Black History Month is celebrated in February, but Black history encompasses every day from the beginnings of this nation, to today and onto the future. The struggles of the past, as well as the present, should not be ignored or forgotten, however it is equally important to remember and celebrate the joys and triumphs.

Children’s author Kelly Starling Lyons eloquently writes in her blog, “Children’s books showcasing Black joy remind us of the beauty of family, friendship and community. They are touchstones that surround us with the blessing of who we are. In a world that tries to set us back, divide us and push us down at every turn, joy is affirmation, resistance and liberation.” Her post “30 Books for Young Readers that Celebrate Black Joy” is a great resource!

Here are fifty affirming and joyful picture book titles available on OverDrive, Hoopla, and in Westchester libraries. Celebrate #BlackJoy!

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes & Gordon C. James
OverDrive
Library Catalog

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes & Gordon C. James
OverDrive
Library Catalog

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes & Vanessa Brantley-Newton
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

A Story About Afiya by James Berry & Anna Cunha
OverDrive
Hoopla

Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
OverDrive
Library Catalog

I Am Perfectly Designed by Karamo Brown, Jason “Rachel” Brown & Anoosha Syed
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Rocket Says Look Up! by Nathan Bryan & Dapo Adeola
OverDrive
Library Catalog

All Because You Matter by Tami Charles & Bryan Collier
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles & Jacqueline Alcántara
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry & Vashti Harrison
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry & Jessica Curry & Brittany Jackson
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs & Shane W. Evans
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs & Shane W. Evans
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Magnificent Homespun Brown by Samara Cole Duyon & Kaylani Juanita
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari & Patrice Barton
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes & Elizabeth Zunon
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Off to See the Sea by Nikki Grimes & Elizabeth Zunon
OverDrive

Southwest Sunrise by Nikki Grimes & Wendell Minor
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman & Caroline Binch
OverDrive
Library Catalog

My Friend Maya Loves to Dance by Cheryl Willis Hudson & Eric Velasquez
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

That Is My Dream! by Langston Hughes & Daniel Miyares
OverDrive
Library Catalog

A Girl Like Me by Angela Johnson & Nina Crews
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy & Ekua Holmes
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff & Kaylani Juanita
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Every Little Thing by Bob Marley, Cedella Marley & Vanessa Brantley-Newton
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Hands Up! by Breanna McDaniel & Shane W. Evans
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Hip-Hop Lollipop by Susan Montanari & Brian Pinkney
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Saturday by Oge Mora
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Lubaya’s Quiet Roar by Marilyn Nelson & Philemona Williamson
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o & Vashti Harrison
OverDrive
Library Catalog

My Brother Charlie by Ryan Peete, Holly Robinson Peete & Shane W. Evans
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins & Bryan Collier
OverDrive
Library Catalog

On the Ball by Brian Pinkney
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd & Nneka Myers
OverDrive
Library Catalog

I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison & Frank Morrison
OverDrive
Library Catalog

I Got the School Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison & Frank Morrison
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Mary Had a Little Glam by Tammi Sauer & Vanessa Brantley-Newton
OverDrive
Library Catalog

My Nana and Me by Irene Smalls & Cathy Ann Johnson
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Pop Pop and Me and a Recipe by Irene Smalls & Cathy Ann Johnson
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Welcome to the Party by Gabrielle Union & Ashley Evans
OverDrive
Library Catalog

If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed by Denise Vega & Zachariah OHora
OverDrive
Library Catalog

Dream for a Daughter by Carole Boston Weatherford & Brian Pinkney
OverDrive

A Beach Tail by Karen P. Williams & Floyd Cooper
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog

Seeing into Tomorrow by Richard Wright & Nina Crews
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog