Enchanting Fantasy Books Where Black Kids Shape Magical Worlds

Explore under the sea and beyond with Ariel in the new picture book retelling of Disney’s live action The Little Mermaid!

(Ages 3 – 5)

Young Toni knows that her stories are going to change the world. She’s good at spinning a yarn, and in fact, she thinks she might be able to spin her stories into gold if she tries hard enough. Maybe her stories can even lead her to buried treasure? Literary scholar Giselle Anatol and Coretta Scott King honoree Raissa Figueroa have crafted a wholly original tale inspired by the life and works of Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison. Small-Girl Toni and the Quest for Gold honors one of America’s most important writers and is a testament to the power of storytelling.

(Ages 4 – 8)

All it takes is a loving teacher to help a boy get control of his sizzling superpowers, in this vibrant picture book by bestselling author Derrick Barnes. She shows him ways to calm himself and that caring for others is its own kind of superpower. With her help — and some cool new friends — he just might be on his way to becoming the best version of himself possible.

(Ages 5 – 8)

Bestselling author Rick Riordan presents the second book in the New York Times bestselling and award-winning Tristan Strong trilogy. Tristan must return to Alke — and reunite with his loud-mouthed sidekick, Gum Baby — in order to rescue Nana and stop the culprit from creating further devastation. Anansi, now a “web developer” in Tristan’s phone, is close at hand to offer advice, and several new folk heroes will aid Tristan in his quest, but he will only succeed if he can figure out a way to sew broken souls back together.

(Ages 8 – 12)

Each installment in this series follows a group of teenage “demi-Gods” that didn’t inherit any god-like powers, but they prove useful to the Gods by solving mysteries and problems in Ancient Greece. The characters must overcome self-doubt and discover their skills even though they may be disappointed that “powers” haven’t come easily to them.

((Ages 10 – 14)

A genre-defying novel from the award-winning author NPR describes as “like [Madeline] L’Engle … glorious.” A singular book that explores themes of identity and justice. Pet is here to hunt a monster. Are you brave enough to look?

(Ages 12+)

A teenager on the run from his past finds the family he never knew existed and the community he never knew he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical. Enroll in the debut of a fresh fantasy series unlike anything you’ve seen before.

(Ages 14+)

In the first book of a new series inspired by African mythology, dragon gods rule the earth and sky — until the gods are betrayed, and one girl embarks on a journey to save the world from war and ruin. From the New York Times bestselling author of Skin of the Sea.

(Ages 14+)