Searching for ways to honor and celebrate Black History Month with your favorite young people?
Bibliophile Chrystyan Williams, Frazer’s Instructional Coordinator, is especially fond of children’s books. So when we asked her for some recommendations, she was happy to help. Here are Chrystyan’s thoughts about some of her favorite books.
Chrystyan’s Picks
Sulwe
Written by Lupita Nyong’o
Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
There's no shame in anyone’s skin complexion. However, it’s difficult for those of darker shades to be seen as beautiful as their fair-skinned counterparts. Take Sulwe; she was born the color of midnight. Join Sulwe in her self-discovery journey that turns from her seeing herself as inherently born ugly to discovering her name is all she needs to remember how bright she truly is, ultimately learning that there is no light without the dark.
Ages 4–8
Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad
Written and Illustrated by Henry Cole
What would you do if you had the chance to help a person find freedom? This wordless picture book shows one story of a little girl who finds a runaway slave hiding on her property. I absolutely love reading this story with younger children; they have a way of reading across the illustrations that tell the story on their own. They learn that this is not a story of slavery; this is a story of compassion and courage.
Ages 3-7
The Colors of Us
Written and Illustrated by Karen Katz
Are you the color of cinnamon? Of a peach? What about bronze? If you have doubts, enjoy this story of Lena and her mother going through their neighborhood and recognizing the complexities in complexions across the community. When you’re done, grab some red, yellow, white, and black paint and mix until you find the unique mix of your very own skin tone!
Ages 4–8
Black is a Rainbow Color
Written by Angela Joy
Illustrated by Ekua Holmes
We may not see the color black in a rainbow, but we see it in our crayon box and in so many other places. The young narrator of this beautiful book explores black as a color and Black as a culture. As a bonus, there are many great resources in the back of the book, including a music playlist, a timeline, and details about people and poems referenced in the book.
Ages 4–8
From a Cultural Perspective:
The Water Princess
Written by Susan Verde and Georgie Badiel
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Ages 5–8
Chidi Only Likes Blue: An African Book of Colours
Written by Ifeoma Onyefulu
Photography by Ifeoma Onyefulu
Ages 4–8
Sulwe
Written by Lupita Nyong'o
Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Ages 4–8
Nighttime Symphony
Written by Timbaland and Christopher Myers
Illustrated by Christopher Myers and Kaa Illustration
Ages 4–9
African American History:
Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad
Written and Illustrated by Henry Cole
Ages 3–7
Black is a Rainbow Color
Written by Angela Joy
Illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Ages 4–8
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Written and Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
Ages 4–8
Juneteeth for Mazie
Written and Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Ages 6–9
The ABCs of Black History
By Rio Cortez
Illustrated by Lauren Semmer
Ages 6–18
Celebrating Black Humans:
Happy to be Nappy
Written by bell hooks
Illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages 4–8
Hair Love
Written by Matthew A. Cherry
Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Ages 4–8
Mixed Me!
Written by Taye Diggs
Illustrated by Shane W. Evans
Ages 4–8
Chocolate Me!
Written by Taye Diggs
Illustrated by Shane W. Evans
Ages 4–8
Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children
Written by Sandra L. Pinkney
Photography by Myles C. Pinkney
Ages 2–8
Look What Brown Can Do!
Written by T. Marie Harris
Illustrated by Neda Ivanova
Ages 5–7
Seeing Black Faces:
Jabari Jumps
Written and Illustrated by Gaia Cornwall
Ages 4–8
The Colors of Us
Written and Illustrated by Karen Katz
Ages 4–8
I Am Enough
Written by Grace Byers
Illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
Ages 4–8
Max Found Two Sticks
Written and Illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Ages 5–8