Black History Books and Books for Africa Continent Studies

"Reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible."

- Barack Obama 

Would you like to learn and teach with books that connect the past to the present? Do you want to provide a greater understanding for young learners about the world we live in and how we got here? Then you're going to love these resources for exploring the African diaspora.

By exploring books for Africa, migrations, slavery, and Black history together with Black experiences and Black leaders of today, you're creating meaningful connections for learners where they would otherwise experience silos of information that are disjointed or unclear.

We have books for Africa continent studies that explore African biomes, wildlife, and culture, books by Black authors, books about Black leaders, and more.

Want to learn about white abolitionists? You're in the right place. We have resources for that as well.

Whether you're looking for books about Africa, Black history books, or books to learn about Black leaders of today, this collection has something for everyone.

if you like this, you'll love these curriculum resources and this homeschool space.

Jump to:

• Books for Africa Continent Studies & Black History
• Mac and Cheese
• Free Drop Biscuits Recipe
• In Summary
• Food from Around the World: Free Cooking Lessons
• More Resources
• Books for Africa Continent Studies & Black History

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Books for Africa Continent Studies & Black History

While we're focusing mostly on books for learning about Africa and North America, you'll find that some of these books contain additional information for exploring the African diaspora and migrations.

Feel free to browse this collection of Black history books on Bookshop.

At the bottom of the page, you'll also find an excellent collection of Anti-Bias Anti-Racist resources for all ages.

Picture Books for Africa and Black History

• The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

Born on the Water pairs well with The 1619 Project resource for parents and educators.

This story starts with a student who is given an assignment in school to explore her roots. The story unfolds as her grandmother shares the origin story of Black Americans.

The illustrations draw you in as you read the lyrical text from one page to the next.

• I Am Ruby Bridges

Looking for picture books that explore civil rights issues? This beautifully-illustrated book by Ruby Bridges and illustrator Nikkolas Smith introduces kids to Brown v. Board of Education and the desegregation of schools.

This book provides unique insight as the story is told from Ruby Bridge's point of view as a child.

Just want to mention that both I Am Ruby Bridges and Born on the Water are illustrated by Nikkolas Smith. Our kids enjoy his art and I think he's definitely an illustrator to follow.

• Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

"Once upon a time in Tulsa,

there was a community called Greenwood.

Its residents descended from Black Indians,

from formerly enslaved people, and from Exodusters,

who moved West in the late 1800s fleeing

the violence and racism of the segregated South."

- Carole Boston Weatherford

Unspeakable tells the true story of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. It is illustrated by the late Floyd Cooper of both Muscogee and Black heritage, whose grandfather was a survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Read more about Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre over at American Indians in Children's Literature.

If you like this book, you'll want to check out these books by Native American and First Nations authors.

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind tells the true story of William Kamkwamba, a young Malawian inventor whose curiosity, determination, and love of books helped him bring much-needed change to his community.

Our oldest was so inspired by William and his book that she decided to write him a letter to tell him how much she liked it. We weren't able to track down a current address to send it to, but that didn't stop her from writing several more.

She felt connected to William's story and I think when our child wants to reach out like that to an author, it lets us know that she is engaging in meaningful learning experiences.

• Only the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe

Are your kids interested in textiles or fashion? Only the Best tells the story of the talented Ann Lowe, the first nationally-known Black fashion designer, and designer of the bride and bridesmaids' gowns for the wedding of Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier.

Learn about Ann Lowe's talent, creativity, and resilience as you explore this dazzling story.

• Jerry Changed the Game!

For the gamer in your life, check out Jerry Changed the Game!: How Engineer Jerry Lawson Revolutionized Video Games Forever by Don Tate and illustrated by Cherise Harris.

• Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book

If you haven't heard of the Negro Motorist Green Book, stop what you're doing and get this book for you and your kids.

Victor Hugo Green was an American postal service employee who sought to alleviate the struggles that Black Americans faced while traveling during the Jim Crow Era.

