Top 30 Black History Month Picture and Chapter Books
February 1st marks the start of Black History Month. While we incorporate African-American history throughout the year in our own homes, this month gives us a chance to dig deeper into some remarkable lives and stories.
We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite books that we’ve read to our children about African-American history and culture. A lot of the stories we have included are about children or are told from their point of view.
PERHAPS our list of book suggestions will help you further explore Black History Month with those you love too.
Be sure to check out our list of Over 35 of the Best African-American Read-Aloud Biographies.
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Folklore, Family and Inspiration
Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger. This book is a childhood favorite of ours that we have shared with our children. It is the story of a town frightened by Abiyoyo, the giant, and a boy who saves the day with his ukulele. There is a follow up book called Abiyoyo Returns.
John Henry by Julius Lester. John Henry is an American folklore hero, larger than life. This book tells his story of strength and courage as he helps build roads and tunnels with sledgehammers and steam drills.
Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams. This story is about a little boy who wishes to build a galimoto (toy truck) in Malawi, Africa. Not owning many things, he sets off to find the wire needed for his idea. This is also a childhood favorite of ours, that we have shared with our children.
The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy. A warm story about the bonds of family centered around a girl and her grandmother who loves to quilt.
Firebird: Ballerina Misty Copeland Shows a Young Girl How to Dance Like the Firebird by Misty Copeland. The author, American Ballet Theatre Soloist, Misty Copeland, gives words of encouragement to a young dancer who is unsure of herself. Great message about working hard, dreaming big and believing in yourself.
When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner. Beautiful book, written in rhyme, about how unique and special each one of us is… because God made us so.
The Secret River by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. This is the story of a little girl’s desire to help her family in a time of need during the Depression Era. Beautiful artwork shows her journey with her dog, Buggy Horse, as they find a secret river that just might help her family.
Underground Railroad
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson. This book is a fictional story about a young slave girl, Clara, who uses a quilt to map out a way to freedom. Clara was taught to sew by an older woman who cares for her after she is separated from her mother on another plantation. Great book to discuss the Underground Railroad and slavery from the eyes of a child.
Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad by Pamela Duncan Edwards. This story is told through the eyes of a runaway slave on the Underground Railroad and the forest animals he encounters while on his journey. The night is darker than usual as the moon is hidden behind clouds. The runaway must look for other clues to lead him to safety. The artwork is great and does a wonderful job of making you feel like you too are on the dark, frightening journey.
The Drinking Gourd; A Story of the Underground Railroad (I Can Read! Level 3) by F.N. Monjo. A little boy discovers runaway slaves in his barn after they followed the Drinking Gourd (the Big Dipper) on their journey on the Underground Railroad. Find out if the boy and his family are able to help the slaves escape to freedom. Simple, historical fiction book great for early readers.
. . . If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine. We love this series! This book is a great resource for introducing the Underground Railroad to younger children. It covers everything from how the Underground Railroad got its name, to what the President thought about it. Just enough information is given about each topic so it is not overwhelming to the reader.
Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret by Freddi Williams Evans. Simmy is a young slave who has an important job… he must watch for danger as other slaves come together to worship in a secret location. Slaves were not allowed to gather in groups, which included even in prayer, and if caught, there was punishment. This book is based on the true practice of enslaved African Americans having to gather in secret to pray.
Harriet Tubman
Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman by Alan Schroeder and Jerry Pinkney. This historical fiction book is based on what life was like for a young Harriet Tubman, whose nickname was Minty. As a child, she was known as “difficult” and was sent out to be a field slave after it was decided she wasn’t fit to be a house slave. Minty never gave up hope, determination or her dreams of freedom.
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford. Nicknamed Moses, Harriet Tubman was a deeply religious person who relied on her faith in God to help her with her work on the Underground Railroad. This book shows a fictional conversation between Harriet Tubman and God. It is a great resource for children already familiar with the Underground Railroad’s story.
Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling. This book highlights Harriet Tubman’s life and courageous work on the Underground Railroad. It is an easy to read chapter book.
Who was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough. Informative biography about Harriet Tubman in the “Who Was…?” series. The book contains illustrations also that help tell Harriet’s story.
Once a Slave
More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby. Booker T. Washington was born a slave. As a young child, Booker wanted to learn to read more than anything even though he knew slaves were not allowed. Inspiring story about the desire to learn and teach others. Booker T. Washington would grow up to build Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute… by hand.
Brick by Brick by Charles R. Smith. This book tells the story of how slaves, who had been rented out by their masters, contributed to building the White House. Construction was difficult work during this time before modern building equipment. Many of the slaves were later able to purchase their freedom using money earned from the skills they had learned.
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill. Beautiful story about a former slave who was a very skilled potter. He etched his pieces with poetry and some of his surviving works are pictured at the end of the book. Great choice for studying pottery as there is quite a bit of emphasis on the process of making a piece.
Hammering For Freedom by Rita Lorraine Hubbard. William Lewis was born a slave and from an early age learned to be a blacksmith. He was always fixing and making things for everyone to earn money. William was allowed to keep some of what he earned and dreamed of having enough to buy his family’s freedom. Remarkable story of determination.
The Kidnapped Prince: The Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano, adapted by Ann Cameron. Kidnapped at the age of 11 and sold into slavery, Olaudah writes of the terrible hardships endured during his time as a slave. You may wish to read the book first to know what to expect (for younger readers) regarding the horrible treatment of slaves mentioned in the story.
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis. This book is historical fiction set in Buxton, a Canadian settlement of runaway slaves near the United States border, and Elijah is the first child to be born free there. At eleven years old, Elijah heads out on a dangerous journey after someone steals money from his friend… money that was to be used to purchase his family’s freedom.
