Our top children’s books with black characters

It’s here! Our favourite children’s books with black characters. I don’t know why I didn’t think to share this sooner! We’re massive readers in our household and have loads of books to share with you.

We want to create children free from prejudice, with a good world view. Our aims with providing children with books that reflect their own identity as well as people that look different to them is to allow them to see themselves reflected in roles that they may never have thought possible. A diverse range of books allows our children to dream big! I’ve compiled a list of books featuring black storybook characters. As much as I love visiting indpendent book stores, these all link to online sites. Being able to find black books online used to be very difficult and I was impressed at the amount we can now source from the comfort of our own homes.

As a mother of two black girls, it’s important that they can see examples of themselves in some of the books they read. Not everything has to have black characters, don’t get me wrong, we read Where’s Spot, or Elmer the Elephant too. But it has always been important to me to see racial representation in children’s books. In the same way, I want them to see strong female leads in books too.

I’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite children’s books with black characters and I’m so happy I can share them with you. If you have any personal favourites, that aren’t included for younger children (I’ll create a separate blog post featuring black children’s books for older children) then please comment below and tell me about them! We love adding books to our home library!

Top children’s books with black characters

Through My Window
by Tony Bradman, Eileen Browne (Paperback)

I can’t believe Through My Window was around when I was a child! I only came across it when I had my own children. It was Princess’ favourite book for a long time. I love the illustrator’s style, the fact it showed a working mum and a dad who chose to stay at home (for the day, or always, who knows). It’s even more poignant knowing that this was shared 30 years ago!

Wait and See
by Tony Bradman (Paperback)

Wait and See is a book that we read at bed times for MONTHS! I gave it to a younger cousin some years back but we’ve ordered another one for youngest daughter as it was such a lovely story.

Kechi’s Hair Goes Every Which Way
by Tola Okogwu, Naomi Wright (Paperback)

Daddy Do My Hair?: Beth’s Twists
by Tola Okogwu, Rahima Begum (Paperback)

Once Upon a Time
by Niki Daly (Paperback)

Why the sky is far away : A Nigerian Folktale
by Mary-Joan Gerson, Carla Gloembe (Paperback)

I don’t think I had any Nigerian folk tale books when I was growing up. Terrible, I know! But I’m trying to do better by my kids. This book is a beautiful story around consequences and greed. It fits in rather nicely with teaching your children about larger issues such as climate change too!

Amazing Grace
by Mary Hoffman (Paperback)

Princess Grace
by Mary Hoffman (Paperback)

Kofi Wanted to be a Bad Bwoy
by Mushirah Wilson, Ava Henry (Paperback)

The Tangle Fairy
by Seema Barker (Paperback)

Fruits
by Valerie Bloom, David Axtell (Paperback)

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
by Vashti Harrison (Paperback)

Catch That Goat!
by Polly Alakija

Anna Hibiscus Series 8 Books Collection Set

by Atinuke

Too Small Tola
by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu (Paperback)

Hooray for Anna Hibiscus
by Atinuke, Lauren Tobia (Paperback)

Anna Hibiscus
by Atinuke, Lauren Tobia (Paperback)

Full, Full, Full of Love
by Trish Cooke, Paul Howard (Paperback)

Ada Twist, Scientist:
by Andrea Beaty, David Roberts (Hardcover)

I like to think that I’m very much like Ada’s mum. Stylish and supportive! A great book to introduce young children to STEAM subjects. It’s also a great reminder to parents to nurture our children’s natural inquisitiveness. I wrote about Ada Twist, Scientist when we first bought it.

I Love My Hair!
by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, E.B. Lewis (Board book)

Daddy Do My Hair?: Hope’s Braids
by Tola Okogwu, Rahima Begum (Paperback)

Hair Love: Based on the Oscar-Winning Short Film
by Matthew Cherry, Vashti Harrison (Paperback)

Silver Shoes
by Caroline Binch (Paperback)

Another book that was in heavy rotation in our house. The illustrations are just beautiful, even down to the twirling girl in the inside covers. This book features a lovely dual heritage little girl and it’s so sweet.

Handa’s Hen
by Eileen Browne (Paperback)

Handa’s Surprise
by Eileen Browne (Paperback)

Handa is awesome and her series of books deserve to be in every child’s book shelf. The story to Handa’s surprise always mamy kids giggle, as does Handa’s Hen.

Please, Baby, Please
by Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee (Paperback)

This post contains affiliate links. I really do own and really do love all of the books I’ve mentioned in the post, so don’t freak out!