Lindsay L. O'Connor

These are some beautiful picture books for Black History Month! Most of them are picture book biographies, and some are historical fiction. This selection celebrates Black leaders from various time periods and areas of interest, including politics, sports, science, the arts, and more. I’d like to especially recommend Kadir Nelson’s “Heart and Soul,” which I’ve posted about multiple times because it’s such a wonderfully unique picture chapter book about Black history.

For a link to all of these books on an Amazon list, click here.

Image 1
1. The Case for Loving by Selina Alko, illustrated by Sean Qualls
2. Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
3. A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Erica Velasquez
4. Seeds of Freedom by Hester Bass, illustrated by E. B. Lewis
5. The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
6. Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington
7. Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe
8. Ella Fitzgerald (Little People, Big Dreams, 11) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Barbara Alca
9. Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie by Robbin Gourley

Image 2
1. Freedom on the Menu by Carol Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue
2. All Different Now by Angela Johnson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis
3. The Book Itch by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
4. Wind Flyers by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Loren Long
5. Wilma Rudolph (Big People, Little Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Amelia Flower
6. A Computer Called Katherine by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison
7. Sugar Hill by Carol Boston Weatherford, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
8. Heart and Soul by Kadir Nelson
9. Lift as You Climb by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Image 3
1. Firebird by Misty Copeland, illustrated by Christopher Myers
2. Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Laura Freeman
3. What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? By Chris Barton, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
4. Josephine by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Christian Robinson
5. Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
6. Dream Builder by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Laura Freeman
7. Beautiful Shades of Brown by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Felicia Marshall
8. The Power of Her Pen by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by John Parra
9. Fancy Party Gowns by Deborah Blumenthal, illustrated by Laura Freeman

Image 4
1. Harlem’s Little Blackbird by Renée Watson, illustrated by Christian Robinson
2. Martin and Mahalia by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
3. The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes by Julia Finley Mosca and Daniel Rieley
4. Lillian’s Right to Vote by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Shane W. Evans
5. Brave Ballerina by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Ebony Glenn
6. Molly, By Golly! by Dianne Ochiltree, illustrated by Kathleen Kemly
7. Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
8. Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier
9. Ellen’s Broom by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter