Although we are currently commemorating Black History Month, Black History is for every day of the year, not just the twenty-eight days in February. But if you are looking for new picture books to share at home and in the classroom this month, NPL has you covered. Check out this roundup of some recently published books below!
Published in September of last year, Freedom Braids is a story of "love, liberation, and legacy." Nemy is enslaved on a sugarcane plantation, sowing seeds, pulling weeds, and stripping leaves day after day. One night, she follows "Big Mother" and the other women into a hidden shack. There Nemy and the other women braid each other's hair, but this is not a mere hairstyling session. They weave into their hair maps, messages, and even seeds to help guide their escape into freedom.
This beautiful and uplifting book is perfect for students in Kindergarten and above. Author Monique Duncan includes a letter to the reader, detailing how she was inspired by the Colombian village San Basilio de Palenque, the first free African community in the Americas.
Released in honor of his 100th birthday, Jimmy's Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin is the first picture book biography of a truly unparalleled American writer. Born in Harlem, New York, Jimmy grew up taking care of his younger siblings and reading whenever he could. His talent for writing was nurtured by his mother and teachers, including his junior high French teacher, poet Countee Cullen.
Jimmy's dedication to writing would take him to Greenwich Village, Paris, and beyond. He also raised his voice against racism, oppression, and white supremacy, becoming a leading voice of the civil rights movement. Author Michelle Meadows traces Baldwin's life in clear free verse poetry, and artist Jamiel Law's striking illustrations just earned him a John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award.
You know we love a picture book biography of a trailblazing librarian, and Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller certainly suits the bill. Born in Baltimore, Augusta Baker learned to love stories from her grandmother, an engrossing storyteller who weaved folktales and myths to tell stories of wily heroes and adventurers.
Young Augusta took her love of stories to a public library in Harlem, where she advocated for children's books that included authentic representations of black children and their families. She eventually became the first black woman to serve as New York Public Library's Coordinator of Children’s Services. Baker continued to spread the power of stories throughout her life, as an educator, performer, and even Storyteller in Residence at the University of South Carolina. Author Breanna J. McDaniel's prose lends itself well to a classroom read-aloud, and illustrator April Harrison's dynamic mixed-media collages rightfully earned her a 2025 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor.
For a whole list of Black history picture books to read and share throughout the year, see the catalog widget above. If you are looking for resources for the early childhood classroom, check out the Joyful ABC Activity Booklets from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The activity booklets support language, literacy, and positive development, and can be downloaded for use by early childhood teachers. There are versions available for both PreK and Infant and Toddler teachers!
If you are a teacher at a BBTL partner site school, don't forget that we can customize curricular resources for your classroom. We also have a free Lesson Plan PDF for one of our very favorite books, There Was a Party for Langston. Find out how you can bring the life and work of Langston Hughes and other African American giants into the classroom in February, and all year long!
