The Best Children’s Books by Authors of Color

From multi Grammy-award winning artist and songwriter Victoria Monét comes a lyrical picture book that’s perfect for children with separation anxiety, while also offering some healing for hard working parents. 

(Ages 2 – 5)

This Land teaches readers that American land, from our backyards to our schools to Disney World, are the traditional homelands of many Indigenous nations. This Land will spark curiosity and encourage readers to explore the history of the places they live and the people who have lived there throughout time and today. 

(Ages 4 – 8)

From a Newbery Medal-winning author and a bestselling illustrator, the powerhouse duo behind the #1 New York Times bestseller Love, comes a deeply moving ode to the places we feel safe, loved, and true to ourselves — wherever they might be. Don’t miss the Spanish-language edition of this book, Hogar. 

(Ages 4 – 8)

A tall tale inspired by the life and works of American writer, folklorist, and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. Small-girl Zora knows her stories are going to change the world. But when things don’t go exactly as planned, Zora learns that with creativity, determination, and faith, a little magic might be possible. 

(Ages 4 – 8)

A picture book debut by an award-winning author about a boy’s life on the U.S.-Mexico border, visiting his favorite places on The Other Side with his father, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care. 

(Ages 4 – 8)

This autobiographical picture book by the multiple Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack recounts her childhood in a home surrounded by music and love: It all started with a beat-up piano that her father found in a junkyard, repaired, and painted green. 

(Ages 4 – 8)

The instant New York Times bestselling Bunheads by Misty Copeland gets a second act. And this time, Misty and her best friend, Cat, are excited to learn the ballet Don Quixote — a wondrous tale about a brave knight searching for his Dulcinea, his one true love. But when Cat is injured and unable to perform, she weathers her disappointment with courage and a dose of girl power. Bunheads, Act 2: The Dance of Courage is an inspiring tale for anyone who’s ever suffered a setback or had a dream deferred. 

(Ages 5 – 8)

In this joyful and impactful picture book, a transgender boy prepares for the first day of school and introduces himself to his family and friends for the first time. Inspired by the authors’ own transgender child and accompanied by warm and triumphant illustrations, this authentic and personal text promotes kindness and empathy, offering a poignant and inclusive back-to-school message: All should feel safe, respected, and welcomed. 

(Ages 4 – 8)

In this lyrical picture book about the importance of caring for our Earth, a child and her father wish for a brighter, greener future for the parched land around their home. 

(Ages 4 – 8)

This love letter to New York City shows New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani walking through all five boroughs and celebrating the people and places that make it great. From a Mets game at Citi Field to a polar bear plunge at Coney Island, the city is filled with adventures waiting to be had. 

(Ages 4 – 8)

What’s for dinner? A Taiwanese American child brings his diverse neighbors together to make a tasty communal meal. Together, they cook up a steaming family dinner that celebrates community, cooperation, and culture. Includes a family recipe for hot pot!

Derived from Mexican Indigenous wisdom, this is the third title in a series of poetic board books centered around establishing an authentic, heartfelt connection with nature. We move through the Sun’s cycles through the seasons — listening to the awakening of nature in spring, celebrating the shining warmth in summer, honoring our loved ones in autumn, and dreaming of better days ahead in winter. This book is a truly meaningful and formative experience for all young readers.

Baby and Daddy are taking a walk in their neighborhood! Read along as they say hello to their friends and celebrate their community in this next installment of the Brown Baby Parade series that’s perfect for ages 0 – 3. The joyful depiction of a diverse community will allow children to see themselves and encourage them to interact with their own neighborhood!

Two brothers and a dog have fun at the beach in this bilingual board book from Theodor Seuss Geisel Honoree Joe Cepeda. This story about exploring and discovery is perfect for the toddler who loves digging through the sandbox in search of treasure. Very simple, easy-to-read text appears in English and Spanish, side by side, and accompanies Joe Cepeda’s bold, energetic artwork.

U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s iconic poem “Remember,” illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade, invites young readers to pause and reflect on the wonder of the world around them, and to remember the importance of their place in it.

Meet two friends who think they’re building imaginative worlds with blocks but come to realize they’ve been building something far greater — a sturdy, solid friendship — in this picture book by award-winning creators.

Filled with heartwarming illustrations, Wash Day with Mama centers on a little girl cherishing each step of their hair wash routine while Mama imparts her wisdom and stresses the importance of self-care, loving yourself, and being proud of who you are. The process of washing and taking care of Black hair takes time and effort, but this poignant story shows how it is an act of self-love and nurtures a special connection between mother and daughter.

Fry Bread meets Bilal Cooks Daal in this story about a girl and her mom introducing a school friend to curry — and discovering all the things that curry means to them as they learn to make it together. With delicious writing and imaginative illustrations, Curry Means More showcases the simple yet transformative magic of a home-cooked meal.

There is nothing more magical than a grandmother’s love. But one lucky girl suspects her grandmother has actual magic. It’s in the tun-tun-tun of the way she dances salsa, in the warmth of her hugs, and the delicious smell of her cooking. The granddaughter wonders: Will I have magic of my own one day?

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.

An Indigenous legend about how four extraordinary individuals of dual male and female spirit, or Mahu, brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, based on the Academy Award-contending short film.

