I hope this booklist is helpful, books are such a wonderful tool. They can be mirrors, reflecting your child and their world and helping them make sense of their lives and they can also be windows to the world. Both of those hold immense power. Remember most of these titles can be found at your local library, and librarians can usually order in if they’re not on the shelves. Some of the newer releases may be harder to find second-hand, but independent booksellers are often as affordable as the big chains and if you’d like to shop directly, you can click the links in the list below ⬇️
0–5 years
We’re Going to Find a Monster – A fun, imaginative adventure where siblings turn their home into a wild wonderland.
The Rapping Princess – A rhyming tale of Princess Shiloh who finds her unique voice.
The Missing Piece – Sunny’s determination shines when her puzzle is missing its final piece.
A Grand Place – A love letter to Grenada, exploring home, family and heritage.
Zazi Finds Plantain – A joyful market trip with Dad in search of a favourite food.
Fruits – A playful counting poem filled with Caribbean fruits.
Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls – Tola proves she’s small but mighty, solving family challenges with heart.
Daddy Do My Hair – A tender story of a dad styling his sons/daughter’s hair before picture day (it’s a series now!)
Luna Loves Library Day – A girl finds magic and healing during library trips with her dad.
Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush – A grandmother shares her migration story with her granddaughter.
Nature Trail – A poetic celebration of the wonders of the natural world.
So Much – A warm family gathering centred on the joy of a baby.
Sulwe – A story of self-love and colourism, teaching children to embrace their skin.
Your Name Is a Song – A lyrical celebration of names, culture and identity.
Hey You! – An illustrated letter of affirmation to Black children everywhere.
4–8 years
Look Up! – Rocket dreams of space, inspired by real-life astronaut Mae Jemison.
Change Sings – Amanda Gorman’s lyrical ode to young voices sparking change.
Clean Up! – Rocket leads a mission to tackle pollution on a Caribbean island.
My Beautiful Voice – A shy child discovers their power through poetry.
The History of We – A poetic journey back to humanity’s shared roots.
In Our Hands – Children restore hope and colour to a divided world.
The Marvelous Granny Jinks and Me – A girl helps her granny pursue her dream of becoming a magician.
Marv and the Mega Robot – Marvin discovers he’s the next in a line of superheroes.
The Boy with Wings – A boy sprouts wings and must save Earth from destruction.
Little Leaders – Inspiring biographies of Black women (or there’s a version for men) who changed the world.
7–12 years
Race to the Frozen North – The overlooked true story of Black explorer Matthew Henson.
When Life Gives You Mangoes – A Caribbean mystery about memory, friendship and healing.
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun – A girl’s Afro hair holds psychokinetic power in this action-packed fantasy.
The Good Turn – A group of friends form a scout troop and uncover a mystery.
High-Rise Mystery – Sibling detectives solve a murder in their London tower block. And then: Mic Drop – Nik and Norva return to investigate another gripping crime.
The Breakfast Club Adventures – Marcus and friends solve mysteries together at school.
You Can Do It – Marcus Rashford empowers children to use their voices for change.
Coming to England – Floella Benjamin’s moving memoir of the Windrush generation.
The Infinite – Leaplings with the gift of time travel face a mysterious disappearance.
African and Caribbean Folktales – A lively collection of myths and legends.
Mia and the Lightcasters – A girl must journey through danger to save her captured parents.
Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow – A boy searches for belonging at Pride.
The Lightning Catcher – A boy uncovers strange weather patterns and secrets in his new town.
This Is Not a Small Voice – A vibrant anthology of poetry by Black poets.
Look Both Ways – Ten interwoven tales of children’s walks home from school.
Legacies – Discover the inspiring stories of iconic figures from Black British History in this informative, boldly illustrated collection of Black icons.
13+ years
The Upper World – A teen with visions of the future must rewrite fate.
Witches Steeped in Gold – Two rival witches form a deadly alliance for vengeance.
Rapunzella, or Don’t Touch My Hair – A magical reimagining centring on Black hair and power.
The Hate U Give – A teen witnesses police violence and finds her activist voice.
The Black Flamingo – A verse novel of a Black gay teen discovering drag and self-expression.
Only on the Weekends – A moving exploration of love, distance and identity.
Noughts & Crosses – A reversed-race dystopia exploring love and systemic oppression.
Orangeboy – A gripping thriller about choices and survival.
Being Amani – A teen confronts past trauma while starting over.
Cuts Both Ways – A girl is caught between two brothers and two worlds.
The King is Dead – A Black teen king faces scandal, loss and betrayal.
When Our Worlds Collided – Three teens confront racism after a stabbing in Manchester.
The Dark Lady – Akala’s historical fantasy of a young thief with magic in Elizabethan London.
Becoming Dinah – A coming-of-age journey of self-reinvention.
Oh My Gods – A teen navigates high school while living with Greek gods in London.
Children of Blood and Bone – West African–inspired fantasy of a girl restoring lost magic. I loved reading this one in my 20s 😅
The Crossover – A verse novel about twin basketball players navigating adolescence.
The age categories are pretty rough and will vary depending on the child, their reading age, their cognitive age and what you feel they will enjoy. Happy Reading and Happy Black History Month!
