Read these seven children's books to celebrate Black History Month

Do you want to dive deeper into the lives of real Black Americans?

You don't have to wait until Black History Month — Black history is American history, after all. But this yearly celebration offers a wonderful prompt to learn more about historical icons and quietly great citizens who changed the little worlds around them, and thus changed our country.

With help from my 8-year-old — who suggested a few books from his own shelves — here are seven (of many) titles for young readers that deserve your time and attention during Black History Month.

"Who is Barack Obama?" by Roberta Edwards and John O'Brien

Part of the Who HQ series of biographies, Edwards' work not only traces Obama's road to the White House, but places his life and career in context of civil rights leaders and authors who influenced him, as well as pioneering Black politicians such as Shirley Chisholm and Jesse Jackson. O'Brien's simple but effective line drawings round out the book.

More: Black History Month TV guide: 10 shows that'll teach you a thing or two about the Black experience

"The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read" by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Oge More

Can you imagine learning to read at age 116? That's when Mary Walker put the pieces together and found meaning on the pages of books, including her treasured family Bible. Born into slavery and alive through dramatic shifts in history, Walker — who died in 1969 at 121 years old — is proof that life goes on at any age. Hubbard and More team to create a lovely book that upholds Walker's kind, dignified heart and testifies to the world-opening power of books.

"J is for Jazz" by Ann Ingalls and Maria Corte Maidagan

Brimming with personality, Ingalls' work takes an A-to-Z look at America's music, offering factoids and fun riffs on everyone and everything from Ella Fitzgerald and Thelonious Monk to "floorflushers" and Kansas City's "heavenly" reputation for jazz. Corte Maidagan's figure-bending illustrations lend even more life to a vibrant book.

More: Here's what's happening for Black History Month at MU, Columbia schools

"We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball" by Kadir Nelson

Nelson, a true American treasure, lends his words and gorgeous paintings in service of this rich history of the Negro Leagues. Nelson tells of, and renders, important figures such as Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige, while also discussing game play, the culture around the league and more. The detailed writing makes this book a good read for the family together, or for older grade-schoolers.

"Molly, By Golly!" by Dianne Ochiltree and Kathleen Kemly

Subtitled "The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter," this vibrant volume tells the story of a domestic worker who aided her local volunteer fire brigade during an emergency in New York City sometime in the early 1800s. Ochiltree's alliterative, percussive prose perfectly sets the action as Molly springs forward to help her fellow citizens.

"Martin's Big Words" by Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier

Many worthy books about King have been written; Rappaport's work focuses on the transformative power of words — both positive and negative — in a young King's life, and the power he harnessed in his speeches and writings. The book weaves in many of King's most powerful quotations, presenting them simply for young readers to experience and memorize. Collier, a peerless illustrator, contributes soulful images that underline King's message in a way words alone cannot.

More: Columbia reverend calls for community to act on continuing legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

"Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre" by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper

The revered author Weatherford, accompanied by Cooper's exquisite illustrations, tells the story of Greenwood, a prosperous Black enclave in Tulsa, which was burned and razed by whites in 1921. Weatherford and Cooper detail the evil of that event but, to their credit, spend much of the book discussing the beauty and community embodied by the residents of Greenwood.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: These 7 children's books will help celebrate Black History Month