JACQUELINE T. SMALL
TOP 100 CHILDREN'S BOOKS
INFO 263 - MATERIALS FOR CHILDREN
4/16/2018
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NON-FICTION by Black Authors
Feelings, M. & Feelings, T. (1992). jambo means hello: Swahili Alphabet Book.
New York: Puffin Books.
For ages 3 – 5 years, grades: 3 years – Kindergarten. A Caldecott Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book. The author also wrote a counting book titled, Moja Means One: Swahili Counting Book (Picture Puffin Books).
Hinton, K. (2008). Martin Luther King, Jr. (A Robbie Reader) (What’s So Great About?).
Hockessin, DE: Mitchell Lane Publishers.
This chapter book is for ages 7 – 9 years old, grades: 2nd – 4th.
Hudson, C. W. (2002). Afrobets 1,2,3. New York, NY: Scholastic.
The author has also written another concept book about the letters of the alphabet. Two more books about shapes and colors complete the series, but are written by another author by the name of Margery Brown. For ages 4 – 8 years old, grades: preschool – 1st grade.
Kenfack, G. T. & Minlo, D. (2016). Africa ABC. Bothell, WA: Balafun, LLC.
This picture book is a traditional concept book teaching the letters of the alphabet focusing on the continent of Africa. Parents can read this picture book starting at birth, grades: preschool – 3rd.
Largie, A. D. & Pichardo, S. (2017). The Boy Who Would Grow Up To Be: President
Barack Obama. Place of publication not Idenfified: Kemet Game and Toy Co.
This is a biography of the life of Barack Obama and his ascendency to the presidency. For ages, 4 – 12 years old, grades: preschool – 7th grade.
Patrick, D. L. & Manwill, M. (2018). A Girl Named Rosa: The True Story of Rosa Parks
(American Girl: A Girl Named). New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
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A biography about the life of Rosa Parks and what she contributed to society and the civil rights movement. For ages 7 – 10 years old, grades: 2nd - 5th grades.
Pinkney, A. D. & Pinkney, B. (1998). Dear Benjamin Banneker (1st ed.)
New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Pubishing Company.
This picture book is a biography about a free man who was a scientist and who also predicted the weather and created an almanac during the slave era. For ages 6 – 9 years, grades: 1st – 4th.
Shetterly, M. L. & Freeman, L. (2018). Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four
Black Women and the Space Race. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
This picture book is about four African Women who were educated mathematicians hired to get NASA into “Space”. For ages 4 – 8 years, grades: preschool – 3rd
Weatherford, C. B. & Nelson, K. (2006). Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People
to Freedom (1st ed.). New York, NY: Hyperion Books CH.
This picture book is about the life of Harriet Tubman and how she freed herself and thousands of others out of a life of bondage. For ages 5 – 8 years old, grades:
1st – 3rd. A Caldecott Honor Book.
Malenga, M. (2017). Hey Lil Bri: :Learn Colors with Me! (1st ed.)
Unknown location: Mubita Malenga.
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For ages: 0 - 8 years old, grades: Preschool - 3rd.
This concept book explores colors using balloons.
Onyefulu, I. (1997). A is for Africa. London, England:
Puffin Books.
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For ages: 2 - 5 years old, grades: Preschool - Kindergarten.
This concept book describes the author's home country of
Nigeria and the continent of Africa by using each letter of the alphabet and using the medium of photographs.
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Kamkwamba, W., Mealer, B. & Hymas, A. (2012). The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind.
New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.
For ages: 6 - 8 years old, grades: 1st - 3rd.
This is an autobiographical account about the author recounting his experience as a teenager of harnessing the wind to power the water to irrigate local farms, charge cell phones, etc.
Harrison, V. (2017). Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History.
Boston, MA: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
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For ages: 8 years old and up, grades: 3rd and up.
This book is a compilation of short biographies about black women who made history and made a difference.
Harris, T. M. & Ivanova, N. (2015). Look What Brown Can Do! (1st ed.).
United States: Sweetberry Books.
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For ages: 8 years old and up, grades: 3rd and up.
This book is a compilation of biographies about various black people who made a difference in society.
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Harris, T. M. (2015). Chicken Waits for Hen.
United States: Sweetberry Books.
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For ages: 3 - 5 years old, grades: Preschool - Kindergarten.
This concept book teaches math skills to preschoolers and
kindergartners. It teaches young children how to tell time
using the traditional analog clock in five minute intervals.
E-Book form
Weatherford, C. B. & Christoph, J. (2015). Gordon Parks : How the Photographer
Captured Black and White America. Chicago, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.
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For ages: 4 - 8 years old, grades: K - 3rd.
This book is a biography about an African American man who becomes a talented photographer and director.
Shabazz, I. & Ford, A. G. (2014). Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to
Become Malcolm X. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
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For ages: 6 years old and up, grades: 1st and up.
This book is a biography about Malcolm Little who grew up to become
Malcolm X.
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Myers, W. D. & Christensen, B. (2015). Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told.
Place of publication not identified: Amistad.
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For ages: 4 - 8 years old, grades: Preschool - 3rd.
This book is a biography about Ida B Wells who was born into slavery, but became an inspirational leader/activist, a journalist and a teacher.
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McLaurin, P. & Wang, D. (2016). Have You Thanked An
Inventor Today? Lawrenceville, GA: Digital Arts, Inc.
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For ages: 5 years old and up, grades: Kindergarten and up.
This book is a reference tool for young people. Inventors are highlighted and activity sheets follow. This book conveys the information to young people and inspires the genius in them.
Russell-Brown, K. & Morrison, F. (2014). Little Melba and Her Big Trombone.
New York, NY: Lee & Low Books.
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For ages: 6 and up, grades: 2nd - 3rd.
This biography is about Melba Liston a musician and jazz artist.
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McKissack, P. C., McKissack, F. & McKissack, P. (1998).
Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues.
New York, NY: Scholastic Paperbacks.
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For ages: 8 years old and up, grades: 3rd and up.
This is the story of the Negro baseball leagues; it is a great
reference book for young people to learn about an exciting era
in baseball.
Bolden, T. (2014). Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America.
New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers.
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For ages: 8 years old and up, grades: 3rd and up.
This is a reference/biography about a black girl and her wealth.
Nelson, V. M. & Christie, R. G. (2009). Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of
Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshall (Exceptional Social Studies Titles for
Intermediate Grades) . Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.
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For ages: 8 years old and up, grades: 3rd and up.
This biography covers Bass Reeves's life of being born into slavery and later becoming the first black Deputy U. S. Marshall, and the most successful in American History. A fascinating read!
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Pinkney, A. D. & Pinkney, B. (2007). Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a
Vocal Virtuosa. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for children.
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For ages: 5 years old and up, grades: Kindergarten and up.
This is a biography about Ella Fitzgerald a jazz singer.
Copeland, M. (2016). Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina Young
Readers Edition. New York: Aladdin.
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For ages: 8 years old and up, grades: 3r and up.
This biography is about Misty Copeland who chose to become a
ballerina in a competitive industry.
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Jordan, D., Jordan, R. M. & Nelson, K. (2003). Salt in his Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit
of a Dream. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.
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For ages: 4 - 8 years old, grades: Preschool - 3rd.
This book is a biography of Michael Jordan written by his mother. He was a basketball
player who was very talented.
Shelton, P. Y. & Colon, R. (2013). Child of the Civil Rights Movement.
New York: Random House Children's.
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For ages: 4 - 8 years old, grades: Preschool - 3rd.
This book recounts the civil rights movement as seen through a
child's eyes, the author Paula Young Shelton. This is an
autobiographical account of her experiences.