Books by Black Canadian Authors for Black History Month and beyond!
This Black History Month check out this list of books by black Canadian authors for readers of all ages. This could be the perfect time to introduce new themes and characters into your home library!
Books for kids:
My Hair is Beautiful by Shauntay Grant Published by Nimbus Publishing Limited
Award winning author, poet and performer from Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia), encourages self-love and self-expression in this book for kids ages 0-3. Her exciting and engaging words celebrate natural hair and its beauty. She also wrote Africville about the underreported story of the Black community Africville, located in Halifax. The vibrant community thrived for more than 150 years before being demolished by the government in the 1960s. The story is brought to life through the imaginative eyes of a young and curious little girl.
A Likkle Miss Lou by Nadia Hohn Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes Published by Owlkids
Toronto educator and children’s book author writes a colourful picture book about Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett Coverley, a Jamaican poet known for bringing international attention to Jamaican patois. Nadia’s new book Maliakas surprise comes out this March, and is a part of a series following a sweet little girl Malaika and the big surprise of a new sibling, teaching children about love within families of all kinds.
The Dragon Thief by Zetta Elliot Illustrated by Geneva B. Published by Random House
This imaginative book for readers aged 8-12 is the second in the instalment of the middle-grade series Dragons in a Bag, following the fantasy adventures of young Jaxon and his exciting life with dragons. Jaxon sets off to find out the shocking identity of the dragon thief. Zetta Elliot, a poet, teacher and writer, born in Ajax, Ontario, writes books to set a young readers imagination on fire.
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe Published by Balzer + Bray
Raised in Montreal, writer and educator Ben Philippe’s, book follows Norris Kaplan a wisecracking black French Canadian teen who’s in for a major culture shock when his family moves to Texas. This awarding winning book depicts the typical teen and his challenges with high school cliques and adjusting to something new with his fellow high schoolers( for readers aged 13 and up).
Books for adults:
The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole Published by Doubleday Canada
Journalist and activist Desmond Cole looks at what it’s like to live in Canada as a black person. Using the stories that made headlines across the country in 2017 this book chronicles Cole’s personal journalism, activism and experiences in relation to these events; including refugees crossing the Canada-U.S. border in the middle of winter and the death of Somali-Canadian at the hands of the Ottawa police.
Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard Published by Fernwood Publishing
Scholar and activist Robyn Maynard’s book debunks the myth of Canada as a multicultural beacon, retracing a history of anti-Black racism in Canada, from slavery and segregation to modern-day police violence. Considered a mandatory reading for all Canadian classrooms, this book uses an accessible approach to unpacking systemic racism and start the process of un –learning a history that was passed down.
Land to Light On by Dionne Brand Published by McClelland & Stewart
This collection of poetry by Brand won the Governor General’s Literary Award for poetry. Land to Light On explores living in Canada against the backdrop of Black suffering, while questioning the past and possible future. Themes include being an outsider to a new land and the feelings of being uncomfortable with the self and others in such an environment.
Frying Plantain by Zalika Reid-Benta Published by Astoria
A rich and unforgettable story of growing up between worlds, where a young girl battles with her Canadian nationality and her desire to be a “true” Jamaican. In her world she learns that sometimes friendship and love can turn to hate, protection can become control, and teasing can turn to something much darker. Zalika Reid-Benta’s debut fiction novel depicts the conflict that can exist between mothers and daughters, from different generations living in a predominately white society and identifying as Black.
Things Are Good Now by Djamila Ibrahim Published by Astoria
This powerful story features women, men, and children who’ve crossed continents in search of a better life but find themselves dealing with challenges around displacement and religious and cultural clashes in their new homes. Set in East Africa, the Middle East, Canada, and the U.S. this story examines the weight of the migrant experience on the human psyche.
Happy reading!!