Black History Month has never been a part of my children’s school curriculum like it was when I was a student. I can’t imagine not knowing the work of Langston Hughes, the brave stories of Ruby Bridges and Rosa Parks, or the life-changing courage that came from brave women like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth — all of which I started learning about as a very young student.
Throughout my years as a mom, I’ve had to come up with fun ways to make the historical stories of extraordinary black men and women come alive in our home. And what better way to do that than with books? Here are some of our family’s favorites – plus a free printable activity kit that I used with my kids last year.
Black History Month Books For Children Of All Ages
Little Leaders: Bold Women In Black History by Vashti Harrison
My girls and I love this beautiful book. It includes a short bio for each extraordinary woman who made black history. Vashti Harrison’s illustrations are so lovely, which makes it even more fun to read. Some women will be very familiar, while others you may have never heard of!
Dream Big Little One by Vashti Harrison
This is board book is especially popular with my toddlers. It is essentially a smaller version of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History book and has just a sentence and picture of each woman, making it easier for my toddlers to remember something about each one.
The ABCs Of Black History by Rio Cortez
This is a fun, rhyming book with beautiful, colorful pages to keep kids interested while still learning about significant ideas, moments and people in black history!
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
This story of four incredibly brilliant black women who helped NASA launch into space is always so inspirational to read for both my girls and my son. I like to pair this book with a space rocket craft!
Who Was Jackie Robinson? by Gail Herman
The “Who Was” series is always a family fav! The story of Jackie Robinson is one of my personal favorites, and his redemptive story is one I love reading to my children.
Little Legends: Exceptional Men In Black History by Vashti Harrison
Does this look familiar?! Vashti Harrison made my dreams come true with this book! I was equally excited to get it for both my son and daughters. Inside this book you’ll find illustrations and a little bio about unforgettable black men who have made a difference in history. It includes familiar faces like Barack Obama to maybe not-so-familiar, but equally as important, faces like John Lewis.
Follow Your Dreams, Little One by Vashti Harrison
This beautiful board book features the same men as Little Legends: Exceptional Men In Black History and is great for young kids. It has less info but equally beautiful illustrations.
The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
The inaugural poem that sparked hope in 2021, written and spoken by Amanda Gorman, is also available in print! I knew I had to have this in my home for my oldest daughter (and myself) to read! Being the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history and an award-winning writer, she is an inspiration to all young girls and boys alike.
Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales Of Black Girl Magic
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is another family favorite book series. Another book full of everyday black women who have made their mark on black history. Black Girl Magic became a popular movement online for other black women to acknowledge and praise each other for their accomplishments. I know the women in this book would have loved to hear this phrase while they were around.
Plus, A Free Printable Activity Kit!
The Magic Playbook’s Black History Month Activity Kit
The Magic Playbook is a small mother-owned company that offers a printable subscription and a ton of pretend play ideas; her work is beautiful. Last year she posted this freebie for Black History Month, and it was such a big hit in our home. A lot of the men and women in the kit are in Vashti Harrison’s four books, so it was the perfect match up! In this picture, you can see it on our chalkboard wall with a printout of a quote from Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem.
As a teacher and a mom, I am so disappointed to hear that your children are not celebrating Black History Month in school.. I really hope that their teachers weave black history into their instruction throughout the year.