Happy Black History Month – even if you aren’t black! Last year we all experienced some world shifting events, from a deadly pandemic to a global movement for racial justice which makes this year’s black history month more important than ever!
He Called For Mama: A Mother’s Role in Eliminating Racial Injustices
When George Floyd called for his mama, he called for all mamas to take action, do their part and start to make this world better. The reality is that children are not born to think differently about another race, they are inuadated with messages from society and the media daily about what’s “normal” or the default. Black vs. White is a social construct to instill that whites are superior. It is long overdue to eliminate that oppressive social ranking order. We all came from Africa – there are so many cultures but at the end of the day we are one race – the human race.
As moms we have the power to nurture the next generation and leave a legacy of children who become adults with roles in society like police officers, judges, lawyers and leaders who are not colorblind but colorkind. A generation that doesn’t abuse their power as they see fit but pursue justice with a heart filled with love and free from hate. The police officer who killed George Floyd was not born hating black people – he was taught. If we don’t take action – if we stay silent – then our power is put towards being complicit supporters of racism regardless if you are white or black. It truly begins with us mamas – so how will you use your power, what legacy will you leave behind?
20 Children Books That Celebrate Black History, Black Culture and Black Inclusivity
If you don’t know where to begin, start here with books that celebrate black history, black culture, black hair and black inclusivity. These are some of our favorite books and ones on our reading bucklist. All of these books can be found and purchased here
- Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
- Dad, Who Will I Be? G. Todd Taylor
- Hair Like Mine, Latashia M. Perry
- Skin Like Mine, Latashia M. Perry
- I Love My Hair! Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
- I Am Enough, Grace Byers
- When God Made You, Matthew Paul Turner
- Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, Vashti Harrison
- Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History, Vashti Harrison
- Look What Brown Can Do! T. Marie Harris
- The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath, Julia Finley Mosca
- Gary and the Great Inventors: It’s Laundry Day!
- The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist, Cynthis Levinson
- Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad, Ellen Levine
- Before She Was Harriet, Lesla Cline-Ransome
- Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? Patrice Mclaurin
- Dancing in the Wings, Debbie Allen and Kadir Nelson
- Bedtime Bonnet, Nancy Redd
- My Nana and Me, Irene Smalls
- [share one of your favorites in the comments]
My Hopes…
Mamas, try to be active as possible in highlighting our differences and the beauty in those differences! Remember that our children are our legacy we give to the world. I hope that you will insert these positive messages regularly into your home and schools! And I can’t wait to for you to share some of your favorite books so I can add some of them to our bucklist.
With Love From Catt
~XO
Books are such a wonderful way to teach our children about diversity and important events. Thank you for sharing these book titles! It is so helpful for moms looking to add books to their home libraries or teachers wanting to add to their classroom library!
Aw, thank you mama!
I absolutely love this article! It’s truly enlightening, and encouraging when it comes to taking action with our youth to create a better world and better future for all. As a mother of biracial children, I’ve tried to avoid discussions about race to avoid making them feel inadequate in some way. But the truth is, race should be addressed and acceptance and love for others regardless of the color of their skin is a must. Reading these stories with them is a great, gentle way to open that discussion. Thank you!
Aw mama, I get it! In the past many books soley focused on black trauma and that can cause a sense of feeling “less than” but thankfully books celebrating blackness and black accomplishments are becoming more mainstream.
This is a great article. I live in South Carolina and belong to the only “mixed” congregation church around. We have a wonderful outreach program that reads to children. This is a great selection of books to include for the future. Thanks for the info. I look forward to reading more of your articles.
That’s so cool that your church has an outreach program. I think these books are so well written and illustrated that the children will love them.
I love the books you chose for your list, as many of them celebrate loving the skin you’re in and loving who you are! Children definitely need to see more positive books about loving everything about themselves!
Thank you!
I am looking forward to reading Counting on Katherine this week as a companion book to Hidden Figures. I think my 5th graders will be inspired by the important contributions made by these women!
I am looking forward to reading Counting on Katherine this week as a companion book to Hidden Figures. I think my 5th graders will be inspired by the important contributions made by these women! Thank you for the book list!
I love your list. I see several that I have shared on my bookstagram, but also some that I need to add to my TBR list. One that I love is Schomburg: The Man who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford. Also great for Library Lovers Month which is also this month. Another is Tick Tock Banneker Clock by Shana Keller. Thanks again for sharing.
I’m so glad you found some new books to add to your TBR list. I will check out the 2 books you mentioned 📚- thanks for sharing ❤️