Books for Black History Month

By Coll Rowe | December 16 2025 | Social Studies & History

In honor of Black History Month this February, we are highlighting essential fiction and nonfiction for students, teachers, and parents to share and discuss this month and beyond. Join Penguin Random House Education in celebrating the contributions of Black authors and illustrators by exploring the titles here:

BLACK HISTORY – ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TITLES

Explore these additional genres by Black creators:

FAMILY & CULTURE

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

JOYFUL READS

PICTURE BOOKS

HISTORY

EMPOWERMENT

SOCIAL JUSTICE

INSPIRATIONAL

Main Street
Main Street
A Community Story About Redlining
David Wilkerson, Tiffany Jewell, Britt Hawthorne
9798217002672
A girl learns how the history of redlining has affected her neighborhood in this intergenerational picture book about racism, community action, and resilience by two New York Times bestselling authors.
$18.99 US
Jan 27, 2026
Hardcover
40 Pages
Kokila
Writing Toward Justice
Writing Toward Justice
The Life and Reporting of Alice A. Dunnigan
Peggy Thomas, Tonya Engel
9781662680892
Meet Alice Dunnigan, a pioneering Black journalist, who spoke truth to power—and earned the respect of President Harry S. Truman. An inspiring nonfiction picture book for kids ages 7–10 from award-winning author and illustrator Peggy Thomas and Tonya Engel.
$19.99 US
Jan 27, 2026
Hardcover
40 Pages
Calkins Creek
Family Feast!
Family Feast!
Carole Boston Weatherford, Frank Morrison
9780593898291
From the award-winning author and illustrator of Standing in the Need of Prayer comes a joyous picture book about an intergenerational Black family cooking a delicious feast and appreciating their quality time together.
$18.99 US
Sep 23, 2025
Hardcover
32 Pages
Crown Books for Young Readers
DK Super Readers Level 4 John Lewis
DK Super Readers Level 4 John Lewis
DK
9780593966365
Help your child power up their reading skills and learn all about the life of civil rights leader John Lewis, with this fact-filled nonfiction reader – carefully leveled to help children progress.
$4.99 US
May 13, 2025
Paperback
64 Pages
DK Children
Salon Saturday
Salon Saturday
Janelle Harper, Charlot Kristensen
9780593526330
A picture book that celebrates the community built at the hair salon and the dynamic variety of Black hairstyles!
$18.99 US
Sep 23, 2025
Hardcover
32 Pages
Viking Books for Young Readers
The Gathering Table
The Gathering Table
London Ladd, Antwan Eady
9780593480601
The author of Nigel and the Moon delivers a joyful picture book about how a Southern family gathers around a special table for year-round celebrations that highlight the importance of family, community, and coming together.
$18.99 US
May 06, 2025
Hardcover
40 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
My Friend LeVar
My Friend LeVar
Ezra Edmond, Jenna Nahyun Chung
9781623543174
Celebrate the joy of reading and imagination with Ezra; he loves discovering new picture books with his friend LeVar Burton, whom he knows from TV!
$17.99 US
Oct 01, 2024
Hardcover
32 Pages
Charlesbridge
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