• Celebrity
    • 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
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • 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
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • 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
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • 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
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Parenting

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read

It's World Book Day! Today we celebrate the books that will broaden your child's imagination and open new worlds of discovery and self-love. Here are some must-reads to add to your kid's bookshelf.   
By Jolie A. Doggett · Updated October 27, 2020
01
‘Chocolate Me!’ by Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans

When a little boy is teased for looking different than other kids because of his dark skin, his mother tells him why he’s beautiful just the way he is. Actor Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans’ book will help both kids and parents love the skin they’re in. 

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
02
‘The Snowy Day’ by Ezra Jack Keats

Over 50 years ago, Ezra Jack Keats wrote this story about a young Black child’s imaginative day playing in the snow and we’ve been mesmerized ever since. It’s the perfect read for a bad weather day. 

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
03
‘Peter’s Chair’ by Ezra Jack Keats

Ezra Jack Keats also gave us the endearing story of Peter who has a hard time adjusting to sharing his toys and furniture with his new baby sister. Any kid with new siblings will relate to Peter’s struggle and his resolution.

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
04
Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron

Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron is written in the call and response tradition and could be fun to read together with your little one. The illustrations by Joe Cepeda are vibrant and stunning.

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
05
‘Ruby Bridges Goes to School: My True Story’ by Ruby Bridges

Simple text and historical photographs help little readers follow the extraordinary story of Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to integrate a New Orleans school. In the face of racism and segregation, Ruby’s triumphant spirit endures, teaching brown girls they can overcome any obstacle.

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
06
‘I Love My Hair’ by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley,’ Illustrations by E.B. Lewis

This delightful story teaches girls to love their hair and their heritage. The affirmative “I love my hair!” really teaches girls to say “I love myself!” A familiar ritual of combing the tangles from a head full of kinks and curls will give brown girls something to relate to in the story. This book, which starts with tears ends in triumph as the narrator imagines the many styles she can wear her kinky, curly hair. Definitely a great read for any girl who is struggling with loving every bit of her brown girl self.

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
07
‘The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales’ by Virginia Hamilton

“The People Could Fly” is brightly illustrated retelling of some of the best folk tales, cautionary tales and slave tales that will enchant and educate your little one. 

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
08
Penny and the Magic Puffballs by Alonda Williams

Penny and the Magic Puffballs by Alonda Williams is the book to buy for your little girl who wishes her hair was like anyone’s but hers—Penny discovers the magic in her hair and that could inspire your little girl to love her own magic puffballs!

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
09
‘Amazing Grace’ by Mary Hoffman

“Amazing Grace” is an old school favorite about a young girl who loves stories, movies and plays who fights for the chance to play the lead in Peter Pan. Grace’s fierce determination and love of words will be contagious. 

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
10
Happy to Be Nappy (Jump at the Sun)

Happy to Be Nappy (Jump at the Sun) by bell hooks is a favorite for a reason. The lessons imparted by the famed feminist scholar are bright and beautiful, and the illustrations by Chris Rashcka just jump off the page.

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
11
‘Something Beautiful’ by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

A young girl searches for beautiful things in her inner-city neighborhood and finds that they are actually all around her. Her neighbors show her that there is a lot of beauty in the little things—from a fried fish sandwich to a smooth stone. This story is perfect for teaching our daughters perspective: it’s our outlook that determines our outcome.

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
12
‘Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters’ by Barack Obama

President Obama’s tender letter to his daughters will make your pre-teen girl  feel loved and empowered.

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
13
‘Twintuition: Double Vision’ by Tia and Tamera Mowry

The debut book from our favorite twins. Tia and Tamera Mowry team up to tell the story of Cassie and Caitlyn who use their magical abilities to change the future before it can happen.

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
14
‘Neon Aliens Ate My Homework And Other Poems’ by Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon combines comedy with storytelling in this book of silly poems and illustrations that just might teach your kid something about the meaning of life. Maybe…

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
15
‘Pass It On: African American Poetry for Children’ by Wade Hudson

This book features poems by Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes that will give your child pride in their history and culture.

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
16
‘Monster’ by Walter Dean Myers

The young adult in your life will be enthralled by the story of Steve, a teen boy in juvenile detention and awaiting a trial that may change the lives of everyone around him, including the reader. 

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
Amazon.com
17
‘Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen,’ Illustrations by Kadir Nelson

Loosely based off the life of choreographer Debbie Allen, a young girl overcomes big feet and long legs to achieve her dream of becoming a dancer. Sassy, the main character, gets teased by her dance mates and even her brother because she’s the odd girl out. Budding ballerinas will be inspired by her ability to persevere despite the ridicule and her own self-doubt. 

17 Books Every Black Child Should Read
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