📚 Family-Friendly Children’s Books by Black & African Authors 👏🏿

🧡 Picture Books (Ages 3–8)

1. "Sulwe" by Lupita Nyong’o
   A stunning story about self-love and colorism, with rich illustrations and a beautiful message.

2. "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut" by Derrick Barnes
   Celebrates the joy and pride of a fresh haircut in the Black barbershop experience.

3. "Hair Love" by Matthew A. Cherry
   A sweet father-daughter story that embraces natural hair and Black family love.

4. "I Am Every Good Thing" by Derrick Barnes
   Uplifting, rhythmic affirmations of Black boy joy, strength, and brilliance.

5. "Thank You, Omu!" by Oge Mora
   A heartwarming story of community, generosity, and shared meals.

6. "Africa, Amazing Africa" by Atinuke
   A nonfiction-style picture book full of vibrant facts and images about life across African countries.

7. "Big Hair, Don’t Care" by Crystal Swain-Bates
   A bold and fun book celebrating natural hair and self-confidence.

💫 Early Chapter Books (Ages 6–10)

1. "Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest" series by Marti Dumas
   A hilarious, smart, science-loving boy takes on the world one quirky challenge at a time.

2. "Zoe and Star" (Diverse Fairytale series) by Asia Wilson
   A magical early reader that blends fantasy with cultural richness.

3. "Anna Hibiscus" series by Atinuke
   Follows a young girl in West Africa navigating everyday life with joy and heart.

4. "The Magnificent Mya Tibbs" by Crystal Allen
   A fun-loving girl from Texas with big dreams and a big personality.

🌍 Middle Grade Books (Ages 8–12)

1. "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia
   Three sisters travel to Oakland, CA, during the 1960s to reconnect with their mother and discover the Black Panther movement.

2. "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
   An epic adventure blending African and African-American mythology.

3. "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander
   A powerful novel-in-verse about basketball, brotherhood, and growing up.

4. "Roots of Rap" by Carole Boston Weatherford
   A rhythmic, illustrated journey through the origins of hip-hop and its cultural impact.

5. "Serafina's Promise" by Ann E. Burg
   A moving verse novel about a young Haitian girl’s dream of becoming a doctor.

✨ Honorable Mentions from Homeschool Families

• “It Takes A Village to Raise a Reader” by Jasmyn Monette Grab yours HERE

• “The Brilliant Black Scientists and Inventors: Diy Steam Workbook for kids” by Johnni Dahl Grab yours HERE

• “Superman to Man” by J. A. Rogers

• “What We Blacks Need To Do Part 2” by James Jerome Hankins Grab yours HERE

  Tons of books at SherosComics that you can find HERE

• “18 Ingredients to Make a Daddy” by Trashina Connor Grab yours HERE

✨ Honorable Mentions for Family Read-Alouds

1. "Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters" by John Steptoe
   An African Cinderella-style tale with stunning artwork and themes of kindness and character.

2. "Beautiful Blackbird" by Ashley Bryan
   A joyful Zambian-inspired folktale celebrating the beauty of Blackness.

3. "Show Way" by Jacqueline Woodson
   A powerful, poetic tale of ancestry, quilts, and the strength of generations.

4. "The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales" by Virginia Hamilton
   A collection of beautifully told traditional folktales full of magic, wisdom, and history.