February is Black History Month. This celebration was initially introduced as National Negro History Week in 1926, in an effort to raise awareness of the contributions of African Americans to US history, and was expanded to a full month in the 1970s. This month provides an important opportunity to introduce conversations with young children about African American heritage and history.
In this article, you’ll find inspiring stories in book and video formats for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-k learners.
Featuring 18 trailblazing black women in American history, this is a board book adaptation of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History. Learn about heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary things to make the world better for generations of girls and women to come. This book is also available as a free read-aloud video and animation.
Written by Anna Membrino and illustrated by Fatti Burke
This bright, simply illustrated board book featuring inspiring quotes from Michelle Obama is easy to share with young readers. If you and your little ones enjoy this book, you might check out some of the author’s other stories of inspiring Black women, including I Look Up to…Serena Wiliams and I Look Up to…Oprah Winfrey. A read-aloud video of I Look Up To Michelle Obama can be found on Youtube.
Written by Roda Ahmed and illustrated by Stasia Burrington
This book shares the story of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space. Starting with her childhood dreams of being an astronaut and ending with her success at NASA, this story is an inspiring read for young children. An engaging read-aloud video of this story is available on youtube.
Written by Useni Eugene Perkins and illustrated by Bryan Collier
This story’s message is shared in an empowering poem, written by Useni Eugene Perkins in 1975. The book is optimistic, inspiring, and hopeful as it celebrates Black children and their potential. The bright illustrations match positive text that seeks to inspire all young readers to dream big and reminds them that they have the ability to accomplish great things. This book and poem are read aloud in a video on youtube.
Featuring forty trailblazing Black women in American history, Little Leaders educates and inspires young readers with stories of black women who broke boundaries and made history. Through the sweet illustrations and thought-provoking stories, young children find heroes and role models who helped to make the world a better place for generations to come.
Written by Margaret H. Mason and illustrated by Floyd Cooper
This beautifully illustrated story explores the legacy of a grandfather who fought discrimination in the 1950s and 60s. This touching story of the love between a grandfather and his grandson uses simple, gentle language to explore a deeply and emotionally moving topic with young readers.
Written by Margot Lee Shetterly and illustrated by Laura Freeman
This book is about four Black women– Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden– who provided the calculations for America’s first journeys into space. The story of four women who shared an incredible gift for math and science is a great read to inspire young children’s interest in STEM learning! Laura Freeman, the book’s illustrator, reads the story out loud via online video.
Written by Jabari Asim and illustrated by E. B. Lewis
This book offers a glimpse into the childhood of John Lewis, a Civil Rights leader and important figure in American history. The story explores John’s desire to be a preacher when he grew up and how he practiced his leadership and speaking skills by preaching to a flock of chickens on his family farm. A free, read-aloud video version of this story is available on youtube.
For additional fun and inspiring Black History Month resources and activities for early childhood care & learning providers, take a look at this article from the Good2Know archives!
