(Source: Blackdoctor.org)
Photo credit: Young, Black & Lit
Representation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity, especially in the stories we share with our children. Being able to provide a child with a book featuring characters who look like them is a transformative experience.
For Krenice Ramsey, co-founder of Young, Black & Lit, this mission is deeply personal. Her journey began in 2018 during a simple trip to a major bookstore. She was searching for a book for her niece that featured Black girls, but the search quickly turned into a frustrating ordeal.
“After more than 30 minutes scouring shelves full of books featuring animals and children who looked nothing like my niece, I left empty-handed,” she recalls. “I was saddened by the thought that it wouldn’t be easy for her to see herself in the stories she read.”
Determined to bridge this gap, Krenice began making personal book donations to local youth organizations. What started as a small, grassroots effort soon caught the eye of her husband, Derrick.
“As I continued my small but mighty effort, my husband Derrick believed that this could grow into something bigger and make a real impact on children and our community. With our determination and vision combined, Young, Black & Lit was born,” she adds.
A Century of Black History
This year marks a historic milestone: the 100th anniversary of the first Black History Week, established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. As we celebrate under the theme “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” there is no better time for families to explore the rich legacy and achievements of Black Americans.
To commemorate this centennial, Young, Black & Lit is sharing 11 must-read books for children of all ages. These selections not only teach history but also support Black woman-owned and independent bookstores in Chicago and beyond.
Ages 0–4: Planting the Seeds of Greatness
The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez
This is far more than a standard alphabet book; it is a rhythmic, poetic journey through a vast heritage. Letter by letter, it introduces children to different continents and centuries, capturing moments of both heartbreaking struggle and triumphant joy. With vibrant illustrations and engaging rhymes, it’s designed to be read aloud, featuring iconic figures like Zora Neale Hurston and Malcolm X. It provides a culturally rich alternative to traditional ABC books that centers the Black experience.
Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
Featuring eighteen trailblazing Black women from American history, this board book is an essential for any nursery. It highlights a diverse range of heroes—from world-famous role models to everyday women who performed extraordinary acts of courage. By showcasing women whose beliefs and actions paved the way for future generations, this book encourages even the youngest readers to see themselves as the trailblazers of tomorrow.
A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
This board book is a manifesto for the next generation of progressives. It is written for families who want to raise children in a space that is unapologetic about social justice, environmental advocacy, and civil rights. Through clever alliteration and bold imagery, it introduces complex concepts like LGBTQ rights and community organizing in a way that is accessible and empowering for toddlers and their parents alike.
Ages 5–8: Courage and Creativity
Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome
While the world knows her as Harriet Tubman, she wore many hats and answered to many names throughout her long, courageous life. This beautifully narrated biography travels backward through time, revealing Harriet as a Union spy, a liberator on the Underground Railroad, a dedicated nurse, and a suffragist. It offers a lyrical look at the various roles she played, helping children understand the depth of her resilience beyond just a few historical facts.
Charlotte and the Nutcracker: The True Story of a Girl Who Made Ballet History By Charlotte Nebres
In 2019, Charlotte Nebres made history as the first Black girl to play the lead role of Marie in the New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker. This book weaves the magic of the classic holiday tale with Charlotte’s real-life journey through the world of dance. It’s a story of family, preparation, and the breathtaking moment when a young girl sees her heritage reflected on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.
Magic Trash: A Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art by J.H. Shapiro
This uplifting biography tells the story of Tyree Guyton, an artist who refused to let his Detroit neighborhood be defined by decay. Using “magic trash”—discarded tires, old shoes, and colorful paint—Guyton transformed his community into a world-renowned outdoor art gallery. It’s a powerful lesson in how creativity and one person’s vision can spark a movement and bring hope to an entire city.
Ages 9–12: Truth and Resilience
What Was the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921? by Caleb Gayle
Before May 31, 1921, the Greenwood District of Tulsa was a beacon of Black success known as “Black Wall Street.” It was a self-sustaining neighborhood where families ran thriving businesses, from movie theaters to jewelry stores. In one weekend, a racist mob destroyed everything, killing scores of residents and burning the community to the ground. This nonfiction book provides a necessary, sensitive account of one of the most significant moments of racial violence in America, ensuring the legacy of Greenwood is never forgotten.
William Still and His Freedom Stories: The Father of the Underground Railroad by Don Tate
William Still was a man of immense courage who dedicated his life to more than just helping people escape slavery—he made sure their stories were recorded. By documenting the names and experiences of those fleeing to freedom, he helped reunite families and preserved a history that might have otherwise been lost. Don Tate’s powerful words and artwork bring this “Father of the Underground Railroad” to life, inspiring young readers to value the power of their own stories.
We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson
In a world that can often feel bleak or divided, fifty of the most celebrated diverse authors and illustrators—including Jason Reynolds and Kwame Alexander—come together to offer guidance. Through 96 pages of lavish art and prose, they answer a vital question: What shall we tell our children? This collection serves as a toolkit for young activists, providing comfort, inspiration, and a reminder that their voices have the power to change the world.
Pre-Teens: Joy and Innovation
Joyful, Joyful: Stories Celebrating Black Voices by Dapo Adeola
This vibrant anthology shifts the focus toward the boundless joy and imagination of the Black experience. Featuring a global cast of creators from the UK, US, Nigeria, and beyond, the book includes tales of mythical whales, futuristic messages, and even the simple delight of jollof rice. It is a celebration of creativity and hope, showing pre-teens that Black stories are not only about struggle, but about magic, discovery, and laughter.
American Wings: Chicago’s Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky by Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein
This book uncovers the thrilling “hidden history” of a group of Black Americans who refused to be grounded by segregation. From auto mechanics to nurses and teachers, these determined individuals built their own flying club and airfield south of Chicago. As World War II approached, they proved that successful integration was possible by training Black and white students together. Packed with rare historical photographs, it’s a story of grit, resilience, and the battle for an equal share of the sky.
Our history is a rich, complex, and beautiful tapestry, and there is no better time than now to invite our children to take their place within it. The impact of these stories goes far beyond literacy; it is about the fundamental way a child perceives their place in the world.
Education scholars often describe books as both mirrors and windows. When a book acts as a mirror, it allows a child to see their own life, their family’s strength, and their community’s beauty reflected back at them. In that reflection, a child finds affirmation: I am important. My story belongs here. When those same books serve as windows, they offer a view into the lives of others, showing children the vibrant similarities and differences that connect us all. Through these windows, children build empathy and a sense of global belonging.
Research consistently shows that having books in the home significantly boosts academic achievement—but that spark of learning truly catches fire when a child sees themselves in the characters they read about. When we provide these stories, we are doing more than teaching history; we are building confidence. We are ensuring that no child ever has to walk out of a bookstore feeling “empty-handed or saddened,” but instead leaves feeling powerful, seen, and inspired to write their own chapter in the great story of Black history.
Support the Mission
By choosing these titles, you aren’t just investing in your child’s library—you’re supporting the vital work of organizations like Young, Black & Lit and the independent, Black-owned bookstores that keep our stories alive.
