Boys

Kelly Cunnane (A) and Ana Juan (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Kenya / Child’s Responsibility / Family – 2006)

Imagine you live in a small Kenyan village, where the sun rises over tall trees filled with doves. You wake to the sound of a rooster’s crow, instead of an alarm clock and…

Matt de a Pena (A) and Kadir Nelson (Ilt) 

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Biography / Sports Boxing – 2013)

Chris Barton (A) and Don Tate (ILT) 

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Biography / Inventor –  2016)

You know the Super Soaker. It’s one of top twenty toys of all time. And it was invented entirely by accident. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, impressive inventor Lonnie…

Eric Velasquez(A & ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Tall Fish Tale – 2021

The octopus Grandma is cooking has grown to titanic proportions. “¡Tenga cuidado!” Ramsey shouts. “Be careful!” But it’s too late. The octopus traps Grandma! Ramsey must use both art and intellect to free his beloved abuela.

Then…

Beautiful Black and Brown boys are the stars in this level 1 Step Into Reading book from the Happy Hair series. It’s a bright, joyful easy reader that will have boys everywhere saying “I am born to be awesome!”

Kids will love seeing strong, happy reflections of themselves in this vibrant, rhyming, level 1 reader…

An intergenerational story about a nonbinary child who learns the tradition of well digging in this picture book about community, hope, and protecting the Earth’s water.

As soon as Kit’s old enough to ride in Grandpa’s truck, they begin joining him to dig wells for their community. Grandpa is magic. He can feel the weather…

Tolowa M. Mollel (A) and E. B. Lewis (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Tanzania / Thoughtful Child – 1999)

“I emptied my secret money box, arranged the coins in piles and the piles in rows . . .” The market is full of wonderful things, but Saruni is saving his precious coins…

Angela Johnson (A) and David Soman (ILT)

List Price: $7.99 (Paperback – Grandfather and Grandson / Generations / Love – 2007)

A small child imagines a future when he will be old with his Grandaddy. . . . The African-American child and grandfather are distinct individuals, yet also universal figures, recognizable to anyone who…

Lora McClain-Muhammad (A) and Asia Lewis Ross (ILT) 

List Price: $10.00  (Paperback – Activity Book for Black Boys – 2019)

The much anticipated coloring book filled with all things about a Young Kings Greatness from A-Z! It was created after the overwhelming success of the girls coloring book, I Need You to Know The ABC’s…

A 2023 Kirkus Prize Finalist! 

“Black family pride and joy abound.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Joy-filled.”—Booklist, starred review 

A joyful, encouraging ode to a mother and son’s relationship and the unforgettable experience of a child’s first swimming lessons.

Jumping into the water can be more than…

Eve Bunting (A) and James Ransome (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Gang Situation / Brothers / Peer Pressure – 1998)

When ten-year-old James gang initiation endangers his six-year-old brother Isaac, they find the courage to say, Thanks, but no thanks. One night while their mom’s at work, ten-year-old James…

Chris Paul (A) and Courtney Lovett (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover –  Basketball and Grandpa – 2023)

From NBA All-Star Chris Paul comes an inspirational and uplifting picture book about chasing your basketball dreams and the lessons he learned both on and off the court from his beloved grandfather Papa Chilly.

Growing up, young…

Derrick Barnes (A) and Gordon C. James (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Young Black Male Empowerment – 2020)

An upbeat, empowering, important picture book from the team that created the award-winning Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

I am
a nonstop ball of energy.
Powerful and full…

Heather Henson (A) and Bryan Collier ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Legendary Cave Explorer and Slave -2016)

Grab your lantern and follow the remarkable and world-famous Mammoth Cave explorer—and slave—Stephen Bishop as he guides you through the world’s largest cave system in this remarkable homage to the resilience of human nature.

