Books about Black joy for 0-5s

In Small’s world, everything is small – her house, her shoes, her bed – but her dreams are big. Small discovers that when you dream big, anything and everything can happen.

Lenny and Daddy have a great time playing hide and seek! This charming tale, which features a mixed-race family, is ideal to share with toddlers.

With a basket balanced on her head and Baby strapped to her back, Mama embarks on an eventful trip to a West African market. With rhythmic text and an abundance of humour, this delightful book is sure to appeal. 

One by one, family members drop by on a mum and her tot – all wanting to squeeze, kiss and give undivided attention to the baby. An adorable picture book, which is high-spirited, vibrant and fun. 

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.

A first book of positive affirmation designed to boost confidence, enhance self-image and promote resilience and happiness in pre-schoolers.

A lovely slightly fairy tale-inspired tale about a family with two younger siblings and a teenager getting ready for breakfast, featuring the wonderful storytelling and word wizardry of Malorie Blackman and the illustrations of prize-winning Dapo Adeola.

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

Wake up, it’s mummy time! A warm and reassuring picture book about the everyday life of a stay-at-home mother and her two children over the course of a day.

A charming tale about a young boy who wonders where is home. With the help of some animals and wise dragon, he discovers home is never far away. The first children’s book from bestselling author and poet Lemn Sissay, this is a lovely celebration of curiosity and belonging. 

Glorious images of an African village convey the sights, smells and colours of the landscape, its animals and its food in a story told as much through pictures as through words.

A joyful, vibrant romp through a Nigerian village in the company of Lami, the best chicken-catcher in the business. A great book for reading to groups, as well as sharing at home.

A gloriously upbeat lyrical love letter to Black girls all over the world.

The dad in this book is very bearish – he loves honey, chases his little boy around while growling, and naps everywhere. And there’s nothing like a grizzly bear hug from your dad to make you feel safe. A charming picture book celebrating all the bear-like dads out there.

While waiting for her mama to return from work, Mama’s sleeping scarf becomes an object of magic and whimsy in Chino’s imaginative play. 

A young girl wonders what would happen if she showed her book to a real dinosaur. This entertaining tale celebrates the joy of reading and demonstrates how books can fuel the imagination.

On her way home from school, Maya announces that she wants to be a princess when she grows up. Mum encourages her to consider other professions, but Maya won’t change her mind. Though maybe it’s not a fairy tale princess she’s thinking about. A witty story about inspirational black women.

Kamara is strong and fast. But negative words from her friends make her doubt herself. Can she find a way to celebrate her strength? This heart-warming picture book celebrates the many ways to be strong, and to be yourself.  

Softly rhyming text and glowing, illustrations in this calm, gentle book celebrate an apparently insignificant domestic ritual, which means everything to this father and daughter as they make time for each other. 

With the gentle support of her family, Luna begins to believe in herself as a real dancer. This delightful tale shows young children that, with perseverance and determination, they can overcome setbacks and follow their dreams. 

Astrid loves the stars and space, and wants to be an astronaut. A delightful and educational book for young readers interested in space travel, with colourful illustrations, large-print text, fun facts, diverse characters and heartfelt father-daughter interactions. 

It’s MJ’s first day of school and Mum thinks she has what it takes to be the Queen of the Classroom – she needs to brighten up every room she enters, treat others with kindness, and offer a helping hand. Will MJ be able to fulfil her duties?

Aaron is scared of going under the water. But when he finds an octopus stranded on the beach, he must be brave. A gentle story about facing fears, and about ocean conservation. 

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. 

Shiloh’s a princess – she’s supposed to sing, not rap. But she can’t sing at all and has better flow than all the princes of the land put together. A hip-hopping fairy tale about feeling brave to stand out and accept your uniqueness

In this delightful book about books, readers go on an imaginative journey through the amazing worlds of adventure that a good book can inspire – and learn that a book can sometimes be a perfect pet or best friend.