Exciting Books for Young Kids Learning About Black History

You're never too young to learn about people who overcame enormous obstacles to survive and achieve great things. These books teach kids about African American men and women who excelled in art, music, and science, as well as heroes of social justice from Harriet Tubman to Rosa Parks. They're captivating reading for Black History Month or anytime. Little kids will love hearing the exciting stories about these incredible role models. For more historical reads, check out Civil Rights Books and Award-Winning African American Books.

Filter by:
Black Boy, Black Boy Book Cover
BOOK

Black Boy, Black Boy

age 4+

A beautifully illustrated celebration of Black men and boys.

By: Ali Kamanda , Jorge Redmond (2022)
See full review
Charlotte and the Nutcracker: The True Story of a Girl Who Made Ballet History Poster Image
BOOK

Charlotte and the Nutcracker: The True Story of a Girl Who Made Ballet History

age 4+

Inspiring story of young ballet dancer's leap into history.

By: Charlotte Nebres (2021)
See full review
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race Poster Image
BOOK

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

age 4+

Picture book intro to important, inspirational story.

By: Margot Lee Shetterly , Winifred Conkling (2018)
See full review
Jazz Age Josephine Poster Image
BOOK

Jazz Age Josephine

age 4+

Jazzy bio of Josephine Baker inspiring, bittersweet.

By: Jonah Winter (2012)
See full review
Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice Poster Image
BOOK

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice

age 4+

Inspiring, colorful story of senator's lifetime of work.

By: Nikki Grimes (2020)
See full review
Mae Among the Stars Poster Image
BOOK

Mae Among the Stars

age 4+

Simple bio of first African American female astronaut.

By: Roda Ahmed (2018)
See full review
Mahalia Jackson: Walking with Kings and Queens Poster Image
BOOK

Mahalia Jackson: Walking with Kings and Queens

age 4+

Gorgeous, uplifting picture-book bio of the Queen of Gospel.

By: Nina Nolan (2015)
See full review
Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters Poster Image
BOOK

Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters

age 4+

Picture book bio of blues great has dazzling art.

By: Michael James Mahin (2017)
See full review
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul Poster Image
BOOK

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

age 4+

Dazzling art captures Aretha's career and activism.

By: Carole Boston Weatherford (2021)
See full review
Rosa Poster Image
BOOK

Rosa

age 4+

Spectacular illustrations spotlight Parks' historic protest.

By: Nikki Giovanni (2006)
See full review
Trombone Shorty Poster Image
BOOK

Trombone Shorty

age 4+

Fun, upbeat story of a boy, a trombone, and jazz.

By: Troy Andrews (2015)
See full review
All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson cover: Ketanji Brown stands smiling in front of the Supreme Court building wearing a judge's robe; blue sky and clouds above.
BOOK

All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson

age 5+

Inspiring story of the history-making Supreme Court justice.

By: Carole Boston Weatherford (2023)
See full review
A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon Poster Image
BOOK

A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon

age 5+

Inspiring bio of brilliant NASA mathematician in the 1960s.

By: Suzanne Slade (2019)
See full review
Freedom in Congo Square Poster Image
BOOK

Freedom in Congo Square

age 5+

Enslaved people's culture, jazz roots shine in lyrical book.

By: Carole Boston Weatherford (2016)
See full review
I Am Harriet Tubman: Ordinary People Change the World Poster Image
BOOK

I Am Harriet Tubman: Ordinary People Change the World

age 5+

Courage, doing the right thing are themes in thrilling bio.

By: Brad Meltzer (2018)
See full review
Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better cover.
BOOK

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better

age 5+

Sweet picture book about the inventor of modern ice cream.

By: Glenda Armand , Kim Freeman (2023)
See full review
Justice Rising cover.
BOOK

Justice Rising: 12 Amazing Black Women in the Civil Rights Movement

age 5+

Exceptional picture book about civil rights heroes.

By: Katheryn Russell-Brown (2023)
See full review
Overground Railroad Poster Image
BOOK

Overground Railroad

age 5+

Captivating story of a family's migration North to freedom.

By: Lesa Cline-Ransome (2020)
See full review
Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis Poster Image
BOOK

Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis

age 5+

Fun, charming look at civil rights leader's childhood.

By: Jabari Asim (2016)
See full review
Saving American Beach Poster Image
BOOK

Saving American Beach

age 5+

Impressive true tale of woman who protected inclusive beach.

By: Heidi Tyline King (2021)
See full review