black history · black history month · book · bookish · books · books we love · history · Learn · learning ·Oct 25, 2022

Black History Month - Celebrate with Books and More!

It’s Black History Month and a time to reflect on Black history, present and future!

Why do we celebrate Black History Month?

Historically Black lives and accomplishments have been ignored and at times stolen and accredited to others. Black History and certain key parts of British History have been neglected and left out of the school curriculum. This is why Black History Month UK has been marked every October since 1987, in order to celebrate the achievements of Black Britons.

Black History what can you do?

We at Yes Bebe celebrate diversity and inclusion in all its forms, and Black History Month is no different. We encourage you to integrate diversity into your lives and use October as an opportunity to learn something new about Black History. What can you do during this month? Add relevant reading books to your collection, support black businesses and join in with any local celebrations that might be happening this month. You can also talk to your schools about whether they do anything to celebrate or how they incorporate Black History into the curriculum it is equally important history that needs to be taught to our children. It is so important for us to take these steps in order to stamp out the racism and inequality that still goes on to this day.

Did you know that?

Black workers with degrees earn 23.1 per cent less on average than White workers.
Black people who leave school with A-levels typically get paid 14.3 per cent less than their White peers.
Rates of prosecution and sentencing for Black people were three times higher than for White people. 18 per thousand population compared with six per thousand population for White people.

You can find out more here.

Baby and Toddler books to celebrate Black History

Baby Young, Gifted, and Black : with a mirror!

"There are so many things I am and can be... There's a whole world waiting for me." Introduce your baby to Black excellence with this lyrical board-book edition of Young, Gifted and Black. Includes a mirror at the back so young dreamers can see themselves next to their heroes. Meet icons of colour from past and present in this baby board book celebration of inspirational achievement. A collection of positive, yet simple, affirmations to encourage the next generation. Highlighting the talent of Black leaders and changemakers from around the world. Young dreamers will develop confidence, self-assurance, and self-belief.

Antiracist Baby

With bold illustrations and thoughtful, yet playful, text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society. This edition includes additional discussion prompts to help readers recognise and reflect on bias in their daily lives.

Books for 3 Year old+

Little People Big Dreams Collection of Books

Little People, BIG DREAMS: Black Voices : 3 books from the best-selling series! Maya Angelou - Rosa Parks - Martin Luther King Jr. This boxed gift set of three hardcover books from the internationally best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series introduces little dreamers to the lives of these leaders and trailblazers. They stepped up and changed the world. In these remarkable true stories, learn how three people stood against injustice and fought for their dream of a better world. Maya overcame her trauma to tell the story of being Black in America, becoming one of the century's most influential and visionary writers. Martin grew up in the harsh world of segregation, and came to show the world that the best weapon against hate is love.

Books for 5 Year Old+

Timelines from Black History Book Front Cover

Timelines from Black History : Leaders, Legends, Legacies Erased. Ignored. Hidden. Lost. Underappreciated. No longer. Delve into the unique, inspiring, and world-changing history of Black people. Stunning thematic timelines also explain the development of Black history. From the experiences of black people in the US, to the story of postcolonial Africa. Did you know that the richest person ever to have lived was a West African? Or that the technology that made the lightbulb possible was developed by African American inventor, and not Thomas Edison? What did you know? This book is sure to fill you with new facts! African and Caribbean Folktales, Myths and Legends Enjoy a rich collection of folktales, myths and legends from all over Africa and the Caribbean, re-told for young readers. From the trickster tales of Anansi the spider, to the story of how the leopard got his spots; from the tale of the king who wanted to touch the moon, to Aunt Misery's magical starfruit tree. This book includes traditional favourites and classic folktales and mythology. A wonderful collection of stories which will be enjoyed for many years to come.

Folktales, Myths and Legends Front Cover of Book

African and Caribbean Folktales, Myths and Legends

Enjoy a rich collection of folktales, myths and legends from all over Africa and the Caribbean, re-told for young readers. From the trickster tales of Anansi the spider, to the story of how the leopard got his spots; from the tale of the king who wanted to touch the moon, to Aunt Misery's magical starfruit tree.

This book includes traditional favourites and classic folktales and mythology. A wonderful collection of stories which will be enjoyed for many years to come.

Books to Celebrate Black History for 10 Years+

This Book Is Anti-Racist Journal : Over 50 activities to help you wake up, take action, and do the work Over 50 activities to help you wake up, take action, and do the work. An essential volume to understand anti-racism. Now, in the journal companion, understand your anti-racist self and dive further into the work. Within the vibrantly illustrated pages, you will find some familiar information along with new reflections and prompts to go deeper.

Joyful, Joyful : Stories Celebrating Black Voices

A gorgeous collection of stories and poems celebrating joy, showcasing 40 talented Black writers and artists from across the world. Curated by British Book Awards Illustrator of the Year Dapo Adeola, with a foreword by the acclaimed Patrice Lawrence. Joyful, Joyful is a book to sing about.

A large hardback packed full of colourful illustrations, Joyful, Joyful: Stories Celebrating Black Voices is the perfect gift to spread joy. With stories featuring a mythical whale, a message from the future, a Halloween dance competition, a talking book, a miraculous discovery in a moment of lost hope, the joy of Jollof rice and much more.

This newly published book from Dapo Adeola is perfect for this month and all year round. An inspiring role model to everyone out there.

Philly & Friends

Lastly we want to show you this incredible brand. Founded in 2019, Philly & Friends was inspired by my daughter, whose nickname is Philly. I wanted to create a black children's character that kids everywhere could love and identify with. One who is strong, confident and happy, goes on adventures, laughs from within and loves wholeheartedly with tight hugs and lots of kisses. Philly & Friends was born out of a desire to see children grow up to see beauty in themselves and others, to believe they can be anything they want to be. I firmly believe representation matters - all children deserve to see themselves and others represented in the books they read, the toys they play with, and the media they consume. With beautiful dolls they are a perfect gift for little ones.

Check out our Black History Section here for many more incredible authors and illustrators. We would love to hear from you too. Which books are inspiring for you for Black History Month? Have you got some favourites on your bookshelf? Tell us in the comments.