10+ Best Black History Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Introducing your little ones to important historical narratives early on is a wonderful way to broaden their horizons. That's why we've put together a fantastic selection of Black History Books for 3-Year-Olds, perfect for sparking curiosity and teaching valuable lessons through engaging stories. Keep reading to discover our carefully curated lists that will help you choose the right books to start meaningful conversations with your preschooler.

Fun Black History Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Whose Knees Are These? by Jabari Asim, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This playful board book focuses on a young child discovering and celebrating their knees through playful rhymes and charming illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages body awareness and self-love in young children, using simple language that keeps them engaged and entertained.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy interactive and sensory board books.

• Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Family
  • Synopsis: This book captures the everyday challenges and joys of parenting as it follows a toddler through a day filled with playful mischief and affectionate pleas from their parents.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, repetitive text is ideal for reading aloud, making it a fun reading experience for both parents and children.
  • Perfect for: Parents and guardians looking for a relatable and heartwarming story to share with their little ones.

• I Am Enough by Grace Byers, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Empowerment
  • Synopsis: This lyrical ode to self-confidence and kindness follows a girl who learns to celebrate herself and respect others, regardless of their differences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes messages of self-love and acceptance, crucial for building confidence in young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who could benefit from a boost in self-esteem and understanding of diversity.

• Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Biography
  • Synopsis: This charming board book highlights the achievements of 18 black women in history, encouraging young girls to dream big.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces role models who exemplify courage and determination, inspiring young readers to aspire to greatness.
  • Perfect for: Little girls and boys who could use some powerful examples of successful figures who look like them.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Peter, a young boy, explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall, experiencing the simple joys and adventures of a snowy day.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the wonder of a child's day in the snow with beautiful, expressive illustrations and a sweet, simple story.
  • Perfect for: Young children who delight in exploring the world around them, regardless of the weather.

Educational Black History Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Family
  • Synopsis: This heartwarming story follows a Black father trying to style his daughter's hair for the first time, celebrating the loving bond between parents and children.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Family bonding, self-esteem, cultural appreciation
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases the beautiful relationship between a father and daughter, emphasizing the importance of self-love and family support.
  • Perfect for: Young children and their parents, particularly those looking to foster a positive self-image and familial connections.

• Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Sulwe, a girl with skin darker than anyone she knows, embarks on a magical journey to discover her own unique beauty.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-acceptance, understanding diversity, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses colorism and self-esteem with a magical and empowering story, helping children appreciate their inner and outer beauty.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need affirmation of their worth and beauty, regardless of skin tone.

• Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Social Issues
  • Synopsis: This book introduces the youngest readers and their families to the concept and power of antiracism, providing nine easy steps for building a more equitable world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social awareness, empathy, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers clear and accessible concepts about how to be an antiracist, which is essential in today’s society.
  • Perfect for: Families looking to instill early understanding and actions that can contribute to social justice.

• Let's Talk About Race by Julius Lester, illustrated by Karen Barbour
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Social Issues
  • Synopsis: This book addresses the subject of race, encouraging children to consider their own stories, and the story of others, to see beyond skin color.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural understanding, empathy, communication
  • Why we recommend this book: It opens up important dialogues about race and identity in a way that is accessible and engaging for young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers and classrooms that are beginning to explore topics of race and diversity.

• I Love My Hair! by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, illustrated by E. B. Lewis
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Self-Esteem
  • Synopsis: This story follows Keyana, a young girl who learns to love and take pride in her beautiful and unique hair.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-esteem, cultural heritage, creative expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to embrace and celebrate their natural attributes, promoting a positive self-image.
  • Perfect for: Young children, especially those learning to love their natural hair and heritage.

Challenging Black History Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to trailblazing black women in American history, focusing on their incredible achievements and contributions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents complex historical concepts and a wide range of vocabulary that is advanced for three-year-olds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It educates and inspires by showcasing powerful role models, which can help build a strong foundation of respect and admiration for influential black women.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are curious about history and influential personalities.

• Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Biography
  • Synopsis: Inspired by the life of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, this book tells the story of a young girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story incorporates themes of perseverance and dreaming big, which are profound concepts for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to dream without limits and teaches the importance of determination and hard work.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young astronauts and dreamers looking to reach for the stars.

• The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book takes readers through the alphabet, each letter spotlighting a significant aspect of Black history and culture.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a broad range of historical events, people, and concepts that require explanation beyond simple identification.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a comprehensive introduction to Black history that builds awareness and appreciation from an early age.
  • Perfect for: Young learners eager to explore alphabets and history simultaneously.

• Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Biography, Science
  • Synopsis: This book chronicles the life of Katherine Johnson, a mathematician at NASA who played a crucial role in the success of the Apollo missions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex mathematical concepts and the detailed workings of NASA missions, which are advanced topics for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of mathematics and perseverance, inspiring children to appreciate and aspire to achievements in STEM fields.
  • Perfect for: Young minds fascinated by space exploration and mathematics.

• Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis by Jabari Asim, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of John Lewis's childhood and how his early interactions with church and family chickens prepared him for his role as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of leadership and civil rights, which are significant and complex topics for three-year-olds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the values of compassion, leadership, and persistence in a way that is accessible and engaging for young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history and stories of influential leaders.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing young children to books about Black history is a wonderful way to expand their understanding of the world and the rich diversity it holds. Here are some engaging exercises that can help your 3-year-olds develop good reading habits while exploring Black history books:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through the book and looking at pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Stimulates curiosity and sets a context for the story.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read the book aloud to your child, using expressive voices for different characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Change your voice for different characters to make the reading more fun and engaging.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Acting out scenes from the book after reading.
  • How it helps: Helps with memory retention and understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role play more exciting and memorable.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Putting events from the story in order using pictures or simple statements.
  • How it helps: Develops logical thinking and recall abilities.
  • Tips: Start with two to three major events and gradually increase as your child gets more comfortable.

• Character Puppets
  • What it is: Creating puppets of characters from the story using socks, paper bags, or sticks.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps children connect emotionally with the characters.
  • Tips: Let your child help in making the puppets and use them to retell the story.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading time, you not only make learning about Black history engaging and fun but also lay the groundwork for strong reading habits in your child's future. Happy reading!