Looking for outstanding children’s books featuring Black boys? Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati has you covered. Check out her guest post and list. From board books to young adult novels, she gives us wonderful titles by Black authors to read and share.
By Vanesse J. Lloyd-Sgambati, Founder of The African American Children’s Project
In 2022, books that featured Black boys and young men rose to the top of the shelf. In the words of Lizzo,“It’s About Time!”
For the past several years, books with Black female lead characters dominated the children’s diverse book industry. Finally, the publishing industry got the message that the marketplace was hungry for books that centered Black male lead characters.
The books covered all the bases— humor, joy, history, sports, music, family, romance, fantasy, adventure, mystery, drama, and conflict. The books are responsible, instructional, nurturing, purposeful, poetic, creative, and resilient. They also showed the many facets of what it means to be a Black boy in the United States.
There is something for everyone on our list: board books, easy readers, fiction, nonfiction, picture, series, middle-grade, and young adult.
Our list is also compiled of titles that appear on our radar through projects I’ve worked on, research from my trusted network, recommendations sent to me by readers, booksellers and industry professionals. It is hoped that these books will empower, enrich, enlighten, and educate ALL readers about the depth of the Black experience.
The list features some of the authors and illustrators who will participate in the 31st Annual African American Children’s Book Fair at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, February 11, 2023. This is the perfect place to get a signed copy of your favorite title(s).
For the past several years, books with Black female lead characters dominated the children’s diverse book industry. Finally, the publishing industry got the message that the marketplace was hungry for books that centered Black male lead characters.
The books covered all the bases— humor, joy, history, sports, music, family, romance, fantasy, adventure, mystery, drama, and conflict. The books are responsible, instructional, nurturing, purposeful, poetic, creative, and resilient. They also showed the many facets of what it means to be a Black boy in the United States.
There is something for everyone on our list: board books, easy readers, fiction, nonfiction, picture, series, middle-grade, and young adult.
Our list is also compiled of titles that appear on our radar through projects I’ve worked on, research from my trusted network, recommendations sent to me by readers, booksellers and industry professionals. It is hoped that these books will empower, enrich, enlighten, and educate ALL readers about the depth of the Black experience.
The list features some of the authors and illustrators who will participate in the 31st Annual African American Children’s Book Fair at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, February 11, 2023. This is the perfect place to get a signed copy of your favorite title(s).
A BOOK OPENS UP A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES – PRESERVE A LEGACY AND BUY A BOOK!
To purchase books from The Season of Black Boy Books – Best Of 2022 go to https://bookshop.org/shop/theliterarycafe – scroll to The Season Of Black Boy Books. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the books will support the African American Children’s Book Fair.
For more information about our programs email – read@theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org or vlsliterary@gmail.com.
For more information about our programs email – read@theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org or vlsliterary@gmail.com.