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Topic: Black Lives and Black History

Chapter bookDyslexia-friendly

From the horrors of the slave trade to a book that changed the world, Catherine Johnson celebrates the incredible life of Olaudah Equiano in this gripping true story.

Born in what is now Nigeria in 1745, Olaudah Equiano’s peaceful childhood was brought to an abrupt end when he was captured and enslaved aged 11. He spent much of the next eight years of his life at sea, seeing action in the Seven Years’ War. When he was finally able to buy his freedom, he went on to become a prominent member of the abolition movement and in 1789 published one of the first books by a Black African writer. Journey Back to Freedom focuses on Equiano’s early life, demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit and one man’s determination to be free

Best Children’s Books about Black History

We’ve put together a list of the best children’s books about black history both in the UK and around the globe. We’ve also included some key titles that support conversations about systematic racism in a child-friendly way.

Trace key historical events in Timelines from Black History, explore more about Britain’s Black history in Black and British or join young Paloma as she discovers her family’s history in Our Story Starts in Africa. These books can be used for Black History Month, when many schools and families dedicate time to research Britain’s black history and to find out more about particular black people who have made a difference. We believe these books are just as important all year round, too. 

If you are looking for more about Black British history, we have a separate Black British history booklist with even more suggestions.

Picturebook

In this book from the highly acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the incredible life of Rosa Parks, the ‘Mother of the Freedom Movement.’

Rosa Parks grew up in Alabama, where she learned to stand up for herself at an early age. Rosa went on to become a civil rights activist. In 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her courageous decision had a huge impact on civil rights, eventually leading to the end of segregation on public transport. She never stopped working for equal rights. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back , including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the activist’s life.

Picturebook

A brilliantly witty introduction to comparisons and opposites, illustrated by the winner of the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award.

These children and animals are all very different to each other. Some are big, some are small. Some are gentle, some are rough. Everyone is playful, but who’s the best at hiding? One thing’s certain: they all love a good bedtime story!

Shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Picture Book Award, this is the perfect book for little ones who are just beginning to make sense of their place in the world. Karl Newson has created a simple, funny and heart-warming text, which is perfectly matched by Kate Hindley’s charming, brilliantly witty artwork, filled with detail.

Every Nosy Crow paperback picture book comes with a free “Stories Aloud” audio recording. Just scan the QR code and listen along!

Related activity sheets available on the Nosy Crow website.

Non-fiction

An important and timely book on race and racism, encouraging children to think for themselves about the issues involved.
Talk about race is often discouraged, but this book aims to bring everyone into the conversation. It explores the history of race and society, giving context to how racist attitudes come into being. It looks at belonging and identity, the damaging effects of stereotyping and the benefits of positive representation. The authors talk sensitively about how to identify and challenge racism, and how to protect against and stop racist behaviour.

Aimed at young people aged 10 and upwards.

Part of the groundbreaking and important ‘And Other Big Questions’ series, which offers balanced and considered views on the big issues we face in the world we live in today.

Chapter book

Matthew Henson was simply an ordinary man. That was, until Commander Robert E. Peary entered his life, and offered him a chance at true adventure. Henson would become navigator, craftsman, translator, and right-hand man on a treacherous journey to the North Pole. Defying the odds and the many prejudices that faced him to become a true pioneer. This is his incredible and often untold story. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+

Picturebook

A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author and a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist.
Henry Brown doesn’t know how old he is. Nobody keeps records of slaves’ birthdays. All the time he dreams about freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. Henry grows up and marries, but he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do: He will mail himself to the North. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry finally has a birthday — his first day of freedom.

Picturebook

In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Martin Luther King Jr., the inspiring minister and civil rights activist.

Little Martin grew up in a family of preachers: his dad was a preacher, his uncle was a preacher, his grandfather was a preacher… so maybe he’d become a great preacher too. One day, a friend invited him to play at his house. Martin was shocked when his mother wouldn’t let him in because he was black. That day he realized there was something terribly unfair going on. Martin believed that no one should remain silent and accept something if it’s wrong. And he promised himself that – when he grew up – he’d fight injustice with the most powerful weapon of all: words. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back , including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the inspiring activist’s life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people , from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats . The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

Non-fiction

Throughout the brutal history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade that took place between the 16th and 19th centuries, Africans resisted enslavement at different times and in many ways.

This book looks at the struggle for freedom and the key events in the build up to the abolition of slavery.

The Black History series brings together a wide range of events and experiences from the past to promote knowledge and understanding of black culture today. This book looks at the struggle for freedom and the key events in the build up to the abolition of slavery.

Graphic Novel

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela is the amazing story of a true hero of our times; his famous biography has been specially adapted for children in a beautiful illustrated picture book format. Discover how a little boy whose father called him “troublemaker” grew up to fight apartheid, become South Africa’s first black president and campaign for freedom and justice throughout the world.

Adapted by poet Chris van Wyk and illustrated by South African artist Paddy Bouma, with an introduction from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Long Walk to Freedom introduces children to the life of one of the world’s most beloved leaders.

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