• Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Entertainment

Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children

Crafting modern stories that present Black people as beautiful, talented and intelligent, these authors have broken the bedtime story mold. 
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
By Keyaira Boone · Updated October 23, 2020

Black creatives set trends and shift culture everywhere they go, and the bookshelf is no exception.

Black authors have set their sights on affirming and educating Black children by creating modern stories that present Black people as beautiful, talented and intelligent.

We’ve rounded up 13 soon-to-be classics that cover everything from the importance of family reunions to the power of learning about STEM.

01
A Song For Gwendolyn Brooks by Alice Faye Duncan
This moving introduction to the work of the legendary poet, Gwendolyn Brooks, manages to be impactful without crossing into mature territory. It features rich ruby and peach toned-drawings that accentuate why Brooks’ words, made her the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $10 Shop Now
02
A Computer Called Katherine by Suzanne Slade
Introduce your little one to one of America’s most important hidden figures with this recounting of how Katherine Johnson’s arithmetic skills sent a man to the moon. Use some of their allotted screen time to watch clips from the award-winning film, Hidden Figures, afterwards.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $13 Shop Now
03
Hair Love
Adapted into an Oscar-winning short film, this story follows little Zuri as her daddy learns to do her hair. It’s a beautiful portrayal of Black fatherhood every child can benefit from seeing.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $16 Shop Now
04
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o and Vashti Harrison
Illustrated by one of the top names in the genre Nyong’o’s first effort fights colorism by emphasizing the importance of self-love. Initially feeling that her dark skin makes her less beautiful than her lighter family members, heroine Sulwe discovers that her melanin is a blessing.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $16 Shop Now
05
I Am Unique by Jennifer Vassel
Vassel’s thoughtful work highlights the importance in embracing the things that make you different and not allowing perceived “flaws” to hold you back. Use I Am Unique to explain the beauty in your baby’s hyperpigmentation or get your toddler to understand why they have a different birthmark than their best friend.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $18 Shop Now
06
Woke Baby Book by Mahogany L. Browne
Work to make sure your child grows up to have an open mind and a strong sense of self with this inclusive guide to miniature activism. Your child will recognize their own power in the wide eyes, shrill tones, and raised fists thanks to Woke Baby.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $18 Shop Now
07
Bippity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Fill your son with excitement instead of fear before his first big boy haircut with this fun exploration of the mythical space that is the Black barbershop. From the chess playing Grandpa to the friendly apprentice, he is sure to find someone to love in these pages.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $7 Shop Now
08
Brown Boy Joy by Dr. Thomishia Booker
This latest installment in the beloved Hey Carter! series explores all the little things that bring delight to beautiful brown boys. Reinforce your child’s right to joy by walking through them together.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $15 Shop Now
09
Going Down Home With Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons
Centering on a family reunion, this book is a tribute to the culture and tradition that emerged from the great migration. Follow little Alan and his dad as they head south to see their family on his great-grandmother’s land.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon Shop Now $13
10
Jada Jones Sleepover Scientist #3 by Kelly Starling Lyons
The third book in the Jada Jones series leaves the traditional toe nail-painting and prank calling behind as the heroine plans her very first sleepover. Jones looks forward to combining science and friendship by making slime and other kitchen chemistry concoctions for her guests, but when they get tired of learning, she has to figure a way to make sure everyone has fun.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $7 Shop Now
11
The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford
Babies born in the 200s could be susceptible to revisionist history, but your kids will learn the truth behind hip-hop’s origins with this breakdown of its birth. Connect the dots from the story to some of your child’s current favorite artists to make the lesson stick.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $14 Shop Now
12
The Day You Begin by Jacquline Woodson
Help your children get a jump start on tackling imposter syndrome with this thoughtful read. Centering on what happens when you find the courage to overcome fear, The Day You Begin offers valuable lessons in moving forward.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $15 Shop Now
13
Amarita’s Way by Amara La Negra and Heddrick McBride
The Love & Hip-Hop: Miami star offers the intersectional perspective she needed as a child in this colorful story of a young girl who refuses to give up. It’s available in English and Spanish.
Black Stories Matter: 13 Books By Black Authors For Black Children
Amazon
available at Amazon $13 Shop Now
TOPICS:  black books black boy joy black children and STEM Books Kelly Starling Lyons STEM
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now