Civil Rights Stories
Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus, thus sparking the Montgomery bus boycott. This book tells the story of Rosa Parks and her supporters’ efforts for justice.
Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey. During the 1950’s, Ruth and her family are excited to travel in their new car (something most African Americans at the time could not afford). They soon found that not all hotels and gas stations treated them equally. Thankfully, a kind gas station attendant showed Ruth’s family The Green Book which was full of places that welcomed African Americans.
Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinson. This is based on the true story of Reverend John Berry Meachum who taught at a school in Missouri. A new law was passed that forbid African American education in the state and Meachum’s school was closed. Determined to teach his students, he comes up with a clever way to do just that!
Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Boston Weatherford. Connie is eight years old and lives during segregated times in North Carolina. She simply wants to order ice-cream and sit at the counter to enjoy it but signs are posted everywhere telling her she isn’t allowed to. One day she sees four young men take a stand at the restaurant which prompts the Greensboro Sit-Ins. Connie helps by making her own signs with her brother.
Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton & Raul Colon. The author, Paula Young Shelton (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s niece), was four years old when the story takes place, at the start of the Civil Rights Movement. This book is told from her point of view, as a child, based on her family’s recollection of the events.
History
Fort Mose: And the Story of the Man Who Built the First Free Black Settlement in Colonial America by Glennette Tilley Turner. Fort Mose was the first free African American settlement to legally exist in an area that eventually became America. It was also part of the Underground Railroad and was the most southern point along the journey.
1001 Things Everyone Should Know About African-American History by Jeffrey C. Stewart. This book is jam-packed with fascinating stories about people and events throughout African American history.
America’s Black Founders by Nancy I. Sanders. A collection of stories about dozens of African American men and women who helped significantly during the founding of America.
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48 Comments
Cindy
This is a great collection. Thank you for sharing! I may try to pick up one or two to share with my grandson’s class.
Charlene
Thank you. Sounds like a great idea for our grandson’s class.
heather jandrue
This is a great list of books. Thank you for sharing. My kids are older but will be sharing with my sister for her little one.
Charlene
Thank you much! We love to share good books we find.
Lucinda
I was introduced to Galimoto years ago. Still love it! John Henry is also a good one. Thanks for all of these suggestions. I love adding books to my library.
Charlene
Galimoto has been a favorite for me since childhood, when I saw it on Reading Rainbow. We love adding books to our library too!
jen
GREAT selection! and not just for kids…. I hope many folks read these!
Charlene
Thank you! We love reading children’s non-fiction picture books… we learn so much!
Charlotte
This is fantastic! I’ve not heard of many of these.
Charlene
Quite a few were new to us as well.
Lisa
This is a wonderful selection of books! I will be sharing with family members and some of my teacher friends.
Charlene
Aw, many thanks for sharing. Hope they find our list helpful!
Lora Rovegna
What a beautiful collection of books! I love books that entertain, inspire, and teach.
Charlene
We do too! We can’t resist bringing home a good children’s book to add to our collection… I always tell my husband “Could be worse, could be cats!”. Never too many books, right?!
Brianna
All of these books look very interesting and educational. Thank you for this list.
Charlene
Of course, happy to help.
Lisa Manderino
Great book recommendations! I love the themes for Black History month!
Charlene
Thank you. So many fascinating people to learn about!
Leslie W.
Totally adding this to my list for teaching.
Charlene
Happy to hear you found it useful!
Tricia Snow
What a great list! When I was raising my kids I made sure we did stuff for BHM.
Charlene
So great to hear, love it!
Julia Kelahan
Wonderful resource – thank you!
Charlene
Thank you so much and you’re welcome!
Allison
This is a great selection! I’m always looking for books to read with my kids that will help them understand the world where they live.
Charlene
We love children’s non-fiction picture books. I actually retain more information from them vs. adult books. Must be the artwork that helps me connect!
judean
I don’t have children but these are great for my nephews. I wish I would have read this before today and I would have given them the book to share and read TODAY! Thanks – I’ll remember for next time!
Charlene
Sounds like a great idea for next year. We keep our books out year round. Happy reading!
Jennifer
An interesting selection
Charlene
Quite interesting people for sure.
Rachel
What a great list, thanks!
Charlene
Of course!
Sydney Delong
Great list! I will have to keep it in mind for when my son is older!
Charlene
Thank you and great idea!
Robin
All these books sound like great reads! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Charlene
We love to spread the word on great books!
Eva
What a terrific list of books! My grandkids are homeschooled, but they come over here once or twice a week and I take them to the library. I can’t wait to go pick up a few of these to read together. Going to log on and put some on hold now. THANK YOU!
Charlene
So nice to hear! Hope you enjoy lots of snuggles and reading with your grandkids.
Amy Irvin
Thanks! This is a great list.
Charlene
Thanks a bunch!
Tara
Such a fantastic list of books. I’ll recommend this post to my teacher friends who may want to use this list for February. I have not heard of many of these.
Charlene
Thanks for sharing our list with others. Many of the amazing people were new to us as well. So much to learn!
Elizabeth
Great list of books! I’ll need to pick a few to read to my kiddos.
Charlene
Sounds like a great plan… happy reading!
T.M. Brown
Great list! When we were homeschooling, we had some of these on our list of must-reads during the month of February (at the least!). My boys enjoyed picking them back up time and time again.
Charlene
That is so great to hear! Hooray for well stocked bookshelves!
Cindy
What a wonderful collection of books to share with children!
Charlene
Many thanks… we love to share great books with others.