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SJPL Picks: Celebrating the Black Experience

A list of positivity-focused picture story books celebrating black children and families - highlighting the many ways love shows up in a family and Black joy. Selected by SJPL Librarians.

San José Public Library

25 items

  • In this touching story about the everyday objects that remind us of the ones we love, little Chino takes the colorful, silky scarf her mama ties around her hair at night on many daytime adventures along with her toy bunny.
    BookNew York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. — J PICTURE BOOK GraceJam
  • A lively and rhythmic celebration of Black girls in all their beauty and joy reminds girls of every shade, size and walk of life that they are perfectly designed!
    BookNew York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2023] — J PICTURE BOOK Furukawa
  • Staying true to herself, a little girl speaks up at the barbershop and leaves with the freshest fade on the block, in this rhyming story that encourages young girls to be self-confident and celebrates the many shapes and forms Black hair…
    BookNew York : Penguin Workshop, 2022. — J PICTURE BOOK Grant
  • Based on the author's beautiful, viral spoken word poem of this same name, this powerful picture book shows readers that Black is everywhere, and in everything, and in everyone, and how they can find love, joy, resilience and beauty in…
    BookNew York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2023] — J PICTURE BOOK TheresaT
  • In rhyming text, when the whole family and guests show up for the big dinner at Grandma's house, it becomes clear that the house is much too small to hold them all.
    BookWatertown, MA : Charlesbridge, [2017] — J PICTURE BOOK Brownwoo
  • The niece of Senator Kamala Harris presents a picture book inspired by a childhood story about her aunt and policy expert mother that depicts two sisters who work with their community to turn an empty apartment courtyard into a playground.
    BookNew York, NY : Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2020] — J PICTURE BOOK Harris
  • Brown

    the Many Shades of Love

    James, Nancy Johnson,
    In this loving ode to the color brown, a boy describes the many hues of his family.
    BookPetaluma, California : Cameron Kids, an imprint of Cameron + Company, [2020] — J PICTURE BOOK James
  • For a little girl on a rainy day, the best place to be is with Mama.
    BookNew York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2020] — J PICTURE BOOK Cabrera
  • A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and Brown children everywhere reminds them how much they matter, that they have always mattered and they always will.
    BookNew York : Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc., 2020. — J PICTURE BOOK Charles
  • A black mother expresses the many hopes and dreams she has for her child in this powerful picture book masterpiece.
    BookNew York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, [2017] — J PICTURE BOOK Weatherf
  • Illustrations and easy-to-read text pay homage to the strength, character, and worth of a child.
    BookNew York : Nancy Paulsen Books, [2020] — J PICTURE BOOK Barnes
  • In this rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual, Kelly Starling Lyons' eloquent text explores the power of family traditions. Stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and…
    BookAtlanta : Peachtree Publishers, [2019] — J PICTURE BOOK Lyons
  • A black mother describes her dreams for her newborn daughter, and her hopes for a future in which her little one will grow to cross borders and bridge boundaries, be her best self, and find love.
    BookNew York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, [2021] — J PICTURE BOOK Weatherf
  • Join Macy as she describes her family and their hairstyles, from Afros to purple hair.
    BookUnited States : Cassava Republic, 2019. — J PICTURE BOOK Freeman
  • A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.
    BookNew York : Kokila, [2019] — J PICTURE BOOK Cherry
  • Seven-year-old Layla divulges many things that make her happy, especially her family and their community garden.
    BookBrooklyn, NY : Enchanted Lion Books, 2019. — J PICTURE BOOK Tallie
  • When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade.
    BookNew York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2019] — J PICTURE BOOK Nyongo
  • An illustrated, joyful celebration of African-American boys' hairstyles.
    BookNew York : Doubleday Books for Young Readers, [2020] — J PICTURE BOOK Roe
  • A child reflects on the meaning of being Black in this anthem about a people, a culture, a history, and a legacy that lives on.
    BookNew York, NY : Roaring Brook Press, 2020. — J PICTURE BOOK Joy
  • Read this gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another.
    BookNew York, NY : Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2018] — J PICTURE BOOK Byers