15 picture books filled with Black joy

“We need diverse books, but we also need diversity in our diverse books,” writes Taelor J. for the Richland, South Carolina Library. Taelor points out that so many Black children’s books are about painful topics such as enslavement, segregation, and police brutality. It’s crucial for kids to learn this history, but children need to be offered stories filled with Black joy and everyday experiences much more often than books about oppression.

In the Newberry-winning graphic novel New Kid, author Jerry Craft pokes fun at this reality when the main characters attend the school book fair. The school librarian tells Maury, who is Black, that she has the perfect book for him. Titled The Mean Streets of Uptown: A Gritty Tale of Survival, she tells Maury he’ll identify with the protagonist, who struggles against poverty and whose father is not around.

“Ummm…thanks Miss Brickner, but my Dad is the CEO of a Fortune 500 Company,” Maury tells her. Instead of learning from this interchange, Miss Brickner immediately looks for another Black student to push the book on.

Black joy books are a crucial part of affirming young Black children’s identities in a world that so often offers negative portrayals of people like them.

They are also important for non-Black children to read. As author Kelly J. Baptist has said, “Books that center Black joy are important for a very simple reason: they show Black reality.”

These children's books uplift Black joy and love, and show African-American children having everyday experiences. — Image description: Covers of Red Shoes, Me and Mama, I Am Perfectly Designed, and The King of Kindergarten. Text overlay reads: 15 picture books full of Black Joy.

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15 picture books filled with Black joy, Black love, and Black families having everyday experiences

Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Ebony Glenn

A young girl is transformed into many different personas every time she wears one of Mommy’s headscarves. She is a queen with a golden train, a shining sun, a mama bird who shields her baby brother, and a superhero who moves at the speed of light.

I Am Perfectly Designed by Karamo Brown, Jason “Rachel” Brown, and Anoosha Syed

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In this book by father and son, a little boy has thoroughly absorbed his father’s repeated words that he is perfectly designed. Even when he notes he “had such a big baby head,” Dad replies “but your big baby head was perfectly designed for you.”

There are so many pages in this book that will bring a smile to your face. The illustration of father and child dressed up as waffles and syrup is priceless. Dad’s promise that when his son moves away, he’ll still play with his toys because he misses him so much will warm your heart. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Black Queer authors.)

Red Shoes by Karen English and Ebony Glenn

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Malika adores the red shoes her Nana buys her, wearing them for all her special and ordinary moments. She’s careful to protect them with rainboots when she wants to splash in puddles. But like all children, Malika grows, and the shoes eventually pinch too much to wear.

After Nana takes them to a resale shop, the red shoes make an amazing journey. Inna Ziya squeezes them into her luggage as she heads back home to Africa. She knows just the girl who deserves a special gift after having fasted for Ramadan for the first time. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Black author.)

Image description: Cover of The King of Kindergarten. A young Black boy wearing a crown and denim overalls smiles as he shoulders his backpack.

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton

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This exuberant book is so full of Black joy and love that I found myself giggling through the pages. Today is the first day of kindergarten, and Mommy has promised her child that he will be its King. The sun shines on him like a crown, and he has a golden (tooth)brush to “clean Ye Royal Chiclets.” The hand-picked garments from the villages of Osh and Kosh enrobe him.

As he arrives at school and stares at his reflection, he can see the crown that his parents told him he wears. As a brave king, he has the courage to ask another child to play at recess, and the generosity to share a snack at lunch.

Every child who is wondering what kindergarten will be like needs this affirming book! (Recommended for ages 4 – 6. Black author.)

Just Like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan and Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

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Just because a children’s book is full of Black joy, that doesn’t mean it can’t also address a sad reality. In Just Like a Mama, Carol Olivia Clementine lives with Mama Rose, miles away from her Mommy and Daddy. She hopes that one day she can live with them, but for now, Mama Rose “is just like a Mama to me.”

She’s like a Mama when she shouts “I love you, Ladybug!” from the porch as Carol leaves for school. Her birthday gift of a yellow bike from Mama Rose is certainly a gift a Mama would give. But Mama Rose is also like a Mama when she requires Carol to eat her peas before the chocolate cake.

This simple but powerful story explores one of the many ways Black kinship networks are formed. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Black author.)

Family Reunion by Chad and Dad Richardson and Ashleigh Corrin

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Few things encapsulate Black joy as much as a family reunion! However, the child at the center of the story isn’t expecting the reunion to be fun (at least not as fun as video games.) He even has to imagine a force field around himself as all the relatives he doesn’t remember want to hug him.

Once Pop Pop finds him, things start to improve. Soon, the boy is soaking in all the fun (and food) that only a family reunion can provide. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7, Black authors.)

Me and Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera

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In this touching book, we see the moments of ordinary joy and love that make up a preschooler’s day with her Mama. She wakes early to make sure she gets her alone time with Mama while Papa and Luca sleep. Mama’s patience and tenderness are on display throughout the story, such as when the girl breaks Mama’s special cup.

I love how this story reminds us to slow down and truly experience each moment in the day. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Black author.)

Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons and Daniel Minter

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This book would deserve a place on your shelf for the stunning pictures alone, but the story is equally moving. Alan is full of excitement on the long ride to the family reunion, but he’s filled with something else too: worry. Worry that all the other cousins will have something special to share at the anniversary celebration, while Alan can’t think of a thing.

Once they’re there, Daddy has so many things to show them, especially about his own Pa, who has now passed away. He describes the pride that filled him when he realized that all the land they could see was theirs. (Side note: I love that in another passage, Lyons references “the footsteps of our people and Native people long before” on the farmland.) When the tour of the farm still leaves Alan without any ideas of what to present, Daddy’s shares Pa’s frequent words to him: “think with your heart.” (Recommended for ages 5 – 9. Black author.)

Image description: Cover of Rocket Says Look Up. Surrounded by stars, a young Black girl wearing glasses and an astronaut costume stares up at the sky in wonder.

Rocket Says Look Up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola

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I challenge you to read this book and not fall in love with Rocket, a girl who’s obsession with space matches her name. She’s constantly looking up at the sky, while her older brother Jamal is obsessed with looking down at his phone.

When Rocket learns that the Phoenix meteor shower will be happening, she shares meteor factoids with anyone who will listen (and even with those who won’t listen, like Jamal.) She even figures out a way to make a big invitation at the supermarket, urging shoppers to join her in a local park to see the shower. But when they arrive at the park, Rocket wonders, can she get Jamal to look up in time to see it? (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Black author.)

The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen by Thelma Lynne Godin and Vanessa Brantley-Newton

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Black joy and a beloved elder’s birthday party go hand-in-hand in this Hula-Hoop themed story. But it doesn’t start off joyfully for Kameeka. She’s got “the Hula-Hoopin’ itch” and today is the day she’s going to beat Jamara so she can become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of their block. When Mama reminds her that today is Miz Adeline’s birthday party, she knows there’s going to be a lot of preparations to make. That means no Hula-Hoop contest.

Kameeka’s distraction leads to a cake disaster, but when Mama sends her out for more sugar to make another one, an even bigger disaster is soon on the horizon. Has Kameeka ruined the party? (Recommended for ages 5 – 9.)

Image description: Cover of I Am Every Good Thing. A young Black boy wearing a white t-shirt and a backpack stands with his arms crossed across his chest.

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James

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“I am every good thing that makes the world go round,” a confident Black boy narrator tells us. This celebration of Black boys exudes joy on every single page; I got chills while reading it.

Barnes beautifully explores many different aspects of a young boy’s talents, passions, intelligence, and resilience, while James’ watercolor illustrations bring the boy’s vivid personality to life. (Recommended for ages 4 – 9. Black author.)

My Mommy Medicine by Edwidge Danticat and Shannon Wright

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When a child is sick, what she really needs is her Mommy Medicine. It’s no surprise that the medicine includes kisses and cuddles. Mommy’s medicine is also menthol back rubs, magical bubble baths, and silly dances.

You’ll want this sweet story close by for the next time your child has a sick day. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Haitian-American author.)

Image description: Cover of Where’s Rodney. A Black child wearing an orange shirt and a backpack stretches his arms up and smiles in front of a mountain.

Where’s Rodney? by Carmen Bogan and Floyd Cooper

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Young Rodney loves to move but doesn’t have enough places he can do that. His high energy is entertaining to his classmates and frustrating for his teacher. When she tells him they’ll be visiting a park, Rodney isn’t excited. He’s seen the small park in his neighborhood, and it’s a sad place that his mother wants him to stay away from.

But when their visit turns out to be to a majestic national park, Rodney discovers a place where he can truly be himself. His joy in exploring the park to its fullest is enormous! (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Black author.)

Image description: Cover of The Night is Yours. Framed by a full moon, a young Black girl wearing a pink and white dress stands with her fists on her hips and smiles.

The Night Is Yours by Abdul-Razak Zachariah and Keuturah A. Bobo

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This story is full of joy and wonder and is best read to a child at bedtime after a night of summer play.

A father lovingly narrates his daughter’s game of hide and seek. It’s slow pace recognizes and cheers all she is learning and becoming. From understanding the shapes that the moon takes to finding emotional strength when she’s frustrated, Amani embraces the night – and herself. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7, Black author and illustrator.)

These delightful multicultural children's books about generosity are sure to inspire kids and adults alike. Use these diverse books at home or in the classroom to start conversations about sharing and giving. #childrensbooks #weneeddiversebooks — Image description: Cover of Thank You, Omu. A Black child smiles while holding a huge bowl of soup with steam rising from the top.

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

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Omu (pronounced AH-moo) is the Igbo word for “queen.” In a diverse American city, Omu is making a thick red stew that’s so delicious, she’s sure it will be the best meal she’s ever had. The delicious fragrance wafts out of her apartment, attracting admirers who knock on her door one by one.

Omu has made such a large pot that she doesn’t mind sharing with a young neighbor, a police officer, and the hot dog vendor from downstairs. Eventually, even the mayor stops by! But when it’s finally time for dinner, Omu discovers that there’s no stew left in her pot. Fortunately, Omu’s generosity will inspire a second wave of giving. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Black author.)