Looking for an activity to extend the learning from Tonya Bolden and Eric Velasquez's Going Places?

Free Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake Shoebox Lunch Recipe

Grab your free printable recipe cards above for making Jocelyn's Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake, a recipe by Jocelyn Delk Adams from the Spirituality chapter of Black Food by Bryant Terry.

Kids can explore Going Places and learn more about the shoebox lunch prior to making Jocelyn's delicious pound cake.

• My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What better way for kids to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. than from one of his children, in this case, Martin Luther King III. This is a beautifully illustrated picture book.

• There Was a Party for Langston

There Was a Party for Langston has a cheerful, fun vibe that celebrates Langston Hughes, a poet, playwright, and iconic figure of the Harlem Renaissance.

This picture book will put you in a good mood. Share it with your friends and loved ones.

• Everywhere Beauty is Harlem

"Roy DeCarava loved Harlem - its people, places, & different moods - and that love shows in his photos. If Roy had a message for us, it might be: Look around at what you love where you live."

Learn more about Roy and even see the camera he used to take photos.

• Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging

In this heartwarming story, Kofi and his Nanabarima, grandfather, bond over their family history and culture while tackling a school assignment.

• Chef Edna: Queen of Southern Cooking, Edna Lewis

Pair this picture book with the recipes from The Taste of Country Cooking or In Pursuit of Flavor to extend the learning.

Chapter Books for Africa and Black History

• She Persisted: Wangari Maathai
• She Persisted: Harriet Tubman

These chapter books are just the right length for our lower elementary readers, and the stories keep kids engaged as they explore famous Black leaders in history.

• Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers

Read the true story of Cudjo Lewis, as told to iconic author Zora Neale Hurston. This book is an adaptation of the original, Barracoon, and it includes additional background for young readers.

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

More experienced readers will enjoy this Young Readers Edition of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Perfect for upper elementary.

Graphic Novel

• Stamped From the Beginning: A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America

This graphic history is an adaptation of Stamped From the Beginning and once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down.

If you're looking for an American history and Black history resource that educates, entertains, and inspires, this book is a hit!

Resources for Teens, Parents, & Educators

• The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story

"The story of Black America cannot be disentangled from the story of America, and our attempts to do so have forced us to tell ourselves a tale full of absences, evasions, and lies, one that fails to satisfactorily explain the society we live in and leaves us unable to become the society we want to be."

- Nikole Hannah-Jones

The 1619 Project includes 19 essays as well as 36 poems and fictional works. Together, they explore how the effects of slavery are woven into every facet of modern life.

This book is the companion to Born on the Water and together they offer learning opportunities for the whole family.

• The Black Book

Don't be surprised if you have a hard time putting The Black Book down. The story of Black America told through media, advertising, photographs, and more will help you explore the past in a more concrete or tangible way.

When I read through The Black Book, I feel like I am transported in time. And with everything there is to discover within its pages, I find that I am shocked, moved, saddened, and inspired each time I pick it up.

• Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong

This book is full of information that will help educators analyze narratives found or omitted from popular history textbooks and develop a deeper understanding of the issues educators face when teaching American history.

I found the section about abolitionist John Brown and the changing of the narrative surrounding his life and activism over time very enlightening.

Find more teaching resources in this Teaching Hard History framework for teaching American slavery in K-5th elementary environments.

• Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class

Black Folk tells the history of the Black working class in the U.S. It covers a 200-year period and shares the personal and family stories of the author as it explores the many essential roles Black workers have taken on during times of segregation and migration.

"Black folk is also a human exploration of Black working people, one that seeks to recall and recreate the pathways they followed. Given that the majority of Black working people are, or are descendants of the Black working class, one book can never capture all of what Black working people have endured, or all the jobs they have done; the stories are too numerous, the labor too diverse. Instead Black Folk attempts to capture the character of the lives of Black workers, seeing them not just as laborers, or members of a class, or activists, but as people whose daily experiences mattered - to themselves, to their communities, and to the nation at large, even as it denied their importance."

