Picture Books Celebrating Black History and Identity (2025)

Set against the backdrop of Harlem, a young girl is profoundly inspired by Janet Collins – the first African American prima ballerina. She is determined, overcomes adversity, and achieves her dreams against all odds.

A Dance Like Starlight promotes resilience and fosters empathy, courage, and dream-chasing in your students.

A series of poems tells the story of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan in 1915. She navigates through pain, poverty, and legal issues to pursue her dream of becoming a music icon.

Becoming Billie Holiday reflects on resilience and perseverance in adversity and the pursuit of dreams.

Baroness Benjamin recalls her journey from Trinidad to London as a ten-year-old, and how she overcame adversity, embraced hope, and demonstrated determination to build a new life in a new country. She went on to educate millions of children on TV and become a member of the House of Lords.

This book is a powerful tool to teach children about the experiences and contributions of Black people to British society and inspire them to be resilient and hopeful in the face of adversity.

Coretta Scott King was not just the wife of the renowned civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She was a pacifist committed to freedom work long before she met Dr. King. After Martin’s death, she continued the struggle, preserving his legacy for future generations.

Coretta’s Journey promotes discussions on resilience, social justice, standing strong in adversity, fighting for what is right, and the power of one’s voice.

A young black boy enters a barbershop as ‘a lump of clay’ and emerges feeling like royalty after his fresh cut. The boy’s newfound confidence demonstrates the significant impact of this simple act on his self-esteem and outlook.

Crown promotes discussions on the importance of self-confidence and self-worth, the role of cultural institutions in shaping identity, and finding joy and transformation in everyday experiences.

Belle learns to make Freedom Soup, a traditional Haitian dish, from her Ti Gran during New Year’s celebration. As they cook, Ti Gran shares the story of the Haitian Revolution, providing historical context for the significance of their culinary tradition.

Freedom Soup sparks conversations about family traditions, pride, unity, shared experiences, understanding one’s roots and the value of preserving and passing on cultural traditions.

Zuri adores her curly hair, even though it has a mind of its own. Her daddy steps up to the challenge, ready to learn and do whatever it takes to make Zuri and her hair shine with joy.

Hair Love fosters discussions on self-esteem, positive relationships, cultural pride and identity, self-expression, individuality and inclusivity.

Best friends Kishi and Renée are waiting for each other to apologise. They sit on their front porches, but before long, they forget their fight and join in the fun, showing the power of forgiveness and the strength of their friendship.

Hot Day on Abbott Avenue inspires discussions on conflict resolution, forgiveness, and positive friendships. Friendship’s ups and downs underline that bonds can endure even after a quarrel.

A young black boy describes himself as creative, smart, funny, adventurous, and a good friend. He acknowledges his failures but emphasises his resilience in overcoming setbacks. He shares his fears of being misjudged by others, revealing the reality many young black boys face.

I Am Every Good Thing explores self-acceptance, self-confidence, self-esteem, respect, resilience, and the struggles of being misunderstood.

Lola gathers memories of the Caribbean island where she was born for a school project. From tales of music, beaches, and sweet mangoes to a vibrant environment and its challenges, Lola begins to understand and take pride in her heritage.

Islandborn explores themes of belonging, identity, and inquiry and provides discussion points for your students, such as acknowledging the complexities of immigration and celebrating family ties.

Artist Jacob Lawrence found creative inspiration in the people, streets, and colours of Harlem. From his mother’s apartment, coloured with intricate patterns, to the streets full of faces, sounds, rhythms, and smells, Jake created a world that reflected the beauty and spirit of Harlem.

Jake Makes a World promotes discussions on creativity, self-expression, community impact, and art’s transformative power.

A young child leaves his Caribbean home and sails aboard the Empire Windrush to start a new life in England. He experiences many emotions as he says goodbye and faces the uncertainty of a new country and home.

Windrush Child initiates discussions on black history, hope, resilience, overcoming adversity, and the challenges associated with a new life in a different country.

Step into the world of a young boy brimming with excitement and confidence as he embarks on his first day of Kindergarten. The boy showcases self-confidence, enthusiasm, and healthy self-esteem through his journey as he eagerly engages with new friends and experiences.

