10 Back-to-School Children's Books Featuring Black Characters

Head back to school this year with inspiration and encouragement from fabulous children's books!

Whether you're reading them with your kids in the days leading up to school or spending time exploring stories during nightly read alouds after the school year begins, you are sure to love and appreciate this top 10 list of back-to-school children's books with Black main characters.

Lola Goes to School written by Anna McQuinn and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw

​Lola Goes to School follows one of our favorite series characters going to school for the first time. This sweetly-crafted book with beautiful drawings is a must for rising kindergartners going to school for the first time.

Check out this free read aloud on YouTube.

The King of Kindergarten written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

This empowering story will give new kindergartners the confidence and enthusiasm to kick start the new school journey with pride. "The King of Kindergarten" follows a little boy taking on his first day at school, taking in new experiences, and sharing his achievements with his family.

Check out a free read aloud here.

The Queen of Kindergarten written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

The Queen of Kindergarten is an outstanding companion to the award-winning book "The King of Kindergarten". This colorful lyrical children's book features a little girl named MJ and all the special qualities she takes with her to kindergarten, including her friendliness and kindness.

Check out a free read aloud here.

Nana Akua Goes to School​ written by Tricia Elam Walker and illustrated by April Harrison

Nana Akua Goes to School is a moving story that celebrates cultural diversity. This story follows a shy girl who brings her West African grandmother, whose face bears traditional tribal markings, to meet her classmates. This is a perfect back to school book for students of all ages.

Check out a free read aloud here!

The Day You Begin written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López

​The Day You Begin is a poignant and heartening book about finding the courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone. Woodson's warm narration reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes, and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.

Check out a free read aloud on YouTube here!

I Got the School Spirit written by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison

Every child will be excited for the start of school after watching this joyful celebration of the first day! The young protagonist in "I Got the School Spirit" is ready for school now that summer has ended! She can hear the school spirit in the bell ringing in the hallways and the bus heading up the street! She and her friends sing the school song in class!

Check out a free read aloud here!

Henry's going to an HBCU written by Kyle McMurtry and illustrated by Jewel Ham

This engaging and relevant children's book for elementary students highlights and celebrates historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to inspire future scholars.

Check out a free read aloud here.

Layla, the Last Black Unicorn written by Tiffany Haddish and illustrated by Jessica Gibson

Layla, the Last Black Unicorn is about an adventurous Unicorn who is sad that summer is coming to an end. She starts school and meets all the challenges of fitting in. Until her class goes on a trip and she saves the day.

Check out a free read aloud here!

Fresh Princess written by Denene Millner and illustrated by Gladys Jose

​This exuberant story based off of Will Smith’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a confidence-boosting story for elementary students. "Fresh Princess" is about a strong-willed girl who approaches everyday with her own kind of style. Until she moves and has to figure out this new neighborhood that isn’t like her own.

Check out a free read aloud here!

The Noisy Classroom written by Angela Shanté illustrated by Alison Hawkins

​A young 3rd grader is about to start school again and she is worried about going into Ms. Johnson’s class, as it has been considered the “noisy class.” This wonderful book helps to calm the nerves to reevaluate what you think might be a scary situation and see how fun it could be.

Check out a free read aloud here! 

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