28 Inspiring Picture Books to Read for Black History Month

February 1st—Langston Hughes’ Birthday:

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

February 2nd—Raven Wilkinson’s 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 her childhood passion for dance to her success as a professional dancer.

February 3rd—Jimi Hendrix Records Purple Haze:

Jimi Hendrix, an American singer and guitarist, recorded 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 and 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 of her life. It’s also part of the Little People, Big Dreams series.

February 5th—Henry Aaron’s Birthday:

Henry Aaron, also known as Hank Aaron, was born on February 5th, 1934. He was an American baseball player known for hitting more than 24 home runs a year. Henry Aaron’s Dream shares the story of Hank and 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 and his younger brother Johnnie, as well as their rise in the world of tennis. It also explains 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 created Black History Week. This week later became Black History Month in 1976. Carter Reads the Newspaper shares Carter’s life story, especially his interest in history and reading. It also explains how he became the father of Black History Month.

February 8th—Oprah Winfrey’s Talk Show

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 much fun and offers an adorable look into Oprah’s life.

February 9th—Alice Walker’s 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 explores how a thread of sweet people runs through the world.

February 10th—Roberta Flack’s 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, written by Roberta, is a sweet picture book that shares her childhood experiences and love of music.

February 11th—Nelson Mandela is Released from Jail:

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

February 12th—NAACP is Created:

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed on February 12th, 1909. It was created to help ensure equal rights and to 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 was 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 Negro League player 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 and kindness with Bob Marley’s famous song, “One Love.”

February 15th—Louis Armstrong’s Hello Dolly Becomes a #1 Record:

“Hello Dolly,” a song by Louis Armstrong, became 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’s 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’s Birthday:

Michael Jordan, widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, was born on February 17th, 1963. Dream Big shares the story of Michael Jordan and his dream of winning an Olympic medal. The author is his mother, Deloris Jordan.

February 18th—Toni Morrison’s 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 and how she became a celebrated American novelist.

February 19th—The Tuskegee Airmen are Initiated into the Armed Forces:

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

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 to the life of Frederick Douglass, who later became known as the father of the abolitionist movement. He also advised Presidents Abraham Lincoln and 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, written by his daughter Ilyasah Shabazz, tells the story of Malcolm X’s childhood.

February 2nd—Horace Pippin’s 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 and his journey to becoming 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 make American spaceflights successful, 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. is Ordained:

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 one of the most prominent leaders of 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—Cassius Clay Becomes Muhammad Ali:

Muhammad Ali, an American boxer, changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali on February 26th, 1964. He is also widely recognized as the 20th century’s leading heavyweight champion. 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’s Birthday:

Marian Anderson, an American singer, was born on February 27th, 1897. When Marian Sang is a picture book biography that explores Anderson’s life and examines 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 tells the story of Phillis and explains the test she had to take to prove she was the author of her poetry.