Black joy & identity books

Ages 3–8

Brad Meltzer

This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big.

Ages 3–8

Wade Hudson

Jamal's busy day by Wade Hudson — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Polly Greenberg

Finally, sunset approaches, and a special treat awaits. Based on a sharecropper's childhood memories, Polly Greenberg's rhythmic text and Aliki's sun-soaked illustrations make an unforgettable tale just right for the youngest reader.

Ages 3–8

John Agard

Of course, the match ends in a dead heat, but the contestants take it all in good humour when they discover how they've been fooled. After all, as Brer Rabbit tells them, 'friendship is longer than rope'.

Ages 3–8

Patrick Jones

Heart or Mind by Patrick Jones — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Dianna Hutts Aston

Caldecott Honor–winning painter Jerry Pinkney and the poetic Dianna Hutts Aston create a moving tribute to the historic Apollo 11 Mission, just in time to commemorate its upcoming fortieth anniversary.

Ages 3–8

Carolivia Herron

An elderly black grandmother passes on the story of the family’s Jewish origins to her young granddaughter, Carol Olivia. As family members flee the Spanish Inquisition, are kidnapped by pirates and eventually sail to America, one daughter in each generation is given the name Olivia, from the Hebrew Shulamit meaning “peace,” to honor the Jewish part of their ancestry.

Ages 3–8

Angela Johnson

Do like Kyla by Angela Johnson — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Karen E. Lotz

Skipping, hopping, biking, and dancing her way through the seasons of the year, a young girl explores her big-city neighborhood. Exuberant text and art celebrate a child's relationship to her world. Full color.

Ages 3–8

Toni Trent Parker

Hugs and hearts by Toni Trent Parker — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Virginia Hamilton

Will the unit be restored in time to fight against this new threat? Dustland is the second book of Virginia Hamilton's dystopian fantasy series, the Justice Trilogy, comprised of Justice and Her Brothers, Dustland, and The Gathering.

Ages 3–8

Marybeth Lorbiecki

A young boy takes a gun to school to scare off the bully who has been tormenting him, and the gun is accidentally fired during a scuffle.

Ages 3–8

Barbara E Barber

Determined in her effort to play basketball, a young African American girl gives it one more shot with the support of a special friend.

Ages 3–8

Richard Jackson

As Sophie and her grandpa talk, he asks her to find items he's "lost" throughout the day, guiding Sophie on a tour through his daily life and connecting their generations in this sweet, playful picture book illustrated by Caldecott Medalist and Laura Ingalls Wilder Award winner Jerry Pinkney.

Ages 3–8

Jonah Winter

This is a journey that began in many places. It began in Kansas, home of Barack’s mother. It began in Africa, home of Barack’s father. It began in Hawaii one moonlit night, the night that Barack was born.

Ages 3–8

Stewart Lees

Isaac's grandfather tell him the amazing story of Jack and his sister Molly, who were sold into slavery. Accompanied by a historical note on slavery in the Southern States of America.

Ages 3–8

Tom Tierney

Detailed authentic depictions of 10 great stars, Bert Williams to Louis Armstrong, in celebrated roles, concert performances. Hattie McDaniel, Paul Robeson, Billie Holiday, Bill Robinson, more. Biographies.

Ages 3–8

Janet Lee Carey

Fifteen-year-old Miles Ferrell uses the rare and special gift he is given to break the curse of the Shriker, a murderous creature reportedly brought to Shalem Wood by his family's clan centuries before.

Ages 3–8

Michael Medearis

Daisy, an eight-year-old black girl living in rural Vermont in the 1890s, is given a black doll by her teacher and becomes uncomfortable that her skin is a different color from that of her classmates, until she finds the courage to speak ...

Ages 3–8

Leslie Davis Guccione

Twelve-year-old Freedom, the son of a freed slave living in Delaware in the early 1850s, takes over his father's work in the Underground Railroad when his father disappears.

Ages 3–8

Alison Oliver

"Be inspired by Oprah's most influential and legendary moments in this Be Bold, Baby board book!"--Back cover.

Ages 3–8

Susan Keeter

Honey baby sugar child by Susan Keeter — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Tonya Hegamin

Even though Mama is an agent on the Underground Railroad, in order to help others she remains a slave, teaching her daughter the value of freedom through her gift of love and sacrifice.

Ages 3–8

Edwidge Danticat

Award-winning memoirist Edwidge Danticat's rich and lyrical text envelops the reader in the security of a mother's love, and debut artist Shannon Wright's vibrant art infuses the story with even more warmth.