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 81 to 100 (of 149)

Cover: Peeny Butter Fudge

Peeny Butter Fudge

by Toni Morrison and Slade Morrison
Picture Book →
Cover: The Negro Speaks Of Rivers

The Negro Speaks Of Rivers

by Langston Hughes
Picture Book →
Cover: Bird

Bird

by Zetta Elliott
Picture Book →
Cover: Jazz

Jazz

by Walter Dean Myers
Picture Book →
Cover: You Can Do It!

You Can Do It!

by Tony Dungy
Early Reader →
Cover: The Blacker The Berry

The Blacker The Berry

by Joyce Carol Thomas
Picture Book →
Cover: Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale

by John Steptoe
Picture Book →
Cover: Donavan’s Double Trouble

Donavan’s Double Trouble

by Monalisa DeGross
Middle Grade →
Cover: Thunder Rose

Thunder Rose

by Jerdine Nolen
Picture Book →
Cover: The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County

The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County

by Janice N. Harrington
Picture Book →
Cover: Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon

Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon

by Ruth Forman
Picture Book →
Cover: Bronzeville Boys And Girls

Bronzeville Boys And Girls

by Gwendolyn Brooks
Picture Book →
Cover: Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

by Carole Boston Weatherford
Picture Book →
Cover: Please, Baby, Please

Please, Baby, Please

by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
Picture Book →
Cover: Brothers In Hope

Brothers In Hope

by Mary Williams
Picture Book →
Cover: The Soul Brothers and Sister Lou

The Soul Brothers and Sister Lou

by Kristin Hunter
Middle Grade →
Cover: Me & Neesie

Me & Neesie

by Eloise Greenfield
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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