All-Time Favorite African-American Children’s Books | AALBC

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These curated titles represent the all-time favorites of authors, booksellers, and avid readers across the AALBC community. Spanning decades of literature, this collection celebrates our rich legacy of quality stories featuring Black children. While some titles may be out of print, they remain essential touchstones of the Black experience in children’s publishing. Read more about this list →

Books 121 to 140 (of 149)

Cover: Jump Back, Honey: The Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar

Jump Back, Honey: The Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar

by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Picture Book →
Cover: Through My Eyes

Through My Eyes

by Ruby Bridges
Early Reader →
Cover: Kevin And His Dad

Kevin And His Dad

by Irene Smalls
Picture Book →
Cover: Come On, Rain!

Come On, Rain!

by Karen Hesse
Picture Book →
Cover: Soul Looks Back in Wonder

Soul Looks Back in Wonder

by Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Haki R. Madhubuti, Lucille Clifton and 8 others
Picture Book →
Cover: Nappy Hair

Nappy Hair

by Carolivia Herron
Picture Book →
Cover: Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad?

Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad?

by Sandy Lynne Holman
Picture Book →
Cover: The Meanest Thing to Say

The Meanest Thing to Say

by Bill Cosby
Picture Book →
Cover: Kids Book of Wisdom: Quotes from the African American Tradition

Kids Book of Wisdom: Quotes from the African American Tradition

by Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson
Early Reader →
Cover: Just an Overnight Guest

Just an Overnight Guest

by Eleanora E. Tate
Young Adult →
Cover: Cornrows

Cornrows

by Camille Yarbrough
Picture Book →
Cover: Mirandy and Brother Wind

Mirandy and Brother Wind

by Patricia C. Mckissack
Picture Book →
Cover: Tar Beach

Tar Beach

by Faith Ringgold
Picture Book →
Cover: Shortcut

Shortcut

by Donald Crews
Picture Book →
Cover: The Great Migration: An American Story

The Great Migration: An American Story

by Jacob Lawrence
Picture Book →
Cover: Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

by Mary Hoffman
Picture Book →
Cover: My First Trip to Africa

My First Trip to Africa

by Atlantis T. Browder
Picture Book →
Cover: Bright Eyes, Brown Skin

Bright Eyes, Brown Skin

by Cheryl Willis Hudson and Bernette Ford
Picture Book →

The Legacy of Black Children’s Literature

We know children and young readers will enjoy most, if not all, of these books, because they have already brought joy to countless children. We recommend printed books for young readers, or when reading to a child.

If you feel strongly about uplifting children through books, please read and share our guide, “Ten Steps to Promote Diversity in Children’s Literature.”

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