Six NEW Children’s Books for Animal-Lovers by Black Authors
February 20th, 2025
This year, we’re highlighting animal-themed children’s books by Black authors to honor Black History Month 2025! For animal-lovers from all backgrounds, these books have been added to our RedRover Readers humane reading list as great stories to read with your students or children.
Diverse representation in children’s literacy benefits students’ overall social and emotional health by allowing children to see themselves represented as protagonists in stories. Diverse stories also help begin important conversations and introduce classrooms and students to different cultures and people from around the world. Highlighting and supporting diverse authorship in humane-themed literature can help create a more equitable world for both children and animals.
1. Emily-Rose’s Day at The Farm
Emily-Rose finally gets to feed the animals on her Grammy’s farm, but Emily-Rose finds that it is not as fun as she thinks it is. Learn more on GoodReads.
2. Rocket Says Clean Up!
Written by Nathan Bryon | Illustrated by Dapo Adeola
Recommended for ages 3-7
Plucky science-lover Rocket returns in another inspiring picture book about getting a community to notice the world around them, and, in this book, to CLEAN UP! their shoreline. Rocket is off to the islands to visit her grandparents. Her family loves nothing better than to beach comb and surf together…but the beach is clogged with trash! When she finds a turtle tangled in a net, Rocket decides that something must be done! Learn more on GoodReads.
3. Buddy Heads for Home
Written by Mildred C. Glover
Recommended for ages 4 and up
The storm-blown rain pounded against the shed like the drum line in a marching band…Whistling winds sped through the cracks in the walls…Buddy shivered with fright, curled up on a warm blanket in a corner, and prepared to brave the storm alone.’ Follow new author Mildred Glover as she takes you through the streets of New Orleans, to a shelter in Las Vegas, and finally, to Beaufort, South Carolina, as Buddy Heads for Home.
Learn more on GoodReads.
4. Black Cat
Recommended for ages 4-8
On an eye-opening journey through urban landscapes, a stray black cat leaps, listens, and dances to the city’s pulsating beats while searching for a home. Cool hip-hop rhythms and innovative collage artwork combine to create a book layered with meaning about identity, beauty, and home. Full color.
Learn more on GoodReads.
5. Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage
Written by Jerdine Nolen | Illustrated by James E. Ransome
Recommended for ages 5-9
“There was nothing civil about that war. They should have called it what it a big, bad war.” In this inspiring story in the tradition of American black folktales, an enslaved brother and sister are inspired by a majestic and mysterious bird to escape to freedom in this dramatic and unforgettable picture book. Learn more on GoodReads.
6. Kele’s Secret
Written by Tololwa M. Mollel | Illustrated by Catherine Stock
Recommended for ages 6-8
A young Tanzanian boy named Yoanes overcomes his fear of the scariest place on his grandparents’ farm, the spooky shed, when he follows Kele, his grandmother’s hen, to see where she lays her eggs. Learn more on GoodReads.
