Black History month was one of my favorite times of year as an elementary school teacher. I added to my picture book collection each year and found some absolute gems to help teach my students about some of the remarkable Black men and women that have made a difference in this world.
Here's a list of my favorites. I hope you can check them out and have the much needed conversations with your loved ones about race, diversity, culture, and doing a little bit better to understand everyone who comes across our path.
The girls are just amazing! This story will make you love them if you don't already and appreciate all of their hard work and mutual support of one another. They have changed the sport of tennis for good! You should also check out the movie King Richard which is a phenomenal story of their lives.
In this one you'll learn all about how Harriet earned her nickname Moses. She was incredible brave and fearless as she made multiple trips up North. I also love the movie Harriet.
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated Stasia Burrington
Mae Jemison was the first African-American woman to go to space. She is brave, smart, and determined!
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Beautifully written, and incredible illustrations, The Undefeated features many many familiar faces and is one you'll want to pore over again and again.
Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson
Little Parker went to visit the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. and her life was completely changed when she saw the portrait of Michelle Obama.
Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton, illustration by Dan Tate
The journey of the inventor of the super-soaker! Super fun read!
Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier
How MLK wrote his I Have a Dream speech and the people that helped him get there.
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier
A slave with an amazing talent for pottery.
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph became the World's Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by David Diaz
This girl is amazing! She had polio as a child and then became an Olympic gold medalist!
Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by Raul Colon
If you are familiar with Hidden Figures, you will know about Katherine Johnson. She is the incredible mathematician behind NASA launching spacecraft in the 1950s!
When Marian Sang: The True Recital by Marian Anderson by Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrated by Brian Selznick
Amazing vocalist and role model!
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Artist and football player, Ernie Barnes found a way to make all his dreams come true.
Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Jazz is such an important part of U.S. History and this is a must read about a prodigy trombone player.
Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Following Dr. Martin Luther King's lead on peaceful protest, these four friends sat at the white only counter at Woolworth's and inspired many other young people to do the same all across the south.
Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jamey Christoph
An incredible photographer, Gordon's pictures are featured in Life and Vogue magazine as he captured life in America.
The Power of Her Pen by Leesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by John Parra
This is a biography on Ethel Payne who was a journalist in the early 1900's.
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles, illustrated by George Ford
I have always loved the story of Ruby Bridges. What a brave little girl to stand up and agree to be the only Black girl in an all-white school. She set the precedent for desegregation in schools which is amazing!
The Real McCoy by Wendy Towle, illustrated by Wil Clay
Elijah McCoy invented the automatic oil cup and was a true pioneer in his contributions to technology and science.
