I have compiled a list of wonderful picture books with black protagonists for kids ages 5-8. (If you’d like the list geared toward ages 1-4, click here!) We have intentionally created a picture book library for our kids that is diverse and features children of every color. If you’re hoping to do the same, I would highly recommend each of these to add to your home library!
Looking for a comprehensive, printable Black History Month book list? Go here!
Looking for a list of posts about different topics in black history? Go here!
Something Beautiful (Sharon Dennis Wyeth)
A young girl who lives in the Projects tries to look beyond the dark parts of her neighborhood to find something beautiful.
Come on, Rain! (Karen Hesse)
A young girl hopes desperately for rain and is overjoyed when it finally comes.
Raising Dragons (Jerdine Nolen)
The adventures of a little girl who befriends a dragon that hatches on her Pa’s farm.
Pet Show! (Ezra Jack Keats)
A young boy can’t find the cat that he’s going to enter in his neighborhood pet show.
Violet’s Music (Angela Johnson)
Since she was a baby, young Violet has loved nothing more than to make music, and one day she finds a friend who love it just as much as she does.
I Love My Hair! (Natasha Anastasia Tarpley)
A young girl learns to take care of and love her unique African-American hair.
Aunt Flossie’s Hats (And Crab Cakes Later) (Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard)
Two young girls love when they get to visit their aunt because she has such a unique collection of hats which each tell a story.
Lily Brown’s Paintings (Angela Johnson)
A young girl who loves to paint watches her world come alive through her creative imagination.
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County (Janice N. Harrington)
A young girl who loves chasing chickens on her Grandmother’s farm tries especially hard to catch Miss Hen.
Amazing Grace (Mary Hoffman)
Grace wants to try out for the role of Peter Pan in her school play, and being a black girl isn’t going to stop her.
Last Stop on Market Street (Matt de la Peña)
A young boy rides the bus across town with his Grandma, who encourages him to see the beauty in everything.
A Chair For My Mother (Vera B. Williams)
After a fire destroys their home, Rosa and her family save to buy a comfortable chair.
Mirandy and Brother Wind (Patricia McKissack)
A young girl is determined to capture the wind to be her partner for the cakewalk jubilee.
Rosa Parks: Little People, Big Dreams (Lisbeth Kaiser)
An informative introduction to the life and work of Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks.
The Secret Olivia Told Me (N. Joy)
One friend tells her best friend a big secret, but then the secret gets out.
Sulwe (Lupita Nyong’o)
One young girl wonders why her skin is darker than everyone else in her family — but she soon learns that true beauty comes from within.
Hair For Mama (Kelly Tinkham)
I hope this list of picture books with black protagonists is helpful whether you’re studying Black History Month or just want some wonderful new books to add to your home library! Do you have any favorites that I didn’t mention? Please share them in the comments below!