Healthy Living
10 children's books to celebrate Black experiences
16 January 2023 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
Be it in a classroom or on your bookshelf at home, the following ten children’s books will enrich your reading experiences. Selected by the Child Care members of the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Black Experience Staff Advisory Committee, we hope that these titles help you celebrate Black joy all year round.
1. Shades of Black. A Celebration of our Children. Author: Sandra L. Pinkney, Photographs by: Myles C. Pinkney.
‘This bestselling picture book was on nearly every bookshelf during my time in the classroom. It uses photographs and simple but poetic language to celebrate Black joy and diversity.’
2. My Hair Author: Danielle Murrel Cox.
‘A board book for little girls and boys, showing different hairstyles that celebrate natural Black hair.’ Click here to read and hear more about this book
3. Lullaby (For a Black Mother) Poem by: Langston Hughes. Illustrator: Sean Qualls.
‘Taken from the poem by Langston Hughes and beautifully illustrated by Qualls, this book is all about the love between an African American mother and her baby. This book artistically illustrates all the types of loving tender maternal moments.’
4. Brown Boy Joy Author: Dr. Tomishia Booker. Illustrators: Jessica Gibson and Vicky Amrullah.
‘This is a picture book about all the things that Brown boys love. It’s perfect for toddlers and beginning readers with the awesome illustrations and a delightful rhyming scheme.’
5. I Am Enough Author: Grace Byers, Illustrator: Kethrah A. Bobo
‘I Am Enough is a lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another. It is the perfect picture book for home or in the classroom.’
6. The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family, Author: Ibtihaj Muhammad with S. K. Ali, Illustrator: Hatem Aly
‘This book is on the New York Times Bestseller list. It’s a powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad.’
7. I Believe I Can, Author: Grace Byers. Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
This book, which showcases children of all races, religions, and abilities with an emphasis on Black children of all skin tones, is an uplifting and empowering story about believing in yourself. Click here for a reading of this book
8. Skin Again Author: bell hooks, Illustrator: Chris Raschka
‘Race matters, but only so much--what's most important is who we are on the inside. Looking beyond skin, going straight to the heart, we find in each other the treasures stored down deep. Learning to cherish those treasures, to be all we imagine ourselves to be, makes us free.
This award-winning book, celebrates all that makes us unique and different and offers a strong, timely and timeless message of loving yourself and others.’
9. New Kid Written and Illustrated by Jerry Craft
A graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real.
10. Black Women Who Dared Author: Naomi M. Moyer
“Inspiring and indomitable Black women whose stories need to be told. Artist Naomi M. Moyer presents powerful biographical portraits of ten Black women and women’s collectives from Canadian and American history, ranging from 1793 to the present.”
Look for these book in your local library or at a Black-owned bookstore.
At the YMCA of Greater Toronto, we take pride in the diversity we are privileged to have in our communities. We believe it is never too early to teach our children about inclusion and belonging, so our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy includes shaping welcoming YMCA Child Care programs that celebrate diversity. This month, join us as we celebrate Black History and Black Futures.
1. Shades of Black. A Celebration of our Children. Author: Sandra L. Pinkney, Photographs by: Myles C. Pinkney.
‘This bestselling picture book was on nearly every bookshelf during my time in the classroom. It uses photographs and simple but poetic language to celebrate Black joy and diversity.’
2. My Hair Author: Danielle Murrel Cox.
‘A board book for little girls and boys, showing different hairstyles that celebrate natural Black hair.’ Click here to read and hear more about this book
3. Lullaby (For a Black Mother) Poem by: Langston Hughes. Illustrator: Sean Qualls.
‘Taken from the poem by Langston Hughes and beautifully illustrated by Qualls, this book is all about the love between an African American mother and her baby. This book artistically illustrates all the types of loving tender maternal moments.’
4. Brown Boy Joy Author: Dr. Tomishia Booker. Illustrators: Jessica Gibson and Vicky Amrullah.
‘This is a picture book about all the things that Brown boys love. It’s perfect for toddlers and beginning readers with the awesome illustrations and a delightful rhyming scheme.’
5. I Am Enough Author: Grace Byers, Illustrator: Kethrah A. Bobo
‘I Am Enough is a lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another. It is the perfect picture book for home or in the classroom.’
6. The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family, Author: Ibtihaj Muhammad with S. K. Ali, Illustrator: Hatem Aly
‘This book is on the New York Times Bestseller list. It’s a powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad.’
7. I Believe I Can, Author: Grace Byers. Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
This book, which showcases children of all races, religions, and abilities with an emphasis on Black children of all skin tones, is an uplifting and empowering story about believing in yourself. Click here for a reading of this book
8. Skin Again Author: bell hooks, Illustrator: Chris Raschka
‘Race matters, but only so much--what's most important is who we are on the inside. Looking beyond skin, going straight to the heart, we find in each other the treasures stored down deep. Learning to cherish those treasures, to be all we imagine ourselves to be, makes us free.
This award-winning book, celebrates all that makes us unique and different and offers a strong, timely and timeless message of loving yourself and others.’
9. New Kid Written and Illustrated by Jerry Craft
A graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real.
10. Black Women Who Dared Author: Naomi M. Moyer
“Inspiring and indomitable Black women whose stories need to be told. Artist Naomi M. Moyer presents powerful biographical portraits of ten Black women and women’s collectives from Canadian and American history, ranging from 1793 to the present.”
Look for these book in your local library or at a Black-owned bookstore.
At the YMCA of Greater Toronto, we take pride in the diversity we are privileged to have in our communities. We believe it is never too early to teach our children about inclusion and belonging, so our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy includes shaping welcoming YMCA Child Care programs that celebrate diversity. This month, join us as we celebrate Black History and Black Futures.
