These Black History Month picture books are perfect additions to your library. And you don’t need to read them just in February.

These books about great leaders in their respective fields can and should be read year-round.

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super Soaking Stream of Inventions

I love finding great non-fiction books and this one is one of my favorites. It’s a narrative non-fiction about Lonnie Johnson who accidentally invented the Super-Soaker. He was trying to figure out how to make a new cooling system for fridges and air conditioners and came up with what is now known as the Super-Soaker.

Counting on Katherine

In Counting on Katherine we learn about Johnson who was instrumental in helping NASA as a mathematician. Without her, NASA’s moon landings may have never happened. Most importantly, the astronauts on board Apollo 13 would not have made it home safely without her expertise.

I Am Jackie Robinson

I love the I Am book series and the one about Jackie Robinson is a great one. Jackie Robinson was the first black player to play in Major League Baseball. The book takes young readers through his story of overcoming the challenges and obstacles of being a black baseball player during the Civil Rights Movement.

Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman

This non-fiction narrative tells about Bessie Coleman who became the first African-American to earn a pilot’s license. She didn’t want a life in the cotton fields and worked hard to learn even though she was face challenging circumstances. 

Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament

If you love potato chips you can thank George Crum for that. He’s said to have invented the snack in response to a demanding customer. This book is a fictional story based off his life. Before inventing the potato chip Crum was a chef and successful restaurant owner. 

My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

My Daddy is written by Dr. King’s son, Martin Luther King III. I love using this book to teach about Dr. King because we get to see him from the perspective of his family. We know Dr. King as a leader in the Civil Rights movement. Martin Luther King, Jr. III does a beautiful job at showing us the other pivotal roles Dr. King had as a man and father.

Serena, The Littlest Sister

In Serena, The Littlest Sister we learn about one of biggest sports icons Serena Williams. We learn what it was like for Serena growing up the youngest of five girls and how she figured out how to pave a way for herself. One of my favorite things about this book are the beautiful and captivating illustrations. 

Salt in His Shoes

This book about the basketball great, Michael Jordan, was written by his mother and sister. We get a real glimpse into Jordan’s life as a child and how he didn’t believe he’d grow tall enough to play basketball. We get an intimate look at how his family helped him have faith in himself and helped him reach his goals.

Through My Eyes

Ruby Bridges was the first Black student to attend an all-white elementary school after segregation was outlawed. She had to endure screaming segregationists daily just to attend school. Bridges herself wrote this book and she takes us through her journey, every step of the way.

The Highest Tribute

Thurgood Marshall helped fight for equality in the Civil Rights Movement and became the first Black justice on the Supreme Court. In this book, we learn how Marshall knew from a very young age that things weren’t right. And even from the time he was in second grade, he knew he had to fight to make a change. 

Do you have any black history month picture books I should check out? Comment below and let me know!

Check out my blog post about Hispanic Heritage Month picture books HERE.