"Brown Like Me" Books

Books for Kids Featuring Black Characters

Be Boy Buzz ~ Bell Hooks
Calling the Water Drum by LaTisha Redding
Hi, Cat! by Ezra Jack Keats
Me & Neesie ~ Eloise Greenfield
Honey, I Love by Eloise Greenfield
If I Had a Raptor by George O'Connor

This site contains affiliate and advertiser links. For more information, please read my Disclosure Policy.


Boys

Black Boy Main Character Books for Kids
The collection of books below all have one main thing in common. They all feature black boys as the main characters. I believe it is of great importance for young African American boys to see themselves in the books they read! There are over 30 books below to choose from!

Looking for a different book collection?

Not a problem! You can view all of my book collections on my special “Brown Like Me” Book Collections page!


 

30+ Picture Books Featuring Black Boys:

Check out all of the books featuring black boys as main characters that I’ve reviewed here on the site. Simply click the image or title to read more about each book! Don’t worry, each book will open in a new tab!

Dear Dragon ~ Josh Funk

Dear Dragon ~ Josh Funk

As part of their school assignments, Blaise and George become ...
Read More
Max Goes to the Dentist ~ Adria F. Klein

Max Goes to the Dentist ~ Adria F. Klein

This is a cute little Read-It! Readers book about a ...
Read More
Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book ~ Celeste Shally

Since We’re Friends: An Autism Picture Book ~ Celeste Shally

According to the forward in this book, one in 110 ...
Read More
Bigger Than Daddy ~ Harriet Ziefert

Bigger Than Daddy ~ Harriet Ziefert

My boys absolutely loved this book! It is about a ...
Read More
Luke Goes to Bat ~ Rachel Isadora

Luke Goes to Bat ~ Rachel Isadora

Luke, is too young to play stickball with the bigger ...
Read More
Golden Bear ~ Ruth Young

Golden Bear ~ Ruth Young

This a cute little rhyming book about a little boy ...
Read More
Peekaboo Morning ~ Rachel Isadora

Peekaboo Morning ~ Rachel Isadora

Follow along with this cute little toddler as he plays ...
Read More
A Trip to the Hospital ~ Kim Watson

A Trip to the Hospital ~ Kim Watson

We are Little Bill fans and of course this book ...
Read More
The Talk by Alicia D. Williams

The Talk ~ Alicia D. Williams

This beautifully illustrated book definitely hits home. With four boys ...
Read More
Music is a Rainbow by Bryan Collier

Music is a Rainbow ~ Bryan Collier

After his father leaves for work every morning and his ...
Read More
Can You Top That? ~ W. Nikola-Lisa

Can You Top That? ~ W. Nikola-Lisa

This is a cute counting book about a boy and ...
Read More
Max Goes on the Bus ~ Adria F. Klein

Max Goes on the Bus ~ Adria F. Klein

This is a Read-it! Readers book about Max, a young ...
Read More
The Worst Day of My Life by Bill Cosby

The Worst Day of My Life ~ Bill Cosby

Little Bill thought it was going to be the worst ...
Read More
Out! by Arree Chung

Out! ~ Arree Chung

This is a fun story about the nighttime adventures of ...
Read More
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Denene Millner

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut ~ Denene Millner

There's nothing quite like the feeling you get after you ...
Read More
Good Morning, Superman by Michael Dahl

Good Morning, Superman ~ Michael Dahl

This is a fun book about a young boy's morning ...
Read More
Goodnight Football by Michael Dahl

Goodnight Football ~ Michael Dahl

This is a great rhyming story for little football fans! ...
Read More
If I Were President by Thomas Kingsley Troupe

If I Were President ~ Thomas Kingsley Troupe

A young boy tells of what he would do and ...
Read More
My Kicks A Sneaker Story by Susan Verde

My Kicks: A Sneaker Story! ~ Susan Verde

This is a fun story about a boy and his ...
Read More
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind ~ William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

This book is based on a true story of a ...
Read More
An Angel Just Like Me ~ Mary Hoffman

An Angel Just Like Me ~ Mary Hoffman

My kids really enjoyed this book! It is about a ...
Read More
Setting the Turkeys Free ~ W. Nikola-Lisa

Setting the Turkeys Free ~ W. Nikola-Lisa

An imaginative little boy uses his hand print, paint, and ...
Read More
All Because You Matter by Tami Charles

All Because You Matter ~ Tami Charles

With beautiful petal-shaped collage artwork, this is an open letter ...
Read More
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands ~ Kadir Nelson

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands ~ Kadir Nelson

Featuring a boy and his family, the lyrics of the ...
Read More
Racing Around by Stuart J. Murphy

Racing Around ~ Stuart J. Murphy

This is a living math book about perimeter. Mike wants ...
Read More
Max Goes to the Zoo by Adria F. Klein

Max Goes to the Zoo ~ Adria F. Klein

This is a purple level, Read-It Readers easy reader book ...
Read More
Kevin and His Dad by Irene Smalls

