It's Black History month and while some of you might think, “well I'm not black so this must not apply to me” I would like to suggest that we all let this apply to us. I find it a great honor to spend a month thinking about, remembering, and most importantly learning about men and women of color that have gone before us in this world. One of the best ways that I think we can do this as parents is to surround our kids with books not just in February, but throughout the year that showcase African Americans. If you are a momma to kids that are white, your kids desperately need to see books about people that look different than them. If you are a momma to kids with brown skin, your kids desperately need to see books about people that look like them!

I am a YES mom about books. If my kids ever want a book I'm constantly saying yes to them. After all, I do believe that leaders are readers, so let's get to reading people! One thing I try to do is provide books for my kids that are educational, entertaining, and feature characters that look like my children. As a momma to three black children, it's important for me that our bookshelves aren't full of white characters. As a momma to a white child, it is also important to me that our bookshelves aren't full of white characters. If this is important to you, I thought I'd share a few of the books that we have purchased for our kids over the years.

Kids Books

• When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner
• Little Leaders by Vashti Harrison
• ThoughtFull & GraceFull & ColorFull Dorena Williamson 
• 28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World by Charles R. Smith
• Who's Your Daddy by Lisa & Missy Harper
• Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood
• Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Chapter Books: (most of these have been for my daughter)

• The Magnificent Mya Tibbs by Crystal Allen
• Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts
• Hello Stars by Alena Pitts
• Day Dreams & Movie Screens by Alena Pitts
• Misty Copeland: Life in Motion by Misty Copeland

Books for older kids:

• A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
• Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose
• Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults) by Bryan Stevenson

There are tons more books we could list here, but these are some of our favorites. I also just ordered the book UNSEEN: UNPUBLISHED BLACK HISTORY FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES PHOTO ARCHIVES that I can't wait to put on our coffee table. I'd love to hear about any other books that you have added to your collection. Let's fill the comments with books for all us to browse!