5 Inspiring Black History Books Perfect for Kids

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Let’s celebrate Black history! These incredible Black history books for young kids will inspire you and your children.

For more reading and activities, check out these Women History Books With Corresponding Kids Activities.

How to Make Black History Interesting for Kids with Books

Reading aloud is one of the best ways to open minds and provide lots of “teachable moments.”

A good book is the best conversation starter with your children and black history is no exception.

How can we connect our kids with Black history?

History comes alive through stories, and what inspiring stories we can read our children about Black history!

Teaching history doesn’t have to come through textbooks.

These beautiful Black history books for kids will provide a great jumping off point to teach even young children about the world they live in.

What can we learn? How can we make it a better place? It all starts with a great book.

5 Inspiring Black History Books for Kids

This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt

This toe-tapping book take a fresh spin on the classic “This Old Man” melody. Get your kids involved and give them drums or instruments to play while you read. Then listen and dance to a few tunes from jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington! Perfect fun start to teaching kids about black history through children’s books.

Skin Like Mine by LaTashia M. Perry

This beautiful book celebrates diversity in a fun and creative way! Talk about the beauty of different skin colors with your child, then make a tasty treat together, inspired by this fun book!

For more activities centered around books, try this Easy & Creative Book Based Abstract Art Activity for Kids.

Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison

Dream Big, Little One is the irresistible kids board book adaptation of Little Leaders Bold Women in Black History. Discover the stories of 18 inspiring black women who changed the world. Give your child art materials to make a portrait of their favorite figure from the book. Or, have your child create a self-portrait with crayons, yarn, and glue. Let them decorate their portrait to show what they will do to change the world.

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

In this wonderfully illustrated picture book, adventure with Gary as he discovers Thomas Jennings, the first African American to get a U.S. Patent. Awesome kids book to start conversations on black history. Want to join in the creativity? Dump out the contents of your kitchen junk drawer and challenge your kids to create their own invention!

For more inspiring reading, check out these 11 Amazing Books About Shapes for Preschoolers.

My Little Golden Book: Martin Luther King Jr. by Bonnie Bader

Learn about the childhood of Martin Luther King Jr., and how he became a powerful voice for equality and civil rights. This kids book is a wonderful introduction to black history for young readers. To accompany this book, watch or listen to a short segment of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech with your children. Even little children can understand these inspiring words!

Can’t get enough of reading? Try these 12 Best Interactive Books for Kids to Read.

What are your favorite books and resources to talk about Black history with your kids?

Do you have any favorite traditions that help celebrate the amazing contributions of Black men and women throughout history?

Share your best tips and ideas in the comments below!