What kids of all ages should be reading for Black History Month (and all year)

This Black History Month – and all year – make sure your bookshelf reflects the diversity of the world. Or take matters into your own hands and write such a book yourself.

For example: George Floyd's murder sparked global Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020. It also sparked an idea in writer-illustrator Dapo Adeola's mind.

Around that time, "I tweeted about how, in children's picture books, we get to discuss a variety of different topics but we never talk about race in a manner that is talking to the people that it affects," Adeola says.

He decided to write such a book and focus on joy amid the pain – "Hey You!: An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black," (Nancy Paulsen Books, out now) – and collaborated with other illustrators to bring his vision to the page. Expect sweet images of children reading in school and listening to music, but also more mature ones of protest and police brutality.

"We touch on things," Adeola says of the heavier topics. "We don't go in-depth. What we're trying to do is we're trying to give parents a gateway to have certain conversations. Children are curious."

Attention, adults:10 must-read Black History Month book recommendations: Cicely Tyson, Angie Thomas and more

George Floyd's murder sparked global Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020. It also sparked an idea in writer-illustrator Dapo Adeola's mind: "Hey You!: An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black."

Political analyst Bakari Sellers had his own 3-year-old toddlers in mind when writing his book, "Who Are Your People?" (Quill Tree Books, out last month). It features images of important figures like Muhammad Ali, Stacey Abrams and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as important moments like former president Barack Obama's campaign and the restaurant sit-in movement.

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