Exciting Books for Young Kids Learning About Black History

Last updated: June 18, 2026

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.

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Baby Young, Gifted, and Black book cover: Black child with crown and wings, title in large brown font on turquoise background

BOOK

Baby Young, Gifted, and Black

age 2+

Sweet, affirming board book about Black excellence.

Jamia Wilson Board (2021)

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Black Boy, Black Boy Book Cover

BOOK

Black Boy, Black Boy

age 4+

A beautifully illustrated celebration of Black men and boys.

Ali Kamanda , Jorge Redmond Picture Book (2022)

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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.

Charlotte Nebres Picture Book (2021)

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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.

Margot Lee Shetterly , Winifred Conkling Picture Book (2018)

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Jazz Age Josephine Poster Image

BOOK

Jazz Age Josephine

age 4+

Jazzy bio of Josephine Baker inspiring, bittersweet.

Jonah Winter Picture Book (2012)

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Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice Poster Image

BOOK

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice

age 4+

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

Nikki Grimes Picture Book (2020)

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Mae Among the Stars Poster Image

BOOK

Mae Among the Stars

age 4+

Simple bio of first African American female astronaut.

Roda Ahmed Picture Book (2018)

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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.

Nina Nolan Biography (2015)

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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.

Michael James Mahin Picture Book (2017)

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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.

Carole Boston Weatherford Picture Book (2021)

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Rosa Poster Image

BOOK

Rosa

age 4+

Spectacular illustrations spotlight Parks' historic protest.

Nikki Giovanni History (2006)

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So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story book cover: Joyful parade and celebration scenes held in open hands

BOOK

So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story

age 4+

Poetic celebration of resilience and the power of Black joy.

Anne Wynter Picture Book (2025)

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The Gathering Table book cover: A smiling Black boy holds a plate of food at a table, surrounded by joyful people at a vibrant outdoor gathering

BOOK

The Gathering Table

age 4+

A heartfelt celebration of family, food, and togetherness.

Antwan Eady Picture Book (2025)

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The History of We book cover: An elegant painted portrait of a young Black child surrounded by vibrant green foliage and a purple flower

BOOK

The History of We

age 4+

Beautiful exploration of humankind's original family tree.

Nikkolas Smith Picture Book (2025)

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They Built Me for Freedom book cover: Black children of different skin tones happily run in a park on a sunny day.

BOOK

They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park

age 4+

Stunning Juneteenth book celebrates freedom, unity, and joy.

Tonya Duncan Ellis Picture Book (2024)

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Trombone Shorty Poster Image

BOOK

Trombone Shorty

age 4+

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

Troy Andrews Autobiography (2015)

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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.

Suzanne Slade Picture Book (2019)

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A Kids Book About Juneteenth book cover: Book title in white and brown letters fit around photos of black people, flowers

BOOK

A Kids Book About Juneteenth

age 5+

Spare, bold book shares Juneteenth's enduring meaning.

Garrison Hayes History (2023)

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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.

Carole Boston Weatherford Picture Book (2023)

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Black Girl, Black Girl book cover: Young Black girl in overalls surrounded by famous Black women

BOOK

Black Girl, Black Girl

age 5+

Inspiring tale of great Black women in the quilt of history.

Ali Kamanda , Jorge Redmond Picture Book (2024)

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