15 children's picture books featuring Black families
Laura Henry-Allain, author and creator of JoJo & Gran Gran, recommends 15 picture books featuring Black families, celebrating the joy, warmth and diversity of family life.
"It is so important that every child can see themselves and their families in books and for other children to lean in and learn about positive representations of family lives. I have chosen children's picture books written by Black authors that show Black children. My background is in Early Years education and research informs us that children's views of others and the world around them are formed at this early stage, thus it is crucial that children have access to books that represent the global village.
A little about me: I created JoJo & Gran Gran, the global award-winning animation based on the relationship that I had with my grandmother. My other books include the Maya & Marley book series and My Family, Your Family. I have two grown-up sons; one is autistic, and I am proud to be dyslexic."
Laura Henry-Allain MBE, author of Maya & Marley and the New Friend
Auntie's Bangles: A story about love and loss written by Dean Atta and illustrated by Alea Marley (4+)
I love the relationship between the auntie and cousins in this book. Auntie's Bangles is such an emotive story, helping children discuss special memories of loved ones. This book is personal to me as my grandmother (the original Gran Gran, from JoJo & Gran Gran) gifted me a set of bangles as a child.
Daddy Do My Hair: Beth's Twists written by Tolá Okogwu and illustrated by Chanté Timothy (4+)
There is so much to love about this book, which shows tender masculinity with the dad character doing his daughter Beth's hair. It is full of joy and rhyme and celebrates the special relationship between a father and daughter. The hair tips in the book are welcomed, and I especially like the illustrations of the different hairstyles.
Dave and the Tooth Fairy written by Verna Wilkins and illustrated by Carl Pearce (4+)
Losing a tooth is a rite of passage, and Dave and the Tooth Fairy is a beautiful story to share with children about this experience. There is playfulness with Dave using his grandfather's dentures as a replacement for his lost tooth. What will the Tooth Fairy think of Dave's plan? I remember being fascinated as a child with my grandparents' dentures.
Flower Block written by Lanisha Butterfield and illustrated by Hoang Giang (3+)
Flower Block is a modern and fresh take on Jack and the Beanstalk, set in social housing. We meet Jeremiah and his brother and see their sunflowers exploding with magical growth. Like Lanisha, I was raised in social housing and I love books that offer a positive depiction of different communities. This is a great book that shines a light on tower blocks, the importance of community and nature.
Grandma's Locs written by Karen Arthur and illustrated by Camilla Ru (5+)
I love this upbeat book, naturally it has a grandmother as the main protagonist! Grandma's Locs shows the beauty of natural Black hair, from locs to headwear. The illustrations are very powerful and warming to the heart and mind. This book invites children to discuss hairstyles and introduces new terms such as locs and headscarves.
Is That Your Mama? written by Patrice Lawrence and illustrated by Diane Ewen (4+)
A super important book looking at diversity in families and how not everyone from the same family may look the same, especially when skin colour is different. Josie keeps getting asked, 'Is that your Mama?', which makes her reflect on her family. Is That your Mama? is great for children who may be naturally curious about differences in families and can help explain how there are ways of expressing that curiosity so that everyone feels welcome.
Kid Rex to the Rescue written by Mayo Agard-Olubo and illustrated by Diane Ewen (3+)
This is an exciting and adventurous book that shows a lovely relationship between father and son. The wonderful illustrations by Diane bring this story alive. The energy of dinosaur and superhero adventures is enjoyable and imaginative and there are several real-life extension activities that can be developed from reading Kid Rex to the Rescue.
John Agard's Windrush Child written by John Agard and illustrated by Sophie Bass (4+)
I am a second generation Windrush child. The Windrush generation are a key part of British history, and we must keep sharing their stories. In John Agard's Windrush Child, we read about a child's emotive experience on board the Empire Windrush with their parents. I appreciated the supporting text at the back of the book that explains the history of the Windrush generation in a child-friendly style.
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Look Up written by Nathan Bryon and illustrated by Dapo Adeola (3+)
Look Up is the first book in this A for Awesomeness book series that features Rocket and her brother. I have always loved the way Dapo styles Rocket, her hair and glasses, and the cover makes you want to jump into this book! It's a great story that encourages the energetic Rocket to look up rather than down at her phone, which we all need to be reminded of.
Luna Loves Gardening written by Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Fiona Lumbers (3+)
I love this book in the Luna Loves series, especially the community garden and the importance of sharing with children the 'soil to table' concept. Children will learn about callaloo, which is grown in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, and if they haven't already, they may even want to give it a try. An all-round great book that celebrates community and children being outdoors.
Maya & Marley and the New Friend written by Laura Henry-Allain and illustrated by Yabaewah Scott (3+)
Brother and sister Maya and Marley live in an outdoor playground. In Maya & Marley and the New Friend, we see them welcoming Kazuki, who at first is shy and nervous but with the help of Maya and Marley soon feels welcome. Alongside friends and neighbours, they celebrate a community lunch, complete with mishaps from cheeky pet goats, Lou and Chou.
My Two Grandads written by Floella Benjamin and illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain (5+)
It's always great to have a book that features grandads and their grandchildren positively. Aston's grandads are each of a different race and culture. In My Two Grandads, both granddads love music and play instruments – Grandad Roy plays steel pan and Grandad Harry plays the trumpet. They both welcome Aston's suggestion of supporting the school fair.
My Rice is Best written by Selina Brown and illustrated by Maxwell A. Oginni (3+)
Food is central to family celebrations and My Rice Is Best shows this throughout the book. I love how Shane and Yinka proudly share their family's food: rice and peas and jollof rice. This book is super funny and warms your heart. Many children will be able to relate to and discuss food from their own families.
So Much written by Trish Cooke and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (2+)
So Much is THE timeless classic that children have been enjoying for more than 30 years. When my sons were little they would ask for this book to be read so many times. The intergenerational relationships between family members – cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents – are wonderful. It is full of love and joy and even writing this puts a smile on my face and fills my heart with so much love for this book.
The Big Green: Everyone Can Make a Difference by Ken Wilson-Max (4+)
A great reflective book for children to support their understanding of sustainability globally. In The Big Green, we see Mariam and Issa – with their parents and uncle Cedric – being curious about the seedlings and saplings. Uncle Cedric has a beautiful and profound answer for them.
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