Tag: Black Authors

“Of 3,200 children’s books published in 2013, just 93 were about black people, according to a study by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin” Author Christopher Myers writes in his 2014 New York Times op-ed, titled the Apartheid of Children’s Literature. Sadly, there are more children’s books written about animals than there are about children of color. “This apartheid of literature – in which characters of color are limited to the townships of occasional historical books that concern themselves with the legacies of civil rights and slavery but are never given a pass card to traverse the lands of adventure, curiosity, the imagination of personal growth…”  may lead young children to think that stories of happy black children do not exist in real life or books. 

Are there books about talking animals?… And superpowers? And the olden days when people dressed funny? And all the combinations of those things? Like talking animals with superpowers in magical futures… but no me?

Opinion ┃ The Apartheid of Children’s Literature – The New York Times

In the most recent years, there has been a significant increase in black children’s book authors and stories with black protagonists. Data shows a 10% increase, from 2% of children’s books published in the year 2013 being about black people to 12% in the year 2020. Stories about black lives are worthy of being told, thought about, discussed, and even celebrated. Many of the newly published books with black protagonists are about self-love, these stories affirm the readers’ own identity. 

Below is an unabashed list of 100 children’s books with black protagonists written by black authors. The list is meant to celebrate stories about black youth. The list is broken up into 3 categories: 15 board books for baby to age 2, 60 picture books for children 3 to 7, and 25 children’s books for ages 8 to 12. Reading about different cultures, ethnic groups, and races is beneficial to all children. The list is not just for black children or black parents; please consider diversifying your bookshelf, no matter the skin color of the child who will read the book.

15 Board Books for Baby to Age 2: featuring Black Characters

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60 Picture Books for kids age 3 to 7: Stories about Joyful Black Children

Sleeping on Tar Beach was magical. Laying on the roof in the night, with stars and skyscraper buildings all around me, made me feel rich, like I owned all that I could see.

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

I am a canvas being painted on by the words of my friends, family, and community. Sometimes the words are painted with blacks and grays, that leave me feeling confused. Other times the palette is filled with blues that make me want to scream and holler in a bluesy kind of way “I am not feeling it today!”

Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

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25 Children’s books with Black Protagonist for kids age 8 to 12

Today is Laundry day! My name is Gary and I love to learn about Great Inventors. Please join me as I learn about Thomas Jennings, the first African American to receive a patent for his invention in the United States.

Gary and the Great Inventors: It’s Laundry Day!

One day a man came to the VanDerZee home with a huge contraption called a camera. It was the only camera in Lenox. Click! Boom! The man took the family’s picture and left.

Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerZee!