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Children's reading lists

13 wonderful children’s books by Black authors and illustrators

Why it’s important for children to put down their phones

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Features

An empowering celebration of growing up Black

Hey You!

"It distils the fierce heartache of racist injustice as well as a passionate sense of joy and hope for the future." 
The Guardian 
 
"From the pain of systemic racism to the hope of the future, it's an honest but largely uplifting read, aimed at children particularly." 
Evening Standard 
 
"A series of clever and witty illustrations matched with informative text guides the reader through a series of situations where they might encounter prejudice, and how to form strategies to overcome a situation before it becomes a problem." 
The Independent 
 
"This beautiful book also serves as a brilliant directory of work from black illustrators." 
BookTrust 
 
This groundbreaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today. 
 
Remember to dream your own dreams 
Love your beautiful skin 
You always have a choice 
 
This book addresses - honestly, yet hopefully - the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It's a message that is both urgent and timeless - and offers a rich and rewarding reading experience for every child. 
 
To mirror the rich variety of the Black diaspora, this book showcases artwork from Dapo and 18 incredible Black illustrators in one beautiful, powerful, and cohesive reading experience.

Illustrator Dapo Adeola's debut as author, Hey You! (Puffin), is a lyrical celebration of growing up black. Featuring the work of 18 illustrators, including Diane Ewen, Onyinye Iwu and Selom Sunu - since, as Adeola states: "I'm just one person, I can't possibly hope to speak for the entire diaspora" - it distils the fierce heartache of racist injustice as well as a passionate sense of joy and hope for the future.

A beautifully realised book, helmed by illustrator Dapo Adeola and featuring a number of other excellent artists, this is a portrait of the Black experience while growing up. From the pain of systemic racism to the hope of the future, it's an honest but largely uplifting read, aimed at children particularly.

A series of clever and witty illustrations matched with informative text guides the reader through a series of situations where they might encounter prejudice, and how to form strategies to overcome a situation before it becomes a problem.

This beautiful book also serves as a brilliant directory of work from Black illustrators, enabling parents to look up their other books, or keep an eye out for their work in the future. Perfect for new parents and fans of Oliver Jeffers Here We Are, I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C James, and Tami Charles' and Bryan Collier's All Because You Matter.

Each double page spread, and the end papers, are all created by one of the eighteen talented Black illustrators assembled from all over the world or this book. It is a joy to see so many different yet complementary styles of illustration creating the whole. A book for every classroom and nursery in the country!

This lyrical picture book is a message to our children, to show them how much we love and cherish them. To remind them they can achieve anything and be proud of their Black heritage and stand together. Reading this with my girls, I felt incredibly emotional. This is the book I wish I'd read as a child, and I feel so grateful to be able to read it with my children now.

This ground-breaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today

This book address - honestly, yet hopefully - the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It's a message that is both urgent and timeless - and offers a rich rewarding reading experience for every child.

Dapo Adeola is an award-winning illustrator and designer who creates characters and images that challenge expectations around race and gender in a fun and upbeat way. He is the co-creator and illustrator of bestselling picture book Look Up! - winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the number 1 debut picture book of 2019. 
London born and bred but of Nigerian heritage, when he's not busy cooking up new characters and adventures you can find Dapo running illustration and character design workshops with children or organising events to help highlight the possibilities of a career in illustration to underrepresented members of the Black diaspora.

"It distils the fierce heartache of racist injustice as well as a passionate sense of joy and hope for the future." 
The Guardian 
 
"From the pain of systemic racism to the hope of the future, it's an honest but largely uplifting read, aimed at children particularly." 
Evening Standard 
 
"A series of clever and witty illustrations matched with informative text guides the reader through a series of situations where they might encounter prejudice, and how to form strategies to overcome a situation before it becomes a problem." 
The Independent 
 
"This beautiful book also serves as a brilliant directory of work from black illustrators." 
BookTrust 
 
This groundbreaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today. 
 
Remember to dream your own dreams 
Love your beautiful skin 
You always have a choice 
 
This book addresses - honestly, yet hopefully - the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It's a message that is both urgent and timeless - and offers a rich and rewarding reading experience for every child. 
 
To mirror the rich variety of the Black diaspora, this book showcases artwork from Dapo and 18 incredible Black illustrators in one beautiful, powerful, and cohesive reading experience.

Speak Up!

Join the brilliantly passionate and instantly loveable Rocket as she organises a peaceful protest to save her local library! 
 
Bookworm Rocket loves to collect new books on her weekly visit to the library, and to read all about inspirational figures like Rosa Parks. She is heartbroken when she discovers the library will be closing down! Can she use what she's learnt from Rosa and speak up to save the day? 
 
This empowering, heartwarming picture book is a love letter to libraries and the power of reading. And it shows the incredible power we ALL have when we find our voice and speak up about the things that matter. 
 
Read more Rocket stories from award winning duo Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola: 
Look Up! 
Clean Up! 
 
Love the series? Check out Dapo Adeola's debut picture book Hey You!, a lyrical celebration on growing up Black.

A World Book Day 2022 Mini Book

Rocket Rules

Hi! I'm Rocket! 
 
My family says that one day I'm going to change the world. But every day I like to make a difference - even if it's just something super small . . . 
 
Join picture-book hero Rocket from the award-winning Look Up! series as she explains her ten 'Rocket Rules' for living life in the best (and most fun!) way possible. 
 
From always being curious to standing up for what you believe in, this mini guide to changing the world - one small step at a time - contains empowering and engaging ways for little ones to make a big difference. 
 
Bestselling duo Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola have created this inspirational mini picture book especially for World Book Day 2022.

Hi! I'm Rocket! 
 
My family says that one day I'm going to change the world. But every day I like to make a difference - even if it's just something super small . . . 
 
Join picture-book hero Rocket from the award-winning Look Up! series as she explains her ten 'Rocket Rules' for living life in the best (and most fun!) way possible. 
 
From always being curious to standing up for what you believe in, this mini guide to changing the world - one small step at a time - contains empowering and engaging ways for little ones to make a big difference. 
 
Bestselling duo Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola have created this inspirational mini picture book especially for World Book Day 2022.

Clean Up!

Join Rocket as she sets sail on a brand new mission - to save a Caribbean island from plastic pollution! 
 
When Rocket goes on holiday to visit her grandparents, she's shocked by the pollution that's spoiling their island home and putting the local sea life at risk. 
 
Can she think of a way to save the day? 
 
Once more featuring the lovable Rocket, discover Bryon and Adeola's incredible follow-up to the award-winning Look Up! A heartwarming story that empowers and educates young readers. 
 
Praise for Clean Up! 
 
"Clean Up! reminds us that there are always things we can do to make the world better" - Book Trust 
 
"Interwoven facts and an inspirational surfing grandma add up to a picture book with a lovely balance of urgency, humour and heart." - The Guardian

Join lovable, passionate Rocket as she sets off on a mission to save a Caribbean island from plastic pollution! 
 
 
When Rocket goes for a holiday to visit her grandparents, she's shocked by the pollution that is spoiling their island home and putting the local sea life at risk. Can she think of a way to save the day? 
 
 
This is a heartwarming, timely and empowering picture book, showing how we ALL can make a difference. It's a sequel to Nathan and Dapo's debut Look Up!

Look Up!

Meet hilarious, science-mad chatterbox, Rocket - she's going to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher, space-traveller that has ever lived! 
 
But... can she convince her big brother to stop looking down at his phone and start LOOKING UP at the stars? 
 
Bursting with energy and passion about science and space, this heart-warming, inspirational picture book will have readers turning off their screens and switching on to the outside world. 
 
*Winner of the UKLA Awards 2021* 
*Shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Awards 2019* 
"Outstanding - a breath of fresh air, just like Rocket herself" - Kirkus Reviews 
"Energetic and with a wry, sweet take on family dynamics, it will alert readers to the mysteries of the night skies" - The Guardian

Look Up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola features science-crazed chatterbox Rocket, who is determined to get her whole town out watching a meteor shower - to the annoyance of her big brother, who would rather stay glued to his phone. Energetic and with a wry, sweet take on family dynamics, it will alert readers to the mysteries of the night skies.

Rocket wants to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher and space-traveller who has ever lived, just like Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space. 
She's so excited about seeing a meteor shower that she makes an announcement over the supermarket loudspeaker when the cashier isn't looking, and hands out flyers to her fellow shoppers, much to her older brother Jamal's disdain - after all, Jamal prefers to be looking down at his phone most of the time and not up at the stars. And when Jamal gets too into his gaming to take Rocket to the park to watch the meteor shower, what will she do? Fortunately a knock at the door provides a joyous solution... 
Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola's charming picture book gifts us with a gorgeous character in Rocket, a girl whose passion for all things space is as inspiring to the reader as her heroine Mae Jemison is to her. Adeola has a real talent for portraying expression, from teen Jamal's sulks to Rocket's jubilation at watching the stars. 
Sprinkled with facts about meteors and space, this charming picture book is also a lovely representation of family, sibling relationships and one girl's infectious enthusiasm.

Young Rocket, an admirer of astronaut Mae Jemison, never stops telling others to "Look up!" Named for a rocket that blasted into space on the day she was born, Rocket is preparing herself to be the "greatest astronaut, star catcher, space walker who has ever lived." She sets up her telescope each night to wish on a star, her everyday clothing choice is an astronaut suit, star earrings are her favorites, and she has lots of information for those around her, especially concerning the Phoenix meteor shower to be visible that night. Her first-person commentary describes her family, her passion for space, and informs anyone who will listen about the Earth's travel through a comet's trail of dust. A multiethnic cast of characters with expressive cartoon faces fill this brightly colorful book with strong contrasts between indoor and outdoor images, variation of fonts, and speech or thought bubbles. All leads to the night sky event, when a frustrating sky search for the meteor awakens self-absorbed brother Jamal who finally turns off his phone to "Look up!" and give a bit of encouragement to his younger sister. ­VERDICT Ideal for space or science-inclined readers, this book includes brief information about outstanding scientist Jemison and a short list of facts about meteors and comets enclosed in an embrace of family relationships and a child's joy in the world around her. A suggested first purchase for all libraries.

Rocket is on a mission...to get her angst-y teen brother to put down his cellphone and look up. An aspiring astronaut, Rocket makes it a point to set up her telescope and gaze at the stars every night before bedtime. Inspired by Mae Jemison, Rocket, a supercute black girl with braids and a coiffed Afro, hopes to be "the greatest astronaut, star catcher, and space walker who has ever lived." As the night of the Phoenix meteor shower approaches, Rocket makes fliers inviting everyone in her neighborhood to see the cosmic event at the park. Over the course of her preparations, she shares information about space-shuttle missions, what causes a meteor shower, and when is the best time to see one. Jamal, Rocket's insufferable older brother, who sports a high-top fade and a hoodie, is completely engrossed in his phone, even as just about everybody in the neighborhood turns up. The bright, digital illustrations are an exuberant celebration of both space and black culture that will simultaneously inspire and ground readers. That the main characters are unapologetically black is made plain through myriad details. Rocket's mother is depicted cornrowing her daughter's hair with a wide-toothed comb and hair oil. Gap-toothed Rocket, meanwhile, makes her enthusiasm for space clear in the orange jumpsuit both she and her cat wear-and even Jamal's excited by the end. Outstanding-a breath of fresh air, just like Rocket herself.

Super Goat Girl

It's hard to fit in when you’re the new kid in superhero school! 
 
On Super Goat Girl’s first day, she’s met with a LOT of stares! After all what kind of superhero doesn’t have a fancy costume or a funky cape? While the other children are having fun writing with lasers, doing lightning-fast math, and being super stretchy, Super Goat Girl doubts she can measure up. 
 
As weird events happen throughout the day, will she be able to figure out what her special superpower is and work out how not to feel super strange? 
 
Super Goat Girl is a humorously heartwarming book from bestselling author Tracey Baptiste and British Book Award winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, that tackles the difficulties of imposter syndrome and encourages young readers to find confidence and joy in who they are and what makes them special.

It's hard to fit in when you’re the new kid in superhero school! 
 
On Super Goat Girl’s first day, she’s met with a LOT of stares! After all what kind of superhero doesn’t have a fancy costume or a funky cape? While the other children are having fun writing with lasers, doing lightning-fast math, and being super stretchy, Super Goat Girl doubts she can measure up. 
 
As weird events happen throughout the day, will she be able to figure out what her special superpower is and work out how not to feel super strange? 
 
Super Goat Girl is a humorously heartwarming book from bestselling author Tracey Baptiste and The British Book Award winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, that tackles the difficulties of imposter syndrome and encourages young readers to find confidence and joy in who they are and what makes them special.

Malorie Blackman

Dapo Adeola

A rip-roaring picture book adventure from superstar pairing Malorie Blackman and Dapo Adeola. 
 
 
Over the shimmering ocean, up the huge, high mountain, through the deep, dark forest . . . WE'RE GOING TO FIND THE MONSTER! 
 
 
Join two intrepid adventurers as their imaginations transform their house into a wild wonderland - and their big brother becomes a mighty monster. A joy to read-aloud with its cumulative refrain, and full of funny, relatable characters, this is a contemporary celebration of creativity, fantasy and family. 
 
 
Written by bestselling author of Noughts &amp; Crosses, Malorie Blackman, this story was originally published as Marty Monster. This new version has been stunningly brought to life by the award-winning illustrator of Look Up!, Dapo Adeola.

Dapo Adeola

Books by Dapo Adeola

Articles featuring Dapo Adeola

13 wonderful children’s books by Black authors and illustrators

Why it’s important for children to put down their phones

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