Welcome…

Wade Hudson (A) and George Ford (ILT)

List Price: $9.95 (Paperback – Family / Attending School – 1991)

Jamal is a happy youngster who knows just how important his school day is. It is just as important as his mother and father work day. Jamal…

Lesa Cline-Ransome (A) and James E. Ransome (ILT)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Biography / Sport / Baseball – 2005)

This book examines the life of the legendary baseball player, who was the first African-American to pitch in a Major League World Series. Some say Leroy Paige was born six…

Vashti Harrison (A and ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Leaders and Achievers – 2019)

New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Vashti Harrison shines a bold, joyous light on black men through history.

Daniel Beaty (A) Bryan Collier (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – A Son Dreams and Remembers His Father – 2013)

Every morning, I play a game with my father  He goes knock knock on my door and I pretend to be asleep till he gets right next to the bed.   And my papa,…

Based on the empowering and beloved viral video rap by six-year-old Sam White and his dad, Bobby, as seen on The Ellen Show and more, comes a book about the many careers kids can aspire to, from A to Z!

You can be an A–an architect, a B–a biochemist,…

Peter Golenbock (A) and Paul Lee (A) and (ILT)

List Price: $7.99 (Paperback – Biography / Sports / Baseball – 2005)

This is a true story about one of baseballs most heroic superstars who is best known for beating Babe Ruth’s record. Later he was admitted into Baseballs elite…

Martin Luther King III (A) and AG Ford (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Biography / Son Remembers Father – 2013)

What was it like growing up as a son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? This picture book memoir, My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King III, provides…

Jeron Ashford Frame (A) and R. Gregory Christie (ILT)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Social Situation / Family / Feelings and Emotions / Colors – 2007)

A young boy ponders a variety of emotions and expresses how different members of his family experience them, from his own blues to…

Tiki Barber (A) and Ronde Barber (A) and Barry Root (Ilt)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Sports – Football – 2004)

Based on the childhood of NFL superstar twins Tiki and Ronde Barber both spokes people for Verizon Reads, a national program to promote literacy – this inspiring story, written along…

These joyous portraits of Black men engaged in everyday life celebrate the deep roots and rich cultures of African American communities.

YOU are your ancestors’ wildest dreams. How will you express YOUR greatness? Perfect for fans of I Am Every Good Thing, Little Legends, and All Because You Matter.

“Affirming. . . . A joyful tribute.” —<span…

Phil Bildner (A) and John Holyfield (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – African American History/Aviation – 2010)

The extraordinary story of James Banning, the first African-American pilot to fly across country

During the Great Depression, the ace black pilot James Banning decided to fly from coast to coast to serve as an…

Thomisha Booker (A)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Positive / Self Affirming – 2018)

Brown Boy Joy is a necessity in every classroom!
This book sparks conversations about diversity.

This book is filled with all the things little brown boys LOVE. From dinosaurs to gardening there are no limits to what little brown boys…

Dr. Winmilawe (A) and Tewodross Merchishua (ILT)

List Price: $11.99 (Paperback – Yoruba / Father and Son – 2012)

Shango’s Son is a short story based on ancient African knowledge (Yoruba Ifa). Shango has a son who becomes his companion and protector. The son has amazing abilities that help Shango succeed. The…

Deloris Jordan (A) and Barry Root (ILT)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Sports / Basketball – 2014)

Olympic dreams come true in this inspiring picture book from Michael Jordan’s mother, author of the New York Times bestselling Salt in His Shoes.

Long before he became a professional All-Star basketball player, Michael Jordan had dreams of winning an…

Little Black Boy, Oh the things you will do.
Has anyone mentioned the world’s open to you?

A little Black boy finds the courage to go after his dreams in this empowering and inspirational picture book by actress Kirby Howell-Baptiste (The Sandman) with actor Larry Fields.

With vivid,…

Celebrate Remarkable Moments in Black History with this Uplifting Story

Inspire Black boys to imagine all the great things they can do while celebrating remarkable moments from Black history!

Dear boy, Black boy, I believe in you so.

Let’s start your story—ready, set, go.

From athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick to…

“This installment in the Geisel-winning Ty’s Travels series adds some much-needed diversity to the beginning-reader shelf” —Booklist 

Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty’s Travels: Lab Magic, a My First I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly…

Four-time NBA champion and superstar Stephen Curry makes a splash with his picture book debut inspiring young readers to unlock their very own superpower.

“A positive boost from a strong role model.” —Kirkus

“With accessible advice honoring commitment to craft and fortitude,…

Pete Seeger (Storysong) and Michael Hays (ILT)

List Price: $8.99 (Paperback – Folktale / South African – 2003)

American folk singer Pete Seeger retells a South African folktale about a boy and his father who, after being banished from town for making mischief, are welcomed back when they find a way…

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From parents and actors Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill comes a picture book filled with beautiful, inspiring affirmations reminding kiddos of their infinite wonder. Perfect for children of any age!

I am worthy. I am loved. I am enough.
Every child, no matter their age, needs…

Javaka Steptoe (A)

When happy things come to you, hold them close and never let go.

From celebrated author of Your Name Is a Song Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, fine artist Patrick Dougher, and photographer Jamel Shabazz, Hold Them Close is a picture book celebration of Black past, present, and future—a joyful…

Angela Johnson (A) and Loren Long (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Flying / Tuskegee Airmen – 2007)

All he ever wanted to do was fly. Three-time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Angela Johnson and New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long invite readers to ponder a…

Shaquille O’Neal (A) and Theodore Taylor III (ILT)

List Price: $9.99 (Hardcover – Basketball Star / Confidence – 2017)

This new story in the exciting series created by Shaquille O’Neal and illustrated by Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent award winner Theodore Taylor III, encourages kids to find their own true talents.

Like…

Take Diggs (A) and Shane W. Evans (ILT) 

List Price $18.99 ( Hardcover – Father and Son – 2018)

My Child

I am not always with you
as much as I’d like.

But you are always in my mind
and my heart.

Some families look different than others. A father…

Tanitoluwa Adewumi (A) &  Courtney Dawson (ILT)

List Price: $17.99 (Hardcover – Biography /Chess Champion- 2019)

Tani Adewumi’s moving true story of immigrating to America, developing his talent for chess, and finding a new home will inspire families looking for stories of hope and kindness.

Tani was just six years old…

Laban Carrick Hill (A) and Theodore Taylor III (ILT)

List Price: $19.99 (Hardcover –  Biography / Music / Hip Hop Era – 2013)

Before there was hip hop, there was DJ Kool Herc.

On a hot day at the end of summer in 1973 Cindy Campbell threw a back-to-school party at a park…

A Coretta Scott King Author Honor winner!

As a little boy grows into a bigger boy, ready to take on the world, he first must have that very difficult conversation far too familiar to so many Black and Brown Americans in this gentle and ultimately hopeful picture book.

Jay’s most favorite things…

Margaret Mason (A) and Floyd Cooper (ILT)

List Price: $9.99 (Paperback – Teaching Racial Discrimination / Grandfather and Grandson – 2011)

Josephs grandpa could do almost anything with his hands. He could play the piano, throw a curve ball, and tie a triple bowline knot in…

Holly Robinson Peete (A) and Ryan Elizabeth Peete (A) and Shane Evans (ILT)

List Price: $18.99 (Hardcover – Disabillities / Autism / Siblings / Love and Tolerance – 2010)

Callie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He good at so many things – swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has…

Troy Andrews (A) and Bryan Collier (ILT)

List Price: $19.99 (Hardcover – Musician Bio – 2015)

“Winner of both a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Award, this beautiful picture book for older kids is an inspirational look at overcoming our circumstances to follow our dreams, in this case that of a young musician…

From Super Bowl champion and literacy crusader Malcolm Mitchell comes an exciting new story that shows even reluctant readers that there is a book out there for everyone!

Meet Henley, an all-around good kid, who hates to read. When he’s supposed to be reading, he would rather do anything else. But one day, he gets…