Laila knows how clever, kind, and funny her Mama and Baba are — but sometimes they need her help translating things from English. With English classes being too expensive, Laila decides to become her parents’ teacher, even though she’s just learning the language too. There’s lots that Laila knows (like you don’t pronounce the t in ballet) but there’s so much she doesn’t know too. Together, they embrace the joy and struggles of learning a new language.

A sharp and heartfelt picture book about a young soccer-loving girl who’s an interpreter for her Spanish-speaking parents. Olivia Abtahi’s clever text and Monica Arnaldo’s charming illustrations capture a common aspect of life for immigrant and bilingual families while offering a model for teamwork that helps everyone feel understood.

A lyrical picture book from the award-winning author of Heavy, about three Black boys who form a deep connection during a transformative summer trip down South to visit family. With text brimming with love by award-winning author Kiese Laymon and deeply evocative illustrations by Alexis Franklin, City Summer, Country Summer illuminates the tenuous and tender bonds of friendship Black boys forge with one another.

When San Francisco is under strange attacks — like earthquakes affecting only two city blocks at a time — who’re you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that’s who! The Misfits are on the case in this hilarious series from Newbery Honoree Lisa Yee and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat!

Until now, you’ve only heard one side of the story: The “discovery” of America told by Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, and the Colonists. Here’s the true story of America from the Indigenous perspective.

Since Grandpa died, Dally’s days are dull and restricted. Then Dally rescues a mysterious envelope from her mother’s clutches, an envelope Grandpa left for her. The map she finds inside leads straight to an ancient vault, a library of secrets where each book is a portal to a precise moment in time. As Dally “checks out” adventure after adventure she begins to dive deep into her family’s hidden history. But the library has secrets of its own … Equal parts mystery and adventure — with a biracial child puzzling out her identity alongside the legacy of the past — this masterful middle-grade fantasy rivets with crackling prose, playful plot twists, and timeless themes. 

Reality proves more epic than fantasy in this family road trip starring a reluctant young hero and his curmudgeonly grandfather. Over the course of ten epic days on the highway, they will slay demons, real and imagined; confront old stories to write new ones; and learn what it truly means to show up for your family.

Newbery Honoree Derrick Barnes tackles timely issues of race and prejudice in this powerful, nuanced novel about an accomplished Black boy who strives to be seen for who he is. Written for children ages 10 and up, Barnes’s groundbreaking novel masterfully combines a modern-day allegory with classic-style tall tales to weave a compelling story of America’s obsession with relegating Black people to labor or entertainment. Spanning the 1800s to today, this exceptional novel shows how much has changed over the centuries … and, at the same time, how little.

The world is so much BIGGER and more “immense” than we humans experience it. We can only see so many colors, we can only feel so many sensations, and there are some senses we can’t access at all. Exploring the amazing ways animals perceive the world is an excellent way to help understand the world itself. And this young readers adaptation of the mega-bestseller An Immense World is perfect for curious kids and their families. Sure to capture young readers’ interest it is filled with amazing animal facts and stunning full-color illustrations.

It’s been a year since his best friend, Sam, died. Even though Oliver knows he won’t get a response, he can’t stop texting Sam’s number, especially as the anniversary of his death approaches. Then one day he accidentally hits the call button, and someone picks up … Fall in love all over again with Oliver’s story in the hotly-anticipated companion novel to the bestselling sensation You’ve Reached Sam.

This award-winning modern classic — a must-have for every child’s home library — is an inclusive ode to kindness, empathy, gratitude, and finding joy in unexpected places, and celebrates the special bond between a curious young boy and his loving grandmother. 

(Ages 3 – 5)

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway. 

(Ages 5 – 8)

Every design has a name and means something in the powerful past and present richness of the Black tradition. Mama’s and Great-Grammaw’s gentle fingers weave the design, and their lulling voices weave the tale, as they braid their children’s hair into the striking cornrow patterns of Africa. 

(Ages 5 – 8)

The acclaimed author of Red at the Bone tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing poems. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, providing a glimpse into a child’s soul as she finds her voice through writing and searches for her place in the world. Teeming with feeling and deeply personal, Brown Girl Dreaming is the groundbreaking chronicle of Woodson’s journey to storytelling, and a beautiful portrayal of physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. 

(Ages 10 and up)

Twelve-year-old Amal’s dream of becoming a teacher one day is dashed in an instant when she accidentally insults a member of her Pakistani village’s ruling family. As punishment for her behavior, she is forced to leave her heartbroken family behind and go work at their estate. There, Amal becomes clear that this family’s hold on her village will never loosen as long as everyone is too afraid to challenge them — so if Amal is to have any chance of ensuring her loved ones’ safety and winning back her freedom, she must find a way to work with the other servants to make it happen. 

(Ages 10 – 14)

From renowned author Julia Alvarez comes an unforgettable story about adolescence, perseverance, and one girl’s struggle to be free while living in the Dominican Republic under the rule of a dictator. 

(Ages 12 and up)

“Readers will be captivated by this beautifully written novel about young people who must use their instincts and grit to survive. Padma shares with us an unflinching peek into the reality millions of homeless children live every day but also infuses her story with hope and bravery that will inspire readers and stay with them long after turning the final page” (Aisha Saeed, author of Amal Unbound). 

(Ages 10 and up)

Winner of the 2019 Newbery Medal, this coming-of-age tale by New York Times bestselling author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school — and the steadfast connection that defines family. 

(Ages 9 – 12)