- Blair LM Kelley

There are plenty of photos and other opportunities to include all ages in the learning while reading Black Folk.

• The Sisterhood: How a Network of Black Women Writers Changed American Culture

"One Sunday afternoon in February 1977, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Ntozake Shange, and several other Black women writers met at June Jordan's Brooklyn apartment to eat gumbo, drink champagne, and talk about their work. Calling themselves "The Sisterhood," the group--which also came to include Audre Lorde, Paule Marshall, Margo Jefferson, and others--would get together once a month over the next two years, creating a vital space for Black women to discuss literature and liberation."

• The Autobiography of Malcolm X

I've been hearing people talk about this book for years and I'm just now reading it. Don't be like me. Read The Autobiography of Malcolm X as soon as you can.

Black Food, Black History, and Black Culture

• Black Food Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora

This cookbook by Bryant Terry is so much more than a book of recipes. There's plenty of history, poetry, and art to keep you coming back for more.

Learn more about Bryant Terry.

This Africa continent art is from Black Food. The photo was taken by David Schmitz. There's also a playlist for each chapter! Engage all your senses while exploring Black food and culture with this creative cookbook.

We like it so much that we made you free kid-friendly recipes with pictures to try at home.

Free Recipes From Black Food

Kids can gather ingredients using the ingredient list, gather their equipment with the tools list, and prepare the meal using the step-by-step recipe cards, with assistance as needed. The cards are easy to use, include pictures, and encourage confidence and independence in the kitchen.

• Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro - Asian - American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day

Free Recipes from Between Harlem and Heaven

Interested in an Afro - Asian - American flavor profile? Between Harlem and Heaven features over 100 recipes that will make you a better, more flexible home cook.

Mix it up like a DJ! See how we create a unique gumbo dish to enjoy at home with Between Harlem and Heaven.

• The Simple Art of Rice: Recipes from Around the World for the Heart of Your Table

Free Recipe from The Simple Art of Rice

Explore the history of rice and Black history with The Simple Art of Rice.

• Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew

Free Recipe From Koshersoul for Kala: Black-Eyed Pea Puffs

Want to dive into African and Jewish Diasporas while making a tasty snack? Take your time and bond with the kids over kala, black-eyed pea puffs.

Explore Black History Books With Still We Rise Cookbook

• Still We Rise: A Love Letter to the Southern Biscuit With Over 70 Sweet and Savory Recipes by Erika Council, Chef/Owner of Bomb Biscuit Co. in Atlanta.

Erika Council is the granddaughter of Mildred "Mama Dip" Council, (if you've heard of Mama Dip's Kitchen in Chapel Hill, NC you already know what's up) as well as a teacher and activist who cooked to raise money to support the Civil Rights Movement.

This cookbook will help you unleash the creativity in your kitchen w/ recipes like Everything "Bagel" Biscuits & Biscuit Bread Pudding with Whiskey Cream Sauce.

There's plenty of history to take in as you experiment with the recipes, some inspired by Black culinary icons. You'll also find process shots of many of the recipes and helpful tips, taking the guesswork out of your experiences.

This cookbook will leave you wanting biscuits for every meal.

Free Recipes from Still We Rise

These sweet potato benne seed biscuits are made with ultra-smooth, creamy fine cloth-bolted pastry flour and they're so delicious, they're history.

These easy deep-fried drop biscuits are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Coat them in cinnamon and something sweet.

More Black History Cookbooks to Explore

• The Taste of Country Cooking

• In Pursuit of Flavor

• Everyday Grand

• Things My Grandma Told Me Things My Grandma Showed Me

When I discovered Mia X as a teen, I immediately admired her rap skills. I was in awe. To now discover her talents in the kitchen as a mom & cook myself: priceless. This cookbook memoir comes with highs, lows, and many laugh-out-loud moments.

It was a gift to be able to enjoy a few of Mia X's dishes over the holidays.

• Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking

• Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs and Juice

Looking for a beverage with a story? Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs and Juice takes "a closer look at the long story of African American mixology traditions, innovations, and craftsmanship" with drinks zero proof & up.

• For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food

• The African-American Heritage Cookbook: Traditional Recipes and Fond Remembrances from Alabama's Renowned Tuskegee Institute

• My Everyday Lagos: Nigerian Cooking at Home and in the Diaspora

• Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts

• Code Noir: Afro-Caribbean Stories and Recipes

Black Authors are Black Leaders

• A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars
• The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, & Dreams Deferred

Looking for books about Black leaders in science, astronomy, and physics? A Quantum Life and The Disordered Cosmos are inspiring reads for anyone interested in exploring the universe and what is possible.

• The Black Yearbook

Black college students across the country, attending PWI's, HBCUs, & Trade Schools/Community Colleges, share their experiences in Adraint Bereal's The Black Yearbook.

Read what they have to say.

• Hair Love

Hair Love is a sweet story about Zuri and her father working together to style Zuri's hair for a special occasion. It celebrates the bond between fathers and daughters, with the help of Vashti Harrison's lovely illustrations.

• My Block Looks Like

What a fun read! My Block Looks Like has the style and flair that let you know you're one of the cool kids. Or at least you're hanging out with one while you read it. Take a stroll through the Bronx while exploring themes such as music, art, and dance.

• Chronicles of the Juice Man: A Memoir

I thoroughly enjoyed Juicy J's memoir: Chronicles of the Juice Man. As a mom/educator, I'm inspired by his story & the standout traits that are repeatedly demonstrated: hard work, determination, self-awareness, & the ability to adapt.

• The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are

There's some serious wisdom to be gleaned from The Upcycled Self. I should've known from the title. I started reading it at my kid's basketball practice. It was immediately apparent to me that I wanted to continue in a more private venue so I could give it my full attention.

Trust me, you want this memoir by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter. Have you heard his infamous freestyle:

• Hip-Hop (And Other Things)

Casual and cool, Hip-Hop (And Other Things) has the wit, the illustrations, and the insight to keep you wrapped up in it. However, if you gotta put it down, you can pick back up where you left off or start wherever you're curious.

Hip-Hop (And Other Things) is a unique and entertaining read, whether rap's in your blood or you're more of a part-time listener.

This is the third book of a series, with the first two being about basketball and movies.

• Nubia: The Awakening
• Nubia: The Reckoning

This fantasy duo is from actor/producer Omar Epps and writer Clarence A. Haynes. I would've loved reading these as a kid and I hope they ignite your passion for fantasy stories.

• Don't Let Them Bury My Story

Learn more about the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 from the oldest living survivor, Viola Ford Fletcher. For younger audiences or family-style learning, check out Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre as well.

• Worthy

Worthy is in my TBR pile, but I've explored the quotes and writing prompts contained in its pages, as well as tuning in to some interviews of Jada during her press tour for the book.

You don't need me to tell you it's good. Looking forward to reading it.

Waseca Biomes Africa Readers

These Africa Continent Readers from Waseca Biomes are amazing kids' books for Africa continent studies.  They're absolutely gorgeous and we love that they help tie our subjects together in an interdisciplinary approach.

The colors correlate with the reading level and it's a seamless pairing with the Waseca Biomes Reading Program.

Get a $15 coupon towards your first Waseca Biomes purchase.

Waseca Biomes Africa Portfolio

We are just starting to incorporate these cool continent portfolios from Waseca Biomes, like the Africa Portfolio pictured above, into our continent studies. They have all kinds of neat activities in them and are meant to be used in addition to the hands-on Waseca materials.

Embark on an adventure with a native guide and study the biomes and peoples of each continent as a scientist would. Better yet, if your child refers to themselves as a scientist, this is for them.

These are probably best for elementary ages but there are some Art and other opportunities that are applicable to a broader range of ages. We love that Waseca Biomes naturally ties several subjects together in all their materials, making it easy for homeschoolers to cover a broad range of topics.

