Taylor, an international cycling champion who changed the world of cycling. The poetic text shares some of the important races in Taylor’s history, while the illustrations are full of movement, action, and excitement. The back of the book includes more information about Major Taylor, as well as a timeline of Major’s milestones.

Related Post: New Black History Month Books for Kids

Fighting With Love: The Legacy of John Lewis

Written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by James E. Ransome

This picture book biography introduces readers to the life and legacy of John Lewis. The book begins with his childhood surrounded by the love of his family. He begins to notice the unfairness in the world around him, and how he is treated differently than his white peers. As he gets older, he begins to protest and fight for equal rights. The back of the book includes an author’s note, as well as a timeline, and photographs of John Lewis.

The Walk

Written by Winsome Bingham and illustrated by E.B. Lewis

In this beautiful book, a grandmother and her granddaughter go on a very important walk together. As they walk, more people join their group, talking about how important this walk is to them. In the end, we find out that they are taking a walk to go vote. This story of the importance of voting and voting rights touches on how important it is to vote, and how much it means to people. The beautiful illustrations show the power of the character’s emotions, and the uplifting ending encourages readers to look to the future.

How Do You Spell Unfair? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee

Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Frank Morrison

This book shares the true story of MacNolia Cox, the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio spelling bee, and one of the first African American students to compete at the National Spelling Bee. But when she reaches Maryland for the National Spelling Bee, she is faced with discrimination and prejudice. The text spells out important words throughout the book, while the oil and spray paint illustrations are full of deep colors showcasing the big emotions she is feeling. The foreword and epilogue add more information about the real events and MacNolia Cox’s legacy.

Zora, the Story Keeper

Written by Ebony Joy Wilkins and illustrated by Dare Coulter

Zora is a little girl who wants to grow up to be a storyteller just like her Aunt Bea. Whenever she goes to visit her aunt, they open the family book, and Aunt Bea tells Zora all about their family history. But when Aunt Bea gets sick, it is up to Zora to take over the storytelling duties. The sweet story celebrates the power of family and keeping our family history alive, while the mixed media illustrations use photographs from the author and illustrator’s real lives to show the love of family and the joy of life.

Build a House

Written by Rhiannon Giddens and illustrated by Monica Mikai

This book shares the story of millions of Africans who were enslaved and brought to America to build houses and grow crops. But when they tried to make lives for themselves, those in power tried to hold them down. The rhyming text and colorful illustrations show their resilience and determination and how they grow to tell their own stories. The back of the book includes an Afterword from the author, as well as a QR code that links to a performance of the text by the Grammy award winning author, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Stitch By Stitch: Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly Sews Her Way to Freedom

Written by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

This book introduces readers to Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly who was born into slavery but eventually bought freedom for herself and her son and eventually became a seamstress for Varina Davis and Mary Todd Lincoln. The text includes snippets from Keckly’s autobiography, while the illustrations are bursting with color and a variety of materials. The back of the book includes more information on Keckly’s life, as well as a note from the author, a timeline, and a bibliography.

Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging

Written by Eric Adjepong and illustrated by Lala Watkins

This book by Adjepong, a popular chef and finalist on Bravo’s Top Chef, shares the story of a young boy named Kofi whose family comes from Ghana, but lives in America. When Kofi’s teacher asks the class to bring a dish that represents their family to school, his family teaches him about the hardships that his ancestors faced, and the resilience they showed in the face of hardship. The back of the book includes a recipe for Jollof Rice, the dish that Kofi shares with his class in the book.

I Heard: An American Journey

Written by Jaha Nailah Avery and illustrated by Steffi Walthall

This book follows an artist as she shares her artwork and her inspiration with a group of children. Each piece of artwork evokes a moment in black history, with vibrant colors and powerful images illustrating each snapshot of time. The artist narrates the flow of artwork throughout history with a rhyming text that inspires powerful emotions. In the end, the children are inspired to create their own piece of artwork as well. The back of the book includes more information about each of the important moments celebrated in the artwork throughout the book.

Related Post: Children’s Books for Black History Month

Juneteenth Is…

Written by Natasha Tripplett and illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien

This story follows a young girl and her family as they celebrate Juneteenth together. From parades and family parties, to remembering the past and the ancestors that came before, the family recognizes the past and looks to the future all together. The illustrations are brightly colored and full of joy and family love, and the end of the book includes information about the importance of the color red in Juneteenth celebrations.

A Year of Black Joy: 52 Black Voices Share Their Life Passions

Written by Jamia Wilson and illustrated by Jade Orlando

This anthology asks 52 Black visionaries, creators and changemakers from around the world to share what brings them joy. From dance and classical music to archaeology and meterology, there are tons of ways that these inspirational people find joy. Each person gets a two page spread introducing themselves and sharing the things that bring them the most joy. Some even include instructions for trying out some of their favorite things for yourself!

What are your favorite new children’s books for Black History Month? Share in the comments below!

More Posts You May Enjoy: