28 Inspiring Picture Books to Read for Black History Month

FEBRUARY 1ST — LANGSTON HUGHES BIRTHDAY

Langston Huges, an American poet and social activist was born on February 1st, 1901. That is My Dream is based on Dream Variation, a poem written by Langston Hughes. It’s about a dream for a world free of discrimination and prejudice as well as freedom.

FEBRUARY 2ND — RAVEN WILKINSON BIRTHDAY

Raven Wilkinson, the first African-American woman to dance for a major ballet company, was born on February 2nd, 1935. Trailblazer shares the story of Raven Wilkinson, from the start of her passion for dance as well as her success as a professional dancer.

FEBRUARY 3RD — JIMI HENDRIX

Jimi Hendrix, an American singer and guitarist, records Purple Haze in 1967 — one of his most famous songs. Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow is a picture book biography that explores Jimi’s childhood as well as how he became a talented musician.

FEBRUARY 4TH — ROSA PARKS BIRTHDAY

Rosa Parks, an activist in the civil rights movement known for her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, was born on February 4th, 1913. Rosa Parks is a wonderful picture book biography that shares her life. It’s also part of the Little People, Big Dreams series.

FEBRUARY 5TH — HENRY AARON’S BIRTHDAY

Henry Aaaron, also known as Hank Aaaron, was born on February 5th, 1934. He was an American baseball player with a reputation of hitting more than 24 home runs a year. Henry Aaron’s Dream shares the story of Hank as well as how he became the home-run king.

FEBRUARY 6TH — ARTHUR ASHE DIES

Arthur Ashe, an American tennis player who won three Grand Slam singles titles, died on February 6th, 1993. The Ashe Brothers shares the story of Arthur as well as his younger brother Johnnie and their climb in the world of tennis. It also shares how Arthur became the first black man to break the colour barrier in tennis.

FEBRUARY 7TH — START OF BLACK HISTORY WEEK

On February 7th, 1926, Carter G Woodson creates Black History Week. This week later becomes Black History Month in 1976. Carter Reads the Newspaper shares the life story of Carter, especially his interest in history and reading. It also explains how he became the father of Black History Month.

FEBRUARY 8TH — OPRAH WINFREY

Oprah Winfrey became the first African-American woman to host a nationally syndicated talk show on February 8th, 1986. I Am Oprah Winfrey is a picture book biography that’s also part of the Ordinary People Change the World series. This book is so fun and is an adorable look into the life of Oprah.

FEBRUARY 9TH — ALICE WALKER BIRTHDAY

Alice Walker, an American novelist and poet who became the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, was born on February 9th, 1944. Sweet People are Everywhere is a poem that focuses on how there is a thread of sweet people all around the world.

FEBRUARY 10TH — ROBERTA FLACK BIRTHDAY

Roberta Flack, an American singer who was the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in two consecutive years, was born on February 10th, 1937. The Green Piano is a really sweet picture book that shares Roberta’s childhood experiences as well as her love for music. The author also happens to be Roberta Flack.

FEBRUARY 11TH — NELSON MANDELA

Nelson Mandela, an activist and politician was released from jail on February 11th, 1990 after 27 years. He then went on to be the first President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Nelson Mandela is a great picture book biography for young readers that’s also part of the Little People, Big Dreams series.

FEBRUARY 12TH — NAACP IS CREATED

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is formed on February 12th, 1909. It was created to help ensure equal rights as well as eliminate racial discrimination. The Highest Tribute shares the story of Thurgood Marshall, an American civil rights lawyer who also helped lead the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational fund.

FEBRUARY 13TH — LARRY DOBY

The Negro National Baseball League is formed by Hall of Famer Andrew “Rube” Foster and other team owners on February 13th, 1920. All Star shares the story of Larry Doby, a player for the Negro Leagues who later became the second black player to break baseball’s colour barrier. He also became the first black player in the American Baseball League.

FEBRUARY 14TH — VALENTINE’S DAY

On Valentine’s Day, celebrate love as well as kindness with Bob Marley’s famous song, “One Love.”

FEBRUARY 15TH — LOUIS ARMSTRONG

“Hello Dolly,” a song by Louis Armstrong, becomes his first and only number one record on February 15th, 1964. Just a Lucky So and So shares the story of Louis Armstrong, an important figure in the history of jazz.

FEBRUARY 16TH — LEVAR BURTON BIRTHDAY

Levar Burton, the host of Reading Rainbow for 23 years, was born on February 16th, 1957. Celebrate his birthday by reading one of his picture books, such as The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm. You can also celebrate by watching an episode of Reading Rainbow.

FEBRUARY 17TH — MICHAEL JORDAN BIRTHDAY

Michael Jordan, who is known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, was born on February 17th, 1963. Dream Big shares the story of Michael Jordan as well as his dreams of winning an Olympic medal. The author also happens to be his mother, Deloris Jordan.

FEBRUARY 18TH — TONI MORRISON BIRTHDAY

Toni Morrison, an American novelist who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1987 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, was born on February 18th, 1931. On Her Wings is a picture book biography that explores the early life of Toni Morrison as well as how she became a celebrated American novelist.

FEBRUARY 19TH — THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

The Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American military pilots who fought in World War II, were initiated into the Armed Forces on February 19th, 1942. Wind Flyers follows a young boy who loves to fly and also shares his journey from Alabama to being in the Second World War. The author also happens to be a three time Coretta Scott King Award winning author.

FEBRUARY 20TH — FREDERICK DOUGLASS DIES

Frederick Douglass, an American social reformer and abolitionist, died on February 20th, 1895. Bread for Words is a great introduction into the life of Frederick Douglass, who later became known as the father of the abolitionist movement. He also advised President Abraham Lincoln and President Andrew Jackson.

FEBRUARY 21ST — MALCOLM X DIES

Malcolm X, an American minister and human rights activist during the civil rights movement died on February 21st, 1965. Malcolm Little shares the story of Malcolm X during his childhood. The author also happens to be his daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz.

FEBRUARY 22ND — HORACE PIPPIN BIRTHDAY

Horace Pippin, an American self-taught artist, was born on February 22nd, 1888. A Splash of Red is a sweet picture book biography that shares his story as well as is journey to being an artist. It’s also a great story about overcoming obstacles.

FEBRUARY 23RD — WEB DUBOIS BIRTHDAY

WEB DuBois, a civil rights activist who was one of the founding members of the NAACP in 1909, was born on February 23rd, 1868. Learn about important figures in Black history, such as WEB DuBois, by going through the alphabet with The ABCs of Black History. This book is also a great introduction to historical events.

FEBRUARY 24TH — KATHERINE JOHNSON DIES

Katherine Johnson, an American mathematician who worked for NASA, died on February 24th, 2020 at the age of 101. Her work also helped with the success of American spaceflights, especially the moon landing. A Computer Called Katherine is one of my personal favourite books and will certainly become one of yours too! She’s also an important figure in Hidden Figures!

FEBRUARY 25TH — MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

Martin Luther King Jr was an American civil rights activist, and was ordained as a Baptist Minister on February 25th, 1948. He is also known as the most prominent leaders during the civil rights movement. Be a King is a dual narrative picture book that shares the life of Martin Luther King Jr. It also encourages readers to learn from his example and to change the world.

FEBRUARY 26TH — MUHAMMAD ALI

Muhammad Ali, an American boxer, changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali on February 26th, 1964. Also known as the leading heavyweight champion of the 20th century, I Am Muhammad Ali is a picture book biography that explores his life. It’s also part of the Ordinary People Change the World series.

FEBRUARY 27TH — MARIAN ANDERSON BIRTHDAY

Marian Anderson, an American singer was born on February 27th, 1897. When Marian Sang is a picture book biography that explores Marian Anderson’s life. It also looks at her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1937.

FEBRUARY 28TH — PHILLIS WHEATLEY DIES

Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American woman to publish a book, died at the age of 31 in 1784. Phillis’s Big Test shares the life story of Phillis and also talks about the test she had to take to prove she was the author of her poetry.