9 Popular African American Books for Kids

Representation Matters! African American Books are a great way to start.

Although reading with children is so very rewarding for both adults and child, little kids need time to look at books alone. This allows them the opportunity to look at the pictures and develop the habit of reading even though they can’t yet read. In my Family Child Care, I have different libraries available in different rooms in my home.

The kids have labeled these areas libraries themselves, and will often rotate the books from room to room and act out going to the library daily. Imagine my surprise when I first witnessed a three-year-old taking the younger kids to the library.

By sharing books with your young child, you are planting a precious memory that will last a lifetime for both parent and child. They in turn will continue the tradition with their children and remember those special times. A world of experiences and ideas is waiting for you to introduce to them.

African American Books for Children to Read!

Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet

Fetchin’ Findo is Donny’s new toy dog—and he looks and acts like a real pet, too! He can even find a bone. But when Doc throws the bone for Findo, he brings back one of her toys instead. Doc suspects Findo needs a checkup, so she brings him to her clinic. But Findo can only bark…he can’t tell Doc how he’s feeling, so Doc gets the McStuffins Veterinary Clinic ready. Read along as Doc helps Findo fetch again!

Dream Big, Little One

Among these women, you’ll find heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary things – bold women whose actions and beliefs contributed to making the world better for generations of girls and women to come. Whether they were putting pen to paper, soaring through the air, or speaking up for the rights of others, the women profiled in these pages were all taking a stand against a world that didn’t always accept them.

Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You

Adapted from the award-winning, bestselling Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, this book takes readers on a journey from present to past and back again. Kids will discover where racist ideas came from, identify how they impact America today, and meet those who have fought racism with anti-racism. Along the way, they’ll learn how to identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their own lives.

Hair Love

Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he’ll do anything to make her — and her hair — happy.

Ada Twist, Scientist

Ada Twist’s head is full of questions. Like her classmates Iggy and Rosie—stars of their own New York Times bestselling picture books Iggy Peck, Architect, and Rosie Revere, Engineer—Ada has always been endlessly curious. Even when her fact-finding missions and elaborate scientific experiments don’t go as planned, Ada learns the value of thinking her way through problems and continuing to stay curious.

Not Quite Snow White

Tameika is a girl who belongs on the stage. She loves to act, sing, and dance—and she’s pretty good at it, too. So when her school announces their Snow White musical, Tameika auditions for the lead princess role. But the other kids think she’s “not quite” right to play the role. They whisper they snicker, and they glare. Will Tameika let their harsh words be her final curtain call?

Lola Plants a Garden

How does your garden grow? Book-loving Lola is inspired by a collection of garden poems that she reads with her mommy. She wants to plant her garden of beautiful flowers, so she and Mommy go to the library to check out books about gardening. They choose their flowers and buy their seeds. They dig and plant. And then they wait. Lola finds it hard to wait for her flowers to grow, but she spends the time creating her flower book. Soon she has a garden full of sunflowers and invites all of her friends for cakes and punch and a story amongst the flowers.

The ABCs of Black History

Letter by letter, The ABCs of Black History celebrates a story that spans continents and centuries, triumph and heartbreak, creativity and joy. It’s a story of big ideas––P is for Power, S is for Science and Soul. Of significant moments––G is for Great Migration. Of iconic figures––H is for Zora Neale Hurston, and X is for Malcolm X. It’s an ABC book like no other and a story of hope and love.

Daddy’s Arms

“Daddy’s Arms” is a fun children’s book that tells the story of a little boy’s adorable and amusing everyday interactions with his dad. Whether it’s playtime, bath time, or bedtime, this wildly imaginative child has his dad’s arms take center stage for every fantastic new adventure. This book celebrates the bond between father and child as well as the joy of fatherhood. Parents and guardians will certainly enjoy reading Daddy’s Arms to kids, just as much as kids will enjoy listening to them.