The King of Kindergarten encourages students to approach new beginnings with confidence and enthusiasm, helping to foster a positive attitude towards school life.

On a bus ride with his nana, CJ questions why he doesn’t have the same things as his friends and why they volunteer. His nana’s positive responses help him see the beauty in what he has and the power of giving.

Last Stop on Market Street explores appreciation for what we have, the joy of gratitude, helping others in need, a sense of community, being reflective and considering different perspectives.

Elizabeth Cotten was left-handed but still taught herself to play her brother’s guitar backwards and upside down. By the time she was a teenager, she had discovered her own unique music and written the famous song “Freight Train”.

Reading Elizabeth’s story can be inspiring and teach important lessons about determination, self-belief, and never giving up.

Lillian is a centenarian African American woman determined to walk to her polling station to have her say. As she makes her way up the hill, she reflects on the efforts of her family to secure the right to vote.

Her great-grandfather was the first to do so after the Fifteenth Amendment was passed, her parents registered to vote, and she took part in the march from Selma to Montgomery to support the cause.

Ilyasah Shabazz writes about the childhood of her grandfather, Malcolm Little, later known as Malcolm X. Despite hardships and racial prejudice, Malcolm’s resilience and strength emerge, setting the stage for his transformation into a charismatic leader.

Malcolm Little promotes discussions on racial identity, resilience, Malcolm Little’s transformation to Malcolm X and self-belief.

An African American girl, Linda, learns about the Masai tribe at school. She daydreams and compares her urban life with the lifestyle of the Masai people, sparking kinship and respect.

Masai and I explores empathy and respect for different cultures, the role of education in broadening our worldview and respecting and valuing different lifestyles and cultures.

Alvina’s Grannie Vero hails from Trinidad, while Grannie Rose is from the north of England. Their different ways of doing things lead to a clash of cultures. Alvina finds a simple solution that helps her grannies understand and appreciate each other’s differences.

My Two Grannies explores respecting different cultures, resolving conflicts, bridging cultural differences, adaptability, and problem-solving.

Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon and started singing before she could talk. Her music was inspired by classical composers like Bach, whose pieces began softly and finished powerfully. During the Civil Rights Movement, Nina sang to stand up against racism and unfairness.

Nina used her voice to fight for justice and equality. You can use her story to discuss civil rights, discrimination, and social justice.

Mary Walker was born into slavery in 1848 and experienced the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. When she was 116 years old, she learned how to read and showed everyone that it is possible to learn no matter how old.

Mary Walker’s determination teaches us important lessons about black history, the joy of reading, perseverance, and character and exemplifies how people can adapt to change.

Opal Lee’s commitment to the cause deepened when, at twelve years old, an angry mob burned down her family’s home on June 19th. She gathered over 1.5 million signatures to make Juneteenth a national holiday, symbolising her vision of freedom and equality.

Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free promotes discussions on perseverance, determination, activism, freedom and the importance of Juneteenth in American history.

Clover and Annie live in houses divided by a fence, symbolising segregation. They are prohibited from crossing the fence because of their racial backgrounds. They break down this barrier through curiosity, one conversation at a time.

The Other Side inspires discussions on tolerance, open-mindedness, challenging societal norms and communication in breaking down barriers and forming connections.

When Paloma visits her family in Trinidad, she doesn’t feel she belongs. Tante Janet tells her a story about warrior queens and things that happened thousands of years ago. Paloma is part of this story, too! Her story starts in Africa.

Join Paloma and her aunt as they share how Paloma’s family journeyed from Africa to the Caribbean. They’ll talk about the hard times of colonization and slavery and how this adversity led to a vibrant and successful community.

Maya Angelou, a poet, author, and activist, was born into difficult circumstances and faced hardships growing up. She never gave up, turned her adversity into resilience and courage and, with it, achieved her dreams.

Maya wrote poetry that embraced her black identity and celebrated black history. Her words offered hope and inspired many to take risks and stand up for their beliefs.

Ruby Bridges became a symbol of courage during the Civil Rights Movement. She became the first African American student to attend an all-white school in New Orleans on her first day of school. Despite facing hostility and prejudice, Ruby remained strong, keeping her head high.

Ruby, Head High, translated from French, highlights Ruby’s bravery and resilience in adversity, inspiring readers to stand up against injustice and embrace equality.

Sarah Rising is set against the Black Lives Matter movement. Sarah takes part in a protest against racial injustice. She learns about standing up for equality and justice and the role of peaceful protest in bringing about change.

The book encourages discussions about activism, social justice, community engagement, and standing up against racism and intolerance.

Ava eagerly anticipates Saturdays for special bonding time with her mom. She learns that things can still work out beautifully when their plans don’t pan out as expected.

Read Saturday to foster discussions on the power of positivity, resilience in the face of disappointment, and adaptability in unexpected circumstances.

A mother and her baby are enjoying an ordinary day at home. However, their quiet day turns into a family gathering as relatives arrive one after another, each showing their love and affection towards the baby in their own unique way.

So Much! sparks conversations about the feelings of love, joy, and belonging that come from being part of a close-knit family, the diversity of familial relationships, and the role of fathers in a child’s life.

A teacher helps a young girl see beyond her scary feeling for her neighbourhood. She looks for beauty in her community with the help of her neighbours. Her beautiful journey helps her feel happy and hopeful.

Something Beautiful promotes discussions on a sense of community, poverty, finding beauty in our surroundings and hope.

You are the authors of your own stories. No one can tell you who you are ―it’s up to you! The Story of You illustrates how the actions we take and the words we say are essential to who we are.

The Story of You invites your students to discuss self-acceptance, confidence, empowerment, and perseverance. It inspires a positive outlook on life, stressing kindness in shaping our identities.

Sulwe has darker skin and wishes for lighter skin to avoid teasing. Her mother shares a profound story that helps Sulwe accept and love her unique beauty and ignore the negative opinions of others.

Sulwe fosters discussions about self-acceptance, embracing our unique features, and the importance of inner beauty. It also addresses colourism and respect for diversity.

Set in 1939 Harlem, Cassie Louise Lightfoot escapes her poverty by lying on her rooftop (her “tar beach”) and dreaming of flying over New York. These dreams become metaphors for breaking free from poverty’s imposed restrictions on her family.

Tar Beach inspires conversations on the impacts and challenges of poverty, the strength of community, the power of aspirations, and the cultivation of empathy by understanding different realities.

Follow the journey of an African American family during the Great Migration. A little girl in South Carolina finds a rope under a tree one summer. The rope symbolises hope and continuity, accompanying the family as they move north, searching for a better life.

This is the Rope promotes discussions on the Great Migration, family history, symbolism, resilience, determination, hope and continuity through generations.

This poem is a tribute to the African American experience, weaving past and present, highlighting the resilience and triumphs of black Americans amidst the hardships and challenges they have faced.

The Undefeated pays tribute to African Americans who fought against injustice through passion, grit and courage. It promotes discussions on resilience in adversity, remembering and acknowledging the past, hope, and the ongoing fight for equality and justice.

Kwame Alexander explores the history of slavery beginning in Africa. People were torn away from their families and everything familiar to them. They suffer in the cramped, hot spaces on slave ships and then do back-breaking work in a strange land. Enslaved people showed resilience, strength, and pride, refusing to be broken.

Unspoken sparks conversations about the painful truths of slavery, the undefeatable spirit of the human will, and acknowledging and understanding our collective past.

A family joins the monumental March on Washington in 1963 during a pivotal historical moment. From the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, they become part of the collective voice calling for racial harmony, led by Martin Luther King Jr.’s resonating “I Have a Dream” speech.

We March invites your students to explore how activism helps shape society, the values of fairness and equality, and the power of community.

As Michael drinks gritty water from a fountain, he is curious whether the water from the white-only fountain is better. Set in the segregated South just before the civil rights movement, he plucks up the courage to taste the white water, only to realise it is the same.

White Water inspires discussions on racial segregation and its impact, questioning unjust rules, determination, and the struggle for equality.

A girl feels disheartened as her name is mispronounced at school. Her mother reassures her that her “name is a song.” Empowered by this wisdom, she returns to school, prepared to embrace her identity and educate others.

Your Name is a Song initiates discussions on appreciating the diversity of names, fostering pride in our unique identities, and respecting and honouring individuals’ names, recognising that they are a crucial part of our identity.