FAVORITE #BLACKGIRLMAGIC KIDS BOOKS
My goal with my kid book series, like my "Favorite Kids Books for Inclusion," is to share books that embrace differences, from ethnicities to abilities, and more. This installment is all about BlackGirlMagic, because we need our girls to know they are valued, love, influential, and have so much to give to the world. All of the books listed are either written by black authors or highlight black girls as the lead character and books that I own.
I remember as a kid, thinking I was too dark to be seen as pretty or wanted to get a perm because my hair was too nappy. I don't recall reading books that touched on these topics or that spoke to me. The books had great messages, but the characters didn't look like me outside of my American Girl Doll book collection on Addy. Let's be clear; Addy was a slave, so you can imagine the stories I was reading. The series spoke about black history and slavery but not current issues and insecurities I was dealing with as a young girl.
The books I selected touch on critical messages such as owning your hair, loving the skin you are in, highlight black women who've done great things, preach self-love, and more. These books can be great for parents to have those tough talks when your child is being bullied about their skin or hair. It's also great for non- black kids to become more compassionate and understand what black girls go through so your kids can, too, be allies. All books are linked! Enjoy and let me know if you have other suggestions in the comments!
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong' o
Message: Sulwe is a young girl who is the darkest in her family and struggles with being darker than friends in her school, her sister, and more. The story relates so well to my life; I too was the darkest in my family. Just like in this story, my mom, who is light-skinned, always reminded me that skin is beautiful and to love myself. The way Sulwe learns to love her skin is so heartwarming. This is a favorite of mine! The illustrations are stunning.
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
Message- This is an essential book for everyone, to teach you about loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another. The book is straight to the point, not filled with tons of text but sprinkled with strong messages throughout that will resonate with all kids. A young black girl is the spotlight character and shows her friends from all backgrounds and abilities. The book starts with “Like the sun, I’m here to shine” I mean don’t we want all our kids to shine bright.
Skin Like Mine by LaTashia M. Perry
Message-This book is a fun and easy read that is great for an elementary school-age child dealing with owning their uniqueness and their Skin. I love how it takes a young black girl's family and goes through describing all her family members' skin tone and relating them to anything from Carmel to chocolate. I can relate to this story so much since my family is an array of shades of black. Here is a line that sums up the book, “Skin like mine is quite divine. I’d say it’s one of a kind. I wouldn’t trade for any other shade. I love my brown skin; oh, where do I begin?”.
Hair Like Mine by LaTashia M. Perry
Message- The same author writes this book as Skin Like Mine. Another important topic for us black girls, our hair! Hair Like Mine is a fun and easy read following a little girl who doesn't like that her naturally curly hair looks different from the other kids around her. On her quest to find someone with hair like hers, she soon realizes we are all unique and special in our own way. One of the lines I enjoy is when the young girl's mom says, "I know it's hard to understand now, but just wait, you'll see, how amazing being different can be. There is no one in the world, quite like you."
I AM…Positive Affirmations for Brown Girls by Ayesha Rodriguez
Message: This is a fantastic book all about building self-esteem. Throughout the book, it focuses on positive mantras that your daughter should repeat to herself daily. I feel like I didn’t start saying some of these affirmations until I was in my 20’s. My favorite one is “ I AM POWERFUL” -There are no limits to what I can achieve. I can do anything; I just have to believe. So powerful, right? As your child gets older, you will find activities for your child to participate in at the back of the book, such as discussion questions and open spaces to write additional affirmations.
Hair Love by Matthew Cherry
Message-This book not only highlights a young black girl but her dad as well. So many of the books include the moms, but this story of her dad being so involved with her hair just warms my heart. I also love it because I can see my husband in this story, trying to comb Caliyah’s hair when she grows up. This book also has a short film that blew up and won an Oscar!
When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner
Message- This is a favorite of mine! For those who are religious, this is a great way to introduce God and how he created us all to be unique. This book talks about our skin color, head shape, personality, and more. I read this to my daughter in the womb, and when she was born with facial differences, it spoke to me even louder than before. Here is a line that warms my heart “Cause when God made you, somehow God knew that the world needed someone exactly like you.
Parker Looks Up by Jessica Parker
Message-Some of you might remember this story all over the news. Young Parker is mesmerized by the portrait of Michelle Obama in the DC Portrait Gallery. I love how it showcases the former First Lady, and how important it is for our young girls to see a trailblazing black woman.
Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy
Message- A child reflects on the meaning of being black in this moving and powerful anthem about the black community, our culture, our history, and our legacy that lives on. I love how colorful and bold the illustrations are on each page. One of the lines that stuck out to me “ Black is a color, Black is a culture” Black is history, Black is family, Black is love that lives inside of me. At the end of the book, it’s filled with a playlist of songs from Nina Simone to John Legend as well as poems.
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes
Message- This is a sweet bedtime book for infants and toddlers. It covers a topic that most of us are dealing with when it comes to our little ones and great for early exposure. The colorful pages are highlighting a young black girl who is just not ready for bedtime. Her parents do all they can to get her to bed, so many of us parents can relate! I love books that not only highlight kids of color but are written and illustrated by women of color.
