African American Identity & Everyday Life: Books for Babies & Toddlers

Logo shows the words, "For Kids" in bold text surrounded by stars.

Babies and toddlers enjoy looking at faces in books. When we share pictures of people of diverse races and cultures, seeing positive images of different looks, lives and experiences can help children feel good about themselves and those around them. When babies and toddlers feel connected to racially diverse characters, positive racial identity development can begin. To learn more about positive racial identity development in early education, take a look at the Understanding PRIDE in Pittsburgh report.

Antiracist Baby

Illustrations and rhyming text present nine steps kids can take to improve equity, such as opening our eyes to all skin colors and celebrating all our differences. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.


Baby Says

baby and big brother figure out how to get along.


Homemade Love

A girl who is Girlpie to her mama and Honey Bun Chocolate Dewdrop to her daddy savors the warmth and love of her family.



I Love All of Me

Rhyming text and colorful illustrations remind young readers to love everything about themselves, from the tops of their heads to the tips of their toes.



Leo Gets a Checkup

When Dad takes Leo to visit the doctor, Leo learns to wait his turn, sit quietly while his eyes and ears are checked, and be brave during a shot.


Love Is a Truck

Celebrates a child’s love for a variety of trucks, from fire engines to cement mixers to ice cream trucks.


Nighttime Symphony

Baby falls asleep to a thunderstorm in the city, where all of the sounds blend together into a lullaby.


Puppy Truck

Carter gets a truck instead of a much-wanted puppy, but he soon discovers his new toy is just as fun and rascally as a pet. This title is also available as an eBook on OverDrive/Libby.


Welcome, Precious

Illustrations and text welcome a new baby to some of life’s delights, from “the glistening mystery of soap bubbles” to “the swish of leaves in the breeze.”



Woke Baby

A lyrical and empowering book that celebrates both what it means to be a baby and what it means to be woke. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.