31 book recommendations for young readers to add to your holiday shopping list.
By Tonya Abari
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. If you’re into gift giving, I recommend buying books for the people you love. When it comes to buying books as holiday gifts, it truly is a worthy investment. Through book ownership, you’re giving the priceless gift of knowledge and imagination.
During a wonderful hour with the fall Augusta Baker Storytelling Experience (AB Kids), I had the opportunity to read from my own books and share the importance of centering diverse stories as mirrors and windows — shout out to Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop for blessing us with this ideology.
As an author who unapologetically writes and recommends stories about Black joy, it’s only fair that I continue to amplify these books. A combination of holiday-themed stories and titles that I shared in my presentation, please keep these lovely board books and picture book titles (that me and my tiny humans absolutely adore!) in mind for your shopping lists:
Picture Books Featuring Black Girls
- SHADY BABY FEELS by Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade, Illustrated by Tara Nicole Whitaker.
- NAMING CEREMONY by Seina Wedlick, Illustrated by Jenin Mohammed.
- ETTA EXTRAORDINAIRE by Roda Ahmed and Charnaie Gordon, Illustrated by Chloe Burgett.
- NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE and BETTER TOGETHER, CINDERELLA by Ashley Franklin, Illustrated by Ebony Glenn.
- THE ME I CHOOSE TO BE by Natasha A. Tarpley, Art by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt.
- JOY TAKES ROOT by Gwendolyn Wallace, Illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin.
- WASH DAY by Tiffany Golden, Illustrated by Lhaiza Morena.
- DELPHINE DENISE AND THE MARDI GRAS PRIZE by Brittany Mazique, Illustrated by Sawyer Cloud.
- HAIR LOVE ABCS by Matthew Cherry, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison.
- BIG by Vashti Harrison.
- THE LIGHT SHE FEELS INSIDE by Gwendolyn Wallance, Illustrated by Olivia Duchess.
- ZORA NEALE HURSTON: JUMP AT THE SUN by Alicia D. Williams, Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara.
- FREEDOM SOUP by Tami Charles, Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara.
- BLACK GIRLS by Dominique Furukawa, Illustrated by Erika Lynne Jones.
- BEDTIME BONNET by Nancy Redd, Illustrated by Nneka Myers.
- TOGETHER WE RIDE and TOGETHER WE SWIM by Valerie Bowling, Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita.
- RUBY’S REUNION DAY DINNER by Angela Dalton, Illustrated by Jestenia Southerland.
Tonya’s Books:
Added by the Storytime Solidarity Team:
- MY HAIR, MY CROWN illustrated by Tabitha Brown.
- LET’S CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH illustrated by Tabitha Brown.
- LOCS, NOT DREADS illustrated by Chasity Hampton.
14 Winter Holiday-themed Books for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Kwanzaa oh my!
- TWELVE DINGING DOORBELLS by Tameka Fryer Brown, Illustrated by Ebony Glenn.
- COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS by Nikki Shannon Smith.
- I GOT THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT by Connie Schofield-Morrison, Illustrated by Frank Morrison.
- MY BABY LOVES CHRISTMAS by Jabari Asim, Illustrated by Tara Nicole Whitaker.
- SANTA IN THE CITY by Tiffany Jackson, Illustrated by Reggie Brown.
- SANTA’S GOTTA GO by Derrick Barnes, Illustrated by Courtney Lovett.
- THE TRUTH ABOUT MRS. CLAUS by Meena Harris, Illustrated by Keisha Morris.
- THE REAL SANTA by Nancy Redd, Illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow.
- THE PEOPLE REMEMBER by Ibi Zoboi, Illustrated by Loveis Wise.
- THE NEW BROWNIES’ BOOK: A LOVE LETTER TO BLACK FAMILIES by Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer.
- LULLABY FOR THE KING by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Michelle Carlos.
- THE TWELVE HOURS OF CHRISTMAS by Jenn Bailey, Illustrated by Bea Jackson.
- JAYYLEN’S CHRISTMAS WISH by Lavaille Lavette, Illustrated by David Wilkerson.
- THE MOST MAGICAL TIME OF THE YEAR (Afro Unicorn) by April Showers, Illustrated by Anthony Conley.
WRITER BIO: Tonya Abari is multigenre storyteller – independent journalist, author, editor, and book reviewer. Her words and reviews have been published in Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Good Housekeeping, PBS Kids, Parents, and many more! Other than writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, discovering new places, and homeschooling her inquisitive and free-spirited daughters. You can find Tonya online at tonyaabari.com or hanging out on IG @iamtabari. Also feel free to support Tonya through Cashapp $tabar1 or here.
A Note From Ms. Kate
I can’t thank Tonya enough for working with us at Storytime Solidarity and for bringing such beautiful and affirming books into the world. The representation she provides is so, so important for so many families. Both those for whom her books are mirrors and those for whom they are windows. As Bernice King so perfectly said, “If you don’t think representation matters, you’re probably well-represented.”
We at Storytime Solidarity are so profoundly grateful to be able to work with authors like Tonya who help make sure that all stories are told. Tonya was too humble to include her beautiful books in this book list but the team and I are such fans we’ve added them to the list ourselves. We hope that you’ll support her and the many authors whose books she’s shared on this list.
The holidays are a wonderful time to buy books for children. If you don’t have children in your life consider purchasing beautiful books like these to donate to local toy drivers or family shelters. New books are a luxury and they’re a welcome gift whether you’re sharing with a child you know or through donation.
The team and I would also like to thank Aya Khalil and our friends at Kidlit in Color for introducing us to Tonya. We can’t thank Aya enough for her beautiful books, her tireless work on inclusive literacy, and the valuable insight she’s shared with us as a DEI consultant for Storytime Solidarity.
In Solidarity,
Kate (she/they)
