It’s February! We are thrilled to share these new kids books for Black History Month, full of stories both well known and previously unknown!

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I Can Be Brave Like Martin Luther King Jr.

Written by Christopher Robbins and illustrated by Susanna Covelli

This finger puppet book introduces little ones to Martin Luther King Jr. and his life’s accomplishments. The simple text takes the reader from King’s childhood to his adulthood and his work in civil rights. The cute illustrations include a hole in each page so the finger puppet head of King can peek through each picture.

Black Girl, Black Girl: Celebrate the Power of You

Written by Ali Kamanda and Jorge Redmond and illustrated by Amanda Quartey

This beautiful rhyming picture book follows a young girl and her mother as she introduces her daughter to powerful black women who have made a difference in the world. The inspirational text encourages the young girl, and the reader, to learn from these women and reach for her dreams. The back of the book includes more information about each of the famous women highlighted in the book.

Wash Day with Mama

Written by Monica Mikai

This picture book celebrates the ritual of wash day between a mother and her daughter. The descriptive text follows them through each step of the process, highlighting the joyful and soothing moments, and sharing the familial history of the task as well. The beautiful illustrations highlight the joy between mother and daughter.

Related Post: More New Kid’s Books for Black History Month

They Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom

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

This picture book combines stories of real life people who fought and resisted during the time of slavery in the United States. The narrator is a young man named Teach who secretly knows how to read and write, and uses these skills to help others. The text is accompanied by beautiful watercolor illustrations. In the back of the book, there is an author’s note detailing the inspiration behind the book, and a list of more books about resistance for readers to enjoy.

Sharing the Dream

Written by Sheila P. Moses and illustrated by Keith Mallett

This beautiful book follows a young girl named Agnes as she heads to the March on Washington with her family. The text shares a child’s perspective on the historical events, and the beautiful illustrations highlight the emotions of the day. The back of the book includes an author’s note about the March on Washington, as well as information on the famous people who took part in the March that are featured in the book.

A Voice of Hope: The Myrlie Evers-Williams Story

Written by Nadia Salomon and illustrated by London Ladd

This picture book biography details the incredible life and accomplishments of Myrlie Evers-Williams. The text follows her from her childhood in the segregated South, to her fight for Civil Rights, and her accomplishments performing at Carnegie Hall and speaking at President Obama’s inauguration. The brightly colored illustrations throughout the book highlight the important moments in her life, and the back of the book includes a note from the author about her opportunity to interview Evers-Williams.

Related Post: Black History Month Books for Kids

Let’s Fly! Barrington Irving’s Record Breaking Flight Around the World

Written by Barrington Irving and Chana Stiefel and illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice

This picture book shares the incredible story of Barrington Irving, the youngest person and first Black man to fly solo around the world. The text follows him from his childhood through adulthood, detailing his accomplishments and the inspiration he found to chase his dreams. The detailed illustrations show his many accomplishments, while also including captioned illustrations of planes, engines, and cockpits. The back of the book includes a timeline of Barrington Irving’s life, as well as more information about his flight and life, and quotes from the man himself.

Esi the Brave (Who Was Not Afraid of Anything)

Written by Bernard Mensah and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

In this picture book, a young girl named Esi is heading to the Kakamotobi Festival in Ghana. She knows that there will be loud music, a big crowd, and lots of scary monster masks, but she is confident she can face it. However, when she gets there, it is scarier than she expected, especially when she loses her family. But Esi is able to use her inner strength to make her way through the festival and find her family again. The back of the book includes a note from the author with more information about the Kakamotobi Festival.

Make Your Mark: The Empowering True Story of the First Known Black Female Tattoo Artist

Written by Jacci Gresham with Sherry Fellores and illustrated by David Wilkerson

This picture book biography shares the true story of Jacci Gresham, the first known Black female tattoo artist. The text is broken up in Gresham’s steps for making your mark in the world, from straying outside the lines, to letting your light shine. Kids will enjoy watching her grow from a young child in art class, to a strong woman doing what she loves. The back of the book includes a note from the author about her life and inspiration.

Unstoppable John

Written by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Jerry Jordan

When John Lewis was a young boy, all he wanted was a library card. In 1956 though, black people weren’t allowed to have library cards. The text shares how this injustice was part of what spurned him to his lifelong fight for civil rights. The colorful illustrations show John Lewis as he grows into an adult, fighting for civil rights and eventually being elected to the US House of Representatives and writing his own books. In the back of the book, there is an author’s note with more information about John Lewis and his accomplishments, as well as a timeline of his life.

