Board Books & Early Childhood Favorites (0–5)
Baby Goes to Market
By Atinuke, Illustrated by Angela Brooksbank
When Baby and Mama go to the market, Baby is so adorable that the banana seller gives him six bananas. Baby eats one and puts five in the basket, but Mama doesn’t notice. As Mama and Baby wend their way through the stalls, Baby collects five oranges, four biscuits, three ears of sweet corn, two pieces of coconut . . . until Mama notices that her basket is getting very heavy! Poor Baby, she thinks, he must be very hungry by now! Rhythmic language, visual humor, and a bounty of delectable food make this a tale that is sure to whet little app
Please, Baby Please
By Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Please, Baby, Please by Spike and Tonya Lewis Lee is a vibrant children's picture book (illustrated by Kadir Nelson) capturing the chaotic, joyful, and exhausting day-in-the-life of a rambunctious toddler, featuring repetitive, rhythmic pleas from parents like "Go back to bed, baby, please" or "Don't eat the sand, baby, please," as the energetic child gets into mischief from morning to night, ending with sweet cuddles and bedtime kisses.
Welcome to the Party
By Gabrielle Union, Illustrated by Ashley Evans
Welcome to the Party is a children's picture book by Gabrielle Union, illustrated by Ashley Evans, that serves as a celebratory love letter to new babies and their parents, inspired by the birth of her daughter, Kaavia James. The book uses a party theme to welcome a new baby, featuring family, food, dancing, and endless love, and is available in hardcover and board book formats.
Girl of Mine
By Jabari Asim, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Girl of Mine by Jabari Asim is a children's board book, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, that serves as a companion to Boy of Mine. It's a bedtime story featuring a father and his daughter on a magical, moonlit adventure, inspired by the "Rock-A-Bye Baby" lullaby, with sweet rhymes and vibrant illustrations designed to soothe young children to sleep.
Full, Full, Full of LOVE
By Trish Cooke, Illustrated by Paul Howard
Full, Full, Full of LOVE celebrates family, food, and love, following a young boy named Jay Jay during a Sunday dinner at his grandmother's house, filled with hugs, tasty dishes, and happy faces, all brought to life with warm illustrations by Paul Howard. The book uses rhythmic text to capture the joy of family gatherings and is recommended for ages 2-5, emphasizing themes of family bonds and cultural traditions
Dream Big Little One
By Vashti Harrison
Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison is a colorful, rhyming board book that adapts her Little Leaders series, introducing young readers to 18 inspiring Black women in American history (like Mae Jemison, Bessie Coleman) through simple, encouraging text and charming illustrations, aiming to spark big dreams by showing everyday heroes, trailblazers, and visionaries who made extraordinary impacts, making it a perfect bedtime book to inspire future leaders.
Black Boy, Black Boy Celebrate the Power of You
By Ali Kamanda & Jorge Redmond, Illustrated by Ken Daley
A powerful, affirming picture book that uplifts, educates, and inspires Black boys to see themselves as heroes of their own story. They are inventors, leaders, athletes, scholars, artists. They are sons, dreamers, and doers. Black Boy, Black Boy is a lyrical celebration of possibility and pride.
Brow Sugar Baby
By Kevin Lewis, Illustrated by Jestenia Southerland
Brown Sugar Baby is a popular series of board books celebrating the love within an African American family, featuring lyrical rhymes and charming illustrations by Jestenia Southerland. The books, like the original Brown Sugar Baby, Brown Sugar Baby Christmas Joy, and Brown Sugar Baby Sweetest Love, focus on themes of family, unconditional love, and cultural traditions, making them ideal for young children and caregivers.
I Am So Brave!
By Stephen Krensky, Illustrated by Sara Gillingham
I Am So Brave! is a children's board book that celebrates overcoming childhood fears, like big dogs, water, and the dark, by turning them into new experiences and small victories. It's part of the "Empowerment Series" and uses simple, encouraging text and retro-fresh illustrations to highlight the milestones of growing up.
Baby, Young, Gifted, and Black
By Jamia Wilson, Illustrated by Andrea Pippins
Baby Young, Gifted, and Black is a vibrant board book by Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins, inspired by Nina Simone's song, that celebrates Black excellence by introducing babies and toddlers to historical and contemporary Black heroes (leaders, artists, athletes) through simple affirmations, colorful illustrations, and a mirror on the last page to encourage self-belief and potential in young Black children.