Get a $15 coupon towards your first Waseca Biomes purchase.

Human History & Migration

• Sapiens: A Graphic History: The Birth of Humankind
• Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 2: The Pillars of Civilization

Looking for a fun and often amusing account of human history and civilization that kids and adults will enjoy? Look no further than Sapiens: A Graphic History Volumes I & II. Explore human history in a story format with gorgeous full-color illustrations taking center stage throughout. 

• Unstoppable Us: How Humans Took Over the World, Volume 1

Unstoppable Us, also by Yuval Noah Harari, tells the story of human history chapter book-style. This new release is the first volume of its kind, complete with maps, illustrations, and a timeline to engage young readers.

• You Are My Pride

You Are My Pride celebrates the shared history of humans. The illustrations amplify themes of love and connectedness.

• Why We Live Where We Live

Books for Africa & Other Continents

• Historium

Our kids enjoy looking at the illustrations in this large book of artifacts. We find it especially helpful for exploring the great lessons.

• The Women Who Make History Collection

The Women Who Make History Collections will introduce you to 150 fearless women of the past and present. The illustrations excite readers as they learn about women changemakers and innovators.

• Encyclopedia of World History 

• Timelines of Everything

Timelines of Everything is an excellent resource for diving into history. This visual encyclopedia is packed with over 130 timelines. We also enjoy this book when exploring the great lessons.

• Human World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Human History - This visual history uses charts to navigate your favorite topics.

• Natural World:  A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature - Another very cool book of charts
• Cabinet of Curiosities - Learn how to collect, classify, and/or celebrate nature
• Wild Animals of the South - Captivating illustrations, very attractive right off the shelf and every page is something new and exciting
• Mountains of the World - All-around awesome book that weaves in various aspects of mountain life with facts about our world's mountains
• Under the Canopy:  Trees Around the World - Great addition to Geography and nature studies
• A Life Like Mine:  How Children Live Around the World - Great selection for Geography & Cultural Studies

• Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide

Gastro Obscura is an awesome resource for exploring food, history, and culture across the globe.

Our Geography curriculum, including our continent resources for the elementary years, is in our Montessori Elementary Curriculum Resources.

We've been exploring history and timelines through Montessori's Great Lessons and you'll find more excellent history resources in those. Studying the continents is another great opportunity to dive into history, culture, migrations, and more.

Atlases

• Atlas of Ocean Adventures
• Maps
• Atlas of Animal Adventures

These are our favorite atlases and are useful for all our Geography and Cultural studies.  We like to sit around them on the floor and really enjoy the illustrations. These are all great conversation starters.

Anti-Bias Anti-Racist Resources

• Don't Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms
• What If All the Kids Are White?
• Different Differenter: An Activity Book About Skin Color

• Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide
• This Book is Anti-Racist

• Skin Again
• Change Sings
• All the Colors We Are

Combine your books with the Civil Rights Movement Bundle to create engaging shelf work.

• That Flag

The story of Keira and Bianca is powerful, and it sheds light on a topic that affects so many who have grown up around the Confederate flag. Read it alongside civil rights activities.

• The Artivist

The Artivist, authored and illustrated by Nikkolas Smith, sees the powers of art and activism combine to form the artivist, someone urged to change the world, one painting at a time.

The Artivist is a captivating read to be enjoyed by all ages.

Download the teacher's guide.

• Antiracist Baby

It's never too early to start the journey of antiracism. Babies and up can learn how to be antiracist together with Antiracist Baby.

In Summary

As you can see, there are incredible books for kids and adults to consider when learning about Africa, Black history, and American history. When teaching these topics in a way that highlights their connectivity, learners receive a more complete picture of the past and present.

More Resources

• Black Montessori Education Fund
• Afrocentric Montessori
• Montessori Bilingual Spanish-English Books

Thanks for stopping by!

- Kristin