Back in 2018, Denene Milner, children’s book writer and publisher, wrote an opinion piece for the New York Times lamenting the scarcity of children’s books that "celebrate the humanity and everyday experiences of black children and families." 

She has a point. The demand has always been there. And so has the reality of underrepresentation of diverse characters in children’s literature.

During Black History Month, the tendency is to highlight books that cover the struggle and resilience of African Americans in our country, from slavery to civil rights. That is important – these books are necessary and critical for the understanding and recognition of their American experience. But children need more than that. They also need to see themselves in everyday life, see themselves in the pages of the books they read in school, at the library, and at home. They need to see themselves in stories that resemble their own lives.

This February, as we celebrate and honor Black History Month, check out this catalog list of books that do just that: celebrate the everyday experiences of black children and their families.

What are some of your favorites? Let us know in the comments!