Books for Africa Continent Studies and Black History Books

"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.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Amazon links are not affiliate links. You can read my full affiliate disclosure.

What is the African Diaspora?

The African Union defines the African Diaspora as:

"...peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and building of the African Union."

- African Union

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.

At the bottom of the page, you'll find an excellent collection of Anti-Bias Anti-Racist resources for all ages. Be sure to check them out as well.

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 Exosdusters,

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.

• 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.

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 reader, and the stories keep kids engaged as they explore famous Black leaders in history.

Resources for 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 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.

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 a free kid-friendly recipe with pictures to try at home.

Free Jollof Rice With Beans Recipe From Black Food

Grab your free printable recipe cards above for Jollof Rice With Beans, a recipe by Chef JJ Johnson from the Migrations chapter of 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

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.

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.

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 really 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.

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

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

• Afrocentric Montessori
• Montessori Bilingual Spanish-English Books
• HHA on Bookshop.org

Thanks for stopping by!

- Kristin