Kevin and His Dad ~ Irene Smalls

What's more fun for a boy than to spend the ...
Read More
Elevator Magic by Stuart J. Murphy

Elevator Magic ~ Stuart J. Murphy

Who knew elevators could help with math? This book is ...
Read More
Jack's Room by Julia Woolf

Jack’s Room ~ Julia Woolf

This is a Rookie Reader book about a little boy ...
Read More
David's Drawings by Cathryn Falwell

David’s Drawings ~ Cathryn Falwell

David decided to draw the beautiful tree that he saw ...
Read More
A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats

A Letter to Amy ~ Ezra Jack Keats

Peter is having a birthday party. Among all his neighborhood ...
Read More
Max Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkney

Max Found Two Sticks ~ Brian Pinkney

Max found two heavy twigs and would tap his two ...
Read More
Yo, Jo! ~ Rachel Isadora

Yo, Jo! ~ Rachel Isadora

This book is about Jomar and his brother and the ...
Read More
Sam and the Tigers by Julius Lester

Sam and the Tigers ~ Julius Lester

A retelling of one of the most controversial books in ...
Read More
I Got Next by Daria Peoples-Riley

I Got Next ~ Daria Peoples-Riley

It’s game day and it’s time to put your game ...
Read More
I Am Perfectly Designed by Karamo Brown

I Am Perfectly Designed ~ Karamo Brown

Through a conversation between father and son, this book encourages ...
Read More
Look for Ladybugs by Dana Meachen Rau

Look for Ladybugs ~ Dana Meachen Rau

This is a wonderful Rookie Reader book that focuses on ...
Read More
The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read by Curtis Manley

The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read ~ Curtis Manley

Nick wants to share his love of reading with his ...
Read More
A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting by Michelle Robinson

A Beginner’s Guide to Bear Spotting ~ Michelle Robinson

This is a cute little story about a boy trying ...
Read More
Twins by Mike Ciccotello

Twins ~ Mike Ciccotello

This is a fun book about an unlikely set of ...
Read More
Water, Water by Eloise Greenfield

Water, Water ~ Eloise Greenfield

A young boy interacts with water throughout this cute, rhyming ...
Read More
Have You Seen Elephant by David Barrow

Have You Seen Elephant? ~ David Barrow

This is about a cute little boys and his imaginary ...
Read More
Thinker by Eloise Greenfield

Thinker ~ Eloise Greenfield

This is a fun collection of poems written by a ...
Read More
The Soccer Fence by Phil Bildner

The Soccer Fence ~ Phil Bildner

Hector watched from outside the fence as the white boys ...
Read More
Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams

Galimoto ~ Karen Lynn Williams

Galimoto, which means "car" in the language of Malawi, is ...
Read More
Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne Naden

Ron’s Big Mission ~ Rose Blue and Corinne Naden

A fictionalized account of a real incident one summer day ...
Read More
Amadi's Snowman by Katia Novet Saint-Lot

Amadi’s Snowman ~ Katia Novet Saint-Lot

Amadi does not understand why his mother insists on him ...
Read More
Poppa's Itchy Christmas by Angela Shelf Medearis

Poppa’s Itchy Christmas ~ Angela Shelf Medearis

George is disappointed when he and his Poppa both receive ...
Read More
The Day I Saw My Father Cry by Bill Cosby

The Day I Saw My Father Cry ~ Bill Cosby

Little Bill's new neighbor, Mr. Mills, teaches everyone an ingenious ...
Read More
Every Little Thing by Cedella Marley

Every Little Thing ~ Cedella Marley

Based on Bob Marley's song "Three Little Birds," this adaption ...
Read More
Yesterday I Had the Blues by Jeron Ashford Frame

Yesterday I Had the Blues ~ Jeron Ashford Frame

In this bold, vivid story, a young boy expresses the ...
Read More
The Snowy Day ~ Ezra Jack Keats

The Snowy Day ~ Ezra Jack Keats

My kids LOVED this story! It is about a little ...
Read More
The First Day of Winter ~ Denise Fleming

The First Day of Winter ~ Denise Fleming

This book is about a young boy and the first ...
Read More
Goggles! ~ Ezra Jack Keats

Goggles! ~ Ezra Jack Keats

Peter and Archie were playing in the alley when they ...
Read More
Hi, Cat! by Ezra Jack Keats

Hi, Cat! ~ Ezra Jack Keats

On his way to put on a show for the ...
Read More
Bippity Bop Barbershop ~ Natasha Anastasia Tarpley

Bippity Bop Barbershop ~ Natasha Anastasia Tarpley

This is a great story about a little boy named ...
Read More
The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds

The Word Collector ~ Peter H. Reynolds

People collect all kinds of things. Jerome collected words, words ...
Read More
The Seeds of Friendship by Michael Foreman

