With Black History Month well underway, the contributions of Black figures who have become trailblazers in their respective fields are being celebrated all month long.
In honor of their work and stories, here are five illustrated books about Black pioneers to help teach your children about Black history.
- Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker: Written by Patricia Hruby Powell and illustrated by Christian Robinson, this 2013 picture book received rave reviews upon its release, earning the Coretta Scott King Book Award and the Parent’s Choice Award. Totaling up to 104 pages, this illustrated book focuses on detailing the story of Josephine Baker, a performer and civil rights activist.
Throughout her career as a singer, dancer and actress, Baker broke barriers in the entertainment world; in 1927, she became the first Black woman to star in a big-screen film and became one of the first successful entertainers to make it on both the big screen and the stage. As a civil rights activist, Baker helped introduce many to the civil rights movement and spoke at the 1963 March on Washington as the only official female speaker.
- Little Leaders: Bold Black Women in History: Released in 2017, this debut book by author Vashti Harrison topped the New York Times Bestseller list and received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in the children’s literature category. “Little Leaders: Bold Black Women in History” highlights the achievements of 40 Black women throughout the decades, discussing trailblazers in different categories such as science, journalism and film. With each introduction, each figure gets a section dedicated to detailing their careers. Amongst the women included in this book are Oprah, Ruby Bridges and Florence Joyner.
- The Undefeated: Written by Kwame Alexander and illustrated by artist Kadir Nelson, this book was the winner of the Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor upon its release in 2019. Spanning the length of 40 pages, this graphic novel also serves as a long-form poem that highlights the stories of Black Americans. While the picture book also focuses on individual figures that have revolutionized their respective fields, the plot of the book as a whole is to draw attention to the strength and impact of the Black American community throughout history.
- What Color is My World? The Lost History of African American Inventors: Written by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in collaboration with author Raymond Obstfeld, this picture book focuses specifically on inventors. Although short in length as it spans about 20 pages, “What Color is My World? The Lost History of African American Inventors” provides insight into the accomplishments of Black inventors whose achievements aren’t often emphasized. Through the story of two children who want to learn more about Black inventors, creators such as James West, Fred Jones and Dr. Percy Julian are celebrated for their contributions in their fields and their impact on the everyday lives of people around the globe.
- The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music: Just published on Jan. 10 of this year, “The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music” chronicles the life story of Grammy-award singer Roberta Flack. Written by the legendary singer alongside author Tonya Bolden and illustrated by artist Hayden Goodman, the story follows Flack’s musical career from its beginnings in North Carolina. The story all begins with an old piano her father found in a junkyard, restoring it and painting it a bright green for his daughter. With that, Roberta Flack found her passion in music.
