African American children books can be a great way to teach children about history, culture, and history makers. For example, Michael Jordan’s mom and sister have written a book about his early years. Harriet Tubman was an Underground Railroad hero, a Union spy, and a poet, and she inspired a picture book written by Amanda Gorman. This book is a lyrical collection of poetry and prose that follows a cast of diverse characters on a musical journey.

Many African American children’s books feature the work of a literary legend like Maya Angelou or a famous artist like Jean-Michel Basquiat. The empowering text pairs with the child-like artwork to create a book that has a positive message for kids. Children will love the message that you can achieve anything if you believe in yourself.

One African American children’s book that should be on every family’s shelves is a book called “An African American Mother and Her Baby.” It’s a wonderful book that introduces children to the concept of anti-racism. In addition, the book includes Spanish words, making it an excellent choice for bilingual families.

If your child is not yet old enough to read, you should start with an alphabet board book. These books are ideal for toddlers, and will help them develop their sense of racial identity and a sense of diversity and justice.