Prince Among Slaves

Written by N.H. Senzai and illustrated by Anna Rich

This picture book shares the true story of Prince Abdulrahman Sori, an African prince who was sold into slavery. The heartbreaking story and intense illustrations highlight the horrors of slavery, and the powerful faith that Prince Abdulrahman maintained. The back of the book includes an author’s note that shares more information about the story and the author’s connection to it.

Jollof Day

Written by Bernard Mensah and illustrated by Annalise Barber-Opp

This colorful picture book joins a father and son as they wake up early and work together to create Jollof. The descriptive text is paired with watercolor and colored pencil illustrations that highlight all of the chopping, blending, and stirring, as well as the love between father and son. In the end, the family comes together to share this family tradition. In the back of the book, there is a recipe for Jollof Rice.

Related Post: Kid’s Books about Food and Cooking

The Day Madear Voted

Written by Wade Hudson and illustrated by Don Tate

In this beautiful picture book, Charlie and Ralph’s mom Madear is excited to finally vote for the first time. The text shares the hurdles that Black people faced in order to have the right to vote, and follows Madear as she votes for the first time, and grows older to eventually see the first Black president. The back of the book includes notes from the author and the illustrator about the inspiration for the story.

The Story of Fannie Lou Hamer

Written by Margeaux Weston

This chapter book biography shares the life and accomplishments of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist. The book shares tidbits of her life, from childhood to adulthood. The text is easy to read and the pages are also full of colorful illustrations, timelines, maps, and highlighted quotes. In the back of the book, there is a quiz about the facts in the book, as well as more information and a glossary of terms used in the book.

The Story of Sojourner Truth

Written by Anita Crawford Clark

This illustrated biography introduces readers to Sojourner Truth and her accomplishments. Born into slavery, Truth became a leader in the anti-slavery movement. The chapters outline her life from childhood to adulthood, and the text is accompanied by lots of illustrations, timelines, highlighted quotes, and additional facts. The back of the book includes a quiz, a glossary, and more information about her life.

The Story of Serena Williams

Written by Shadae B. Mallory

In this chapter book biography, readers learn about the life of Serena Williams. The chapters share important moments from her childhood and her life as a tennis phenomenon. The text is accompanied by colorful illustrations, quotes, timelines, and additional facts. In the back of the book, there is a quiz, a glossary, a bibliography, and more.

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.

Written by Christine Platt

This illustrated chapter book teaches kids about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, from childhood to adulthood. The text and illustrations are full of nonfiction text features like highlighted quotes, bolded words, and additional facts in the margins. The back of the book includes as quiz, a glossary, and more information about King’s life.

Beyond the Game: Athletes Change the World: LeBron James

Written by Andrew Maraniss and illustrated by DeAndra Hodge

This chapter book introduces readers to the life and accomplishments of LeBron James. The easy to read chapters walk the reader through James’ childhood and adult life, highlighting his many accomplishments in the world of sports, and his efforts to make a difference in the world. The text is accompanied by illustrations of James’ throughout his life, and the back of the book includes lots of extras, including a timeline, stats, and a glossary.

Beyond the Game: Athletes Change the World: Maya Moore

Written by Andrew Maraniss and illustrated by DeAndra Hodge

This chapter book outlines the life and accomplishments of Maya Moore. From her childhood playing basketball, to her work speaking out against racism and injustices in the justice system. The text is accompanied by illustrations of Maya throughout her life, and the back of the book includes stats, a glossary, and resources for families.

Sports Superheroes: Stephen Curry

Written by Josh Bycel and Rich Korson and illustrated by Damion Scott

This graphic novel follows two young kids as they meet the Sports Superheroes and are tasked with finding the next great sports legend to join their ranks. The kids enthusiastically nominate Stephen Curry, and share his life story and accomplishments with the Superheroes, and with the reader. Kids will love the fast paced story and the detailed illustrations, and the cliffhanger ending leaves the series open to continue.

Radiant

Written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

In this novel, a  young girl named Cooper Dale is about to start fifth grade in 1963. While she struggles with issues of race and class, she is also thrilled to share her love of the Beatles with her teenage sister. This beautiful novel celebrates faith and family set in a complicated world.

What are your favorite new kids books for Black History Month? Share them in the comments below!

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