The Seeds of Friendship ~ Michael Foreman

While Adam loved his new home in the tall tower ...
Read More
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Jabari Jumps ~ Gaia Cornwall

After completing his swim lessons and passing his swim test, ...
Read More
Fish School ~ Nancy Poydar

Fish School ~ Nancy Poydar

Charlie got a goldfish for his birthday and he vowed ...
Read More
Max Paints the House ~ Ken Wilson-Max

Max Paints the House ~ Ken Wilson-Max

This book is about Max (a little boy), Little Pink ...
Read More
Riki's Birdhouse ~ Monica Wellington

Riki’s Birdhouse ~ Monica Wellington

We used this book when we did our unit on ...
Read More
I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother ~ Selina Alko

I’m Your Peanut Butter Big Brother ~ Selina Alko

This is a cute little book about a boy who ...
Read More
Just Try It ~ Christianne C. Jones

Just Try It ~ Christianne C. Jones

This is a Read It! Reader book about a boy ...
Read More
A Wild Cowboy ~ Dana Kessimakis Smith

A Wild Cowboy ~ Dana Kessimakis Smith

This is an adorable book about a little boy who ...
Read More
Peter's Chair ~ Ezra Jack Keats

Peter’s Chair ~ Ezra Jack Keats

Little Peter is upset because it seems like his new ...
Read More
Six Empty Pockets ~ Matt Curtis

Six Empty Pockets ~ Matt Curtis

This is a cute little rookie reader book about a ...
Read More
Be Boy Buzz ~ Bell Hooks

Be Boy Buzz ~ Bell Hooks

This book is about being proud of being "all boy." ...
Read More
Cosmo and the Robot ~ Brian Pinkney

Cosmo and the Robot ~ Brian Pinkney

This book is about a boy named Cosmo who lives ...
Read More
When I Am Old with You by Angela Johnson

When I Am Old with You ~ Angela Johnson

A young boy imagines being old with his grandfather. He ...
Read More
Island Baby by Holly Keller

Island Baby ~ Holly Keller

On the Caribbean island, young Simon loves to help Pops ...
Read More
Friends and Pals and Brothers, Too by Sarah Wilson

Friends and Pals and Brothers, Too ~ Sarah Wilson

This cute little rhyming book is about two brothers who ...
Read More
Jonathan and His Mommy by Irene Smalls

Jonathan and His Mommy ~ Irene Smalls

Jonathan and his mom like to take walks together, but ...
Read More
Sing-Along Song by JoAnn Early Macken

Sing-Along Song ~ JoAnn Early Macken

This book is about a cute little boy who loves ...
Read More
Grandfather and I by Helen E. Buckley

Grandfather and I ~ Helen E. Buckley

This is a cute little book about a little boy ...
Read More
Fireflies for Nathan ~ Shulamith Levey Oppenheim

Fireflies for Nathan ~ Shulamith Levey Oppenheim

This book is about a six year old boy who ...
Read More
Ben's Trumpet by Rachel Isadora

Ben’s Trumpet ~ Rachel Isadora

Ben loves to play his pretend trumpet while listening to ...
Read More
Max Goes to the Library ~ Adria F. Klein

Max Goes to the Library ~ Adria F. Klein

Max loves to read books. So, he goes to the ...
Read More
White Water by Michael S. Bandy

White Water ~ Michael S. Bandy & Eric Stein

Michael questions why the "Coloreds" water fountain has warm, muddy ...
Read More
Whistle for Willie ~ Ezra Jack Keats

Whistle for Willie ~ Ezra Jack Keats

If only Peter could whistle, his dog Willie would run ...
Read More
Max Goes to School ~ Adria F. Klein

Max Goes to School ~ Adria F. Klein

This is a great little Read-it! Readers book for beginning ...
Read More
The Adventures of Sparrowboy ~ Brian Pinkney

The Adventures of Sparrowboy ~ Brian Pinkney

My boys really enjoyed this book. It is about Henry, ...
Read More
Daddy Calls Me Man ~ Angela Johnson

Daddy Calls Me Man ~ Angela Johnson

A collection of short poems, Daddy Calls Me Man, documents ...
Read More

 

More Picture Books Featuring Black Boys:

To purchase or read more about each book, click on the book image or title to view the book information on Amazon. Affiliate links are used.

Brown Boy Joy

Dad, Who Will I Be?

Riley Can Be Anything

Marvelous Me

I Am…Positive Affirmations for Brown Boys

Leo Love Baby Time

I’m a Brilliant Little Black Boy

My Brown Skin

I Am Every Good Thing

A Boy, A Budget, and a Dream

LeBron James: The Boy Who Became King

Baby Boy, What Will You Be?

For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World

Black Boy Shinning ABCs of Character and Spirit

What Will I Be?

Stephen Curry: The Boy Who Never Gave Up

Son, You Are a King

I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything!

I Know my Rights: Bill of Rights

Brown Boy Brown Boy What Can You Be?