Children's Books by Black Authors Illustrators to Buy Now

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Storytime was one of my son’s favorite evening rituals when he was young, and nothing made him light up more than when the stories had characters whose faces looked like his. I was intentional about selecting books by African American authors and illustrators and believe that early exposure fostered his continual love for reading.

According to a Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, 47% of parents say they, too, want books for their children that feature characters of color. The need for diverse literature led Asha Grant to open The Salt Eaters Bookshop in Inglewood, California in December 2021. The name is derived from the novel The Salt Eaters by Toni Cade Bambara, a leading voice in the Black feminist movement. “Black women writers and thinkers changed my life and have also propelled – and continue to propel – our society forward,” says Grant, a Spelman College graduate. “It was important for me to create a space that could house these offerings spread across all genres for folks of all ages to access easily.”

In honor of Black History Month (and every month, really), SheKnows has assembled a roundup of 40 beautifully written and illustrated children’s books by African American creatives that will make perfect additions to your home library.