Black Lives Matter

A baby is born to loving parents, but as she grows up it’s hard for her to find books to read containing girls that look like her. Sometimes, as she gets older, she encounters racism, and life can be very hard. Yet, she is reminded that she stands on the shoulders of the great black community that has come before her – and that she has the power to be anything and anyone she wants to be.

This wonderfully empowering picture book for little ones not only assuages their possible fears about starting school or nursery but models a celebratory approach to the big day with an upbeat story about being confident.

This joyful celebration of black hair demonstrates a range of styles and will inspire children to experiment with their own look.

Sulwe is anxious: why is her skin so dark, and why is she bullied? But a visit from a star reassures her that she is beautiful exactly as she is. This gorgeous book demonstrates the gloriously diverse spectrum of colour within ​“blackness”.

Kechi’s Mum knows lots of different ways to style her big beautiful curly hair. But when it’s Kechi’s Daddy who has to take her to school, we see him trying, and failing, to do her hair just like Mummy does. Fun and hilarity follows… 

Rocket loves visiting her Grammy and Grampy in the Caribbean, especially splashing in the waves with her cool surfing Grammy – but when Rocket finds a baby turtle washed up on the shore, tangled in plastic, she decides something must be done. It’s time to clean up!

Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola’s charming picture book gifts us with a gorgeous character in Rocket, a girl whose passion for all things space is as inspiring to the reader as her heroine Mae Jemison is to her. 

The little boy depicted in this gorgeous book is a ball of energy; a gentleman and a scholar; a hilarious friend and a good brother. But, sometimes, he is afraid of the world around him. A stunning visual poem dedicated to supporting and loving black boys.

A poem of a mother’s love in the age of the Black Lives Matter movement, stunningly illustrated by Bryan Collier, this book seeks to remind children that regardless of their background, they are important and valued.

An illustrated poem filled with stunning painted portraits, written to commemorate the birth of Alexander’s daughter and the inauguration of Barack Obama in 2008, The Undefeated remembers unforgettable, unafraid and unbowed, famous and overlooked figures from black history. While this is a book that would be best read with an adult who can give context to a young reader, it is ultimately a book about survival and remembrance.

This beautiful and profound book chronicles the struggles and achievements of historic and contemporary black women. Not just for girls, this is an inspiring book for any child as it shows how determination, ambition and hard work can bring important change.

This wonderful celebration of a wide range of LGBTQ+ heroes – both famous and less well-known – is a beautiful book and highlights the lives of some truly inspirational people.

This beautifully illustrated introduction to Michelle Obama’s inspiring life is a must for anyone with a dream, and a reminder that with hard work and focus, everything is possible.

This beautiful and eye-catching hardback celebrates a selection of black icons from history and the present day to inspire all children to discover what they can achieve. 

In Michela’s world, aggression is forbidden – but sometimes fighting is the only way to keep the peace. This is a well-paced and interesting story, designed to appeal to reluctant or hesitant readers, as well as dyslexia-friendly.

This attractively designed, engaging book is a fabulous primer probably for kids aged 10+ around understanding what racism is, both on a personal and structural level. 

England footballer Marcus Rashford shares tips and advice that he’s learned on his journey from being a football-mad kid in Manchester to a sports megastar and political activist, as well as how to handle issues of confidence and anxiety.

A funny, thought-provoking collection of poems for older children from Britain’s best-loved rap poet, Benjamin Zephaniah, which cover a diverse and sometimes difficult range of topics but are full of fun and imagination. 

High-Rise Mystery is the perfect ​‘whodunnit’. As the two girls sift through red herrings and reveal a series of tower block secrets, short snappy sentences and sparkling dialogue will keep readers turning the pages. A mystery as hot as the summer heatwave in which it’s set!

This is the story of Leonard, who travels with his mother from Jamaica to England after the Second World War. Benjamin Zephaniah shares his story right up to 2018 and the Windrush scandal – when Leonard, as an old man, is denied citizenship in the country he has lived in his entire life. 

Accessible, informative and insightful, this guide to recognising and speaking up about racism would be useful for stimulating discussions in schools.

Inspired by the tragic true story of the youngest American ever to be executed, this ambitious novel weaves together family drama with an unflinching look at racism and prejudice in 1940s South Carolina.

An essential and fascinating book which follows black history across many centuries to today’s contemporary world.

An accessible, compelling and inspiring biography of Katherine Johnson: a brilliant, black, female mathematician who helped make NASA’s space programme and moon landing possible.

One day, Scoob’s Grandma turns up at his house and invites him on a road trip – retracing the steps of a trip she took with his late grandpa. This is a satisfying, timeless read about a family’s history which intersects with the American civil rights movement, and reminds readers of the impact of racism and intolerance.

Three years ago Ghost’s dad chased him and his mum down the road with a gun. His dad got ten years in prison, and Ghost learned how to run. Ghost has never thought of athletics as a sporting option – basketball is his thing. But now, after challenging a sprinter to a race at the local track, he’s won himself a place on an elite running team.

Callum is a Nought but his best friend Sephy is a Cross – the daughter of one of the most influential politicians in the country.

This story is inspired by a real life rebellion in British-owned slave plantations in Jamaica in 1760. Moa has spent his entire life on the slave plantation in horrific conditions – but a charismatic leader offers the chance to seize freedom.