Celebrating Black Joy

Celebrate the power of storytelling every month of the year.

The CBC and Every Child a Reader honors Black History Month every year, and starting in 2025, we celebrate the power of uplifting storytelling and history — celebrating Black joy — every month of the year.

We will feature bestselling, award-winning authors and illustrators and their new and recent books that will inspire young people everywhere, year-round.

Follow us at #CBCCelebratingBlackJoy

Andrea Davis Pinkney

This poetic picture book is part love letter and part biography, praising the power of this Nobel Prize winner. With its tender refrain, readers will know how much Morrison’s stories — and their own — mean to the world. She was loved — and so are they! Illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner, Daniel Minter.

Read more.

Cheryl Willis Hudson

Your spirit will soar! A girl connects with heritage, history, and a higher power through the lyrics of twelve beloved spirituals and four seminal events in African American history. IIllustrated by London Ladd.

Nikki Grimes

By slowing down and appreciating the gentler sounds of nature, Grandma and her granddaughter step away from the hubbub of daily life and refresh. Their time together made more special by sharing a cup of quiet. Illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson-Conforto.

Wade Hudson

This lyrical picture book written by Wade Hudson explores the birth of Black America, focusing on the little-known men and women who fought for justice and for an America where freedom truly rang for all. Illustrated by E.B. Lewis.

Tameka Fryer Brown

Bursting with warmth and words of encouragement, this lyrical picture book celebrates growing up and believing in yourself—the perfect gift for graduations, birthdays, the first day of school, and beyond. Illustrated by Alleanna Harris.

Tracey Baptiste

In Baptiste’s short story “Best Laid Plans,” a young pan aficionado wants to sneak out to enjoy a nearby competition. But her neighbor’s rottweiler has other plans. “A wonderful collection of short stories and poems from 40 black writers and illustrators . . . Brilliantly curated by Dapo Adeola.” – Joseph Coelho, Children’s Laureate.

Kelly Starling-Lyons

This joyful five-book beginning reader box set includes the Geisel-Honor title Ty’s Travels: Zip, Zoom! plus four more My First I Can Read Ty’s Travels stories. The box has a carry-along handle and a Velcro closure.

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

“An inclusive early reader that celebrates dialogue about individual differences.” — School Library Journal. Illustrated by Lydia Mba.

Don Tate

As a boy, Jerry loved playing with springs, sprockets, and gadget-y things. When he grew up, Jerry became an engineer—a professional tinkerer—and in the 1970s, he turned his technical know-how to video games. Illustrated by Cherise Harris.

Laura Pegram

“These stories serve as windows into diverse communities while inviting readers of all backgrounds to engage with and appreciate the richness of our cultures.” —Edwidge Danticat, from the foreword

Read more about the book and about Laura’s work at Kweli Journal.

Torrey Maldonado

“Gorgeous and gripping, Hands is a poetic page-turner. You might just finish it in one sitting. Torrey Maldonado understands the kids he writes for at the deepest level.” —Adam Gidwitz, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Inquisitor’s Tale

Traci N. Todd

Author Traci Todd tells the story of Ella Jenkins, an American folk singer and living legend dubbed The First Lady of Children’s Music. For nearly 70 years, she has been writing and performing music that has entertained and engaged generations of young listeners. In Make a Pretty Sound, Ella’s life and legacy are captured in vibrant sights, sounds, and stories that leap right off the page, as illustrated by Eleanor Davis.

Paula Chase

Paula Chase explores complex issues that affect many young teens, and So Done offers a powerful message about speaking up. Full of ballet, basketball, family, and daily life in Pirates Cove, this memorable novel is for fans of Ali Benjamin’s The Thing About Jellyfish and Jason Reynolds’s Ghost.

Dr. Artika Tyner

Dr. Artika Tyner tells the story of the first all-Black battalion in the Women’s Army Corps—the Six Triple Eight—and its leader, Major Charity Adams. These women bravely confronted the racism and sexism they experienced. And they did it while creating a system to make sure millions of letters and packages got to soldiers fighting in Europe.

CBC PARTNERS, CAMPAIGNS, AND RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

The CBC is proud to be a partner with THE BROWN BOOKSHELF.

THE BROWN BOOKSHELF is designed to push awareness of the myriad Black voices writing for young readers. Our flagship initiative is 28 Days Later, a month-long showcase of the best in Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult novels written and illustrated by Black creators.

Learn more about Black Stories at Black Stories Amplified, sponsored by THE BROWN BOOKSHELF and Highlights.

In 2021, the CBC and Every Child a Reader launched Floyd Cooper Day, an annual celebration of a much beloved and award-winning author and illustrator. Visit the website built by his friends along with Every Child a Reader.

See the many classroom posters of Black authors, illustrators, and community leaders as part of our national Get Caught Reading campaign.

The CBC urges book lovers to support Black-owned bookstores. Check out Bookshop.org‘s directory.

Come back to this page for regular updates throughout 2025 and beyond!