I know many children are getting use to watching Cocomelon, Paw Patrol or the Baby First channel, but they shouldn’t be in front of a screen all day. No matter if it’s a T.V., or a tablet, children need time to communicate and bond with the loved one’s around them. Each night, my wife or I take some time to read some of my daughter’s favorite books to her. Many of them we have come to realize she loves for different reason. Like if she’s with my wife, she loves the book “Is Your Mama a Llama?” and many more, but with me, it’s most times a book that somehow represents the relationship between a black dad and his daughter.
One thing that I love about society today is that their is a plethora of different representations of people these days. When I was young, all you could find was books that mostly showed white families, or if was a black book. It dealt with a music background, or the setting was somewhere in New York and not Manhattan New York. Now you can see yourself in many different lights and feel that you are properly represented. For black dads with beautiful daughters, you are able to see yourself and truly connect with your daughter in a positive light. Besides the animation, Hair Love is definitely one of my own personal favorites, but feels even better when my daughter has the same love for it as well.
Many books today can help daughters know their strength as well as help them to understand self love. One thing my wife and I push into our daughter is just that. Some may say she’s too young to understand, but we see clearly she isn’t. As on a playground she is very friendly all kids and is a go with the flow type of child, but she will definitely set her boundaries quickly if pushed, even at the age of 2 years old. So for book, we look for many things that help to enforce that. Plus more than anything, reading gives me and her even more time to bond. But for my black dad’s out there, I truly suggest that you add these ten books to your list of books you may have.
Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he’ll do anything to make her — and her hair — happy.
From Academy Award–winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.
Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.
In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.
A beautiful book that brings Bob Marley’s beloved song to life for a new generation: Every family will relate to this universal story of a boy who won’t let anything get him down, as long as he has the help of three special little birds. This cheerful book will bring a smile to faces of all ages—because every little thing’s gonna be all right
• This cute children’s book includes all the lyrics of the original song “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, along with exciting new song verses
• ; Written by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s daughter, who has dedicated herself to keeping her father’s message and memory alive
• Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Every Little Thing contains beautiful, full-page designs that are as colorful and fun as the storyline
Fans of Get Up, Stand Up and One Love will also love the lyrical rhythm and the powerful message of love, peace and harmony presented in Every Little Thing.
From the Creators of Hair Like Mine, Skin Like Mine, the second book in the Kids Like Mine Series, is a fun, easy-to- read for beginners as well as advanced readers. An entertaining yet creative way to address and celebrate diversity among young children. Guaranteed to make you smile and a bit hungry.
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith–wife of superstar Will Smith–lovingly captures the strength, unity, and beauty that live in girls in this poignant photographic book.
“We are sisters of this Earth — members of one powerful tribe. /Every color, shape, and size, we’re united by beauty inside.” Artistic photographs enhance the positive message of Jada Pinkett Smith’s inspiring poem. A renowned actress and loving mother, Smith brings warmth and heart to this celebration of young women. While so many girls today struggle with self-doubt, this poem focuses on the power ALL girls have within them, regardless of color or creed. This is the perfect book for mothers, daughters, sisters and friends to give and to share again and again.
From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly.
Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.
‘Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew
That the world needed someone exactly like you!
Anyone who’s ever been underestimated or overshadowed will find inspiration in this empowering new picture book from Meena Harris, New York Times-bestselling author of Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea.
When a young girl sees a strong woman on TV labeled as “too assertive” and “too ambitious,” it sends her on a journey of discovery through past, present, and future about the challenges faced by women and girls and the ways in which they can reframe, redefine, and reclaim words meant to knock them down.
As Ambitious Girl says:
No “too that” or “too this”
will stop what’s inside us from flowering.
A sweet picture book showcasing all the ways a father will help his daughter grow, this is the gift for every girl dad and little girl to celebrate their special bond. Featuring charming animal illustrations and heartwarming rhymes about the moments fathers and daughters share, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad is the perfect story to connect father and daughter together.
From the first time I held you, so perfect and new,
I promised to do everything that I could do
To help you become your most wonderful YOU,
My darling, my daughter, my girl.
For new dads, fathers-to-be, or for that perfect father-daughter moment, this sweet storybook celebrates how a father is always there for his little girl. reminding her to be artistic, thoughtful, honest, and smart, but most of all, true to herself.
Woke babies are up early. Woke babies raise their fists in the air. Woke babies cry out for justice. Woke babies grow up to change the world.
This lyrical and empowering book is both a celebration of what it means to be a baby and what it means to be woke. With bright playful art, Woke Baby is an anthem of hope in a world where the only limit to a skyscrapper is more blue.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of I Am Enough comes an empowering follow-up that celebrates every child’s limitless potential.
I Believe I Can is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves.
Actress and activist Grace Byers and artist Keturah A. Bobo return with another gorgeously illustrated new classic that’s the perfect gift for baby showers, birthdays, or just for reading at home again and again.
My presence matters in this world. I know I can do anything, if only I believe I can.
A #1 New York Times Bestseller!
From the National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist comes a fresh new board book that empowers parents and children to uproot racism in our society and in ourselves.
Take your first steps with Antiracist Baby! Or rather, follow Antiracist Baby‘s nine easy steps for building a more equitable world.
With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society.
Featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices, Good Morning America, NPR’s Morning Edition, CBS This Morning, and more!