Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
The Big Issue Oasis Collector's edition is coming - sign up so you don't miss out!
SIGN UP
Books

Top 5 kid's picture books with black people in them

Atinuke shares her top five picture books with black people in them and tells us how were received by her own children

Atinuke shares her top 5 black picture books.

Atinuke shares her top 5 black picture books. Image credit: WokinghamLibraries / Pixabay

Children’s author Atinuke fell in love with stories long before falling in love with storytelling.

Born in Nigeria, her father was a lecturer and her mother was an editor. She adored Enid Blyton as a kid and knows how important books can be to a child’s development.

She is the author of the bestselling Anna Hibiscus series, which details the fun adventures of an African child living with her family and having lots of fun.

But black authors are still underrepresented in UK publishing. According to October 2020 research from Sheffield Hallam University, 94 per cent of children’s authors are white.

Here, Atinuke shares her top five picture books with black people in them and tells us how were received by her own children.

Lockdowns have taken income away from hundreds of Big Issue sellers. Support The Big Issue and our vendors by signing up for a subscription.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
81x5KFHsOFL

So Much by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

This was a favourite when my boys were small. Each member of the family comes and does something fun with baby – something that the reader can do too. It gives a lovely sense of the powerful love some extended black families enjoy.

91LuUUs-SfL

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

This is such a gorgeous book – gentle, loving and groundbreaking! It’s so inspiring to have illustrations of the real shapes of women, and to see the relationship between the boy and

his grandmother. The page with the grandmother in swimming class is my favourite!

81EV54ZzT-L

A Story About Afiya by James Berry, illustrated by Anna Cunha

The illustrations in this book are just stunning. I keep staring at them – I can’t put it down. Every little black girl should have this book so she can see how beautiful she is.

51o-nOYs5iL

Coming to England by Floella Benjamin, illustrated by Diane Ewen

This book is so vibrant, the story so moving and relevant to our history, and the pictures so rich and full of life. It is a true piece of British history.

91TQwA3uH3L

Amazing Muslims Who Changed the World  by Burhana Islam, illustrated by Nabi H Ali, Reya Ahmed, Saffa Khan, Aaliya Jaleel, Deema Alawa and Aghnia Mardiyah

This is jam-packed with Muslim people from all eras in history whose discoveries, courage and creativity have made the world a better place! It was written by a teacher at the request of her class.

Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by Atinuke, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu, is out now (Walker Books, £6.99)

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

View all
Labelling toxic masculinity as 'incomprehensible' is a cop out – here's why
Toxic masculinity

Labelling toxic masculinity as 'incomprehensible' is a cop out – here's why

Top 5 books set in rural Canada, chosen by author Tristan Hughes
Books

Top 5 books set in rural Canada, chosen by author Tristan Hughes

Bone Horn by Prudence Bussey-Chamberlain review – a gloriously absurd detective story
Books

Bone Horn by Prudence Bussey-Chamberlain review – a gloriously absurd detective story

In Transit by Brigid Brophy review – decades ahead of its time
Books

In Transit by Brigid Brophy review – decades ahead of its time

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.