Where to find African Children's Books
Where to find African Children's Books
Where can I find African Children’s books?
Recently, I visited my local Barnes & Noble in search of a children’s book by an African author, but I came up empty-handed. While I found several titles by African-American authors, there were none by authors from Africa. I tried a smaller independent bookstore in Houston, hoping for a better result, but the story was the same.
Rather than diving into the many reasons African children's books are hard to find in local bookstores, I’d like to highlight a few fantastic online resources I discovered. Some I found through my own research, while others were recommended by parents of African children, families with kids in international schools, expats, and educators who value diverse, global perspectives in children’s literature.
Kunda Kids is an award-winning children's EdTech and Media company. They have a plethora of African children's books with fun stories that foster literacy, bolster self-esteem and celebrate Africa's rich history and diverse culture.
The Children’s Africana Book Awards encourages the publication of children’s books that contribute to a better understanding of African societies and issues. Africa Access and the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association (ASA) created CABA in 1991 to encourage the publication and use of accurate, balanced children’s materials about Africa.
Children’s Africana Website Click Here
Rebekah Gienapp is a writer, activist and educator passionate about diversity and literacy. She put together a phenomenal list of engaging children's books by African authors.
Rebekah Giehapp’s Website Click Here
As a budding children's book author, I’m writing my own African children's book series. The first installment 'Jama and the Search for Courage' came out in February 2025 and is available on Amazon.
Author Sanyu’s Website Click Here
Jama and the Search for Courage Available here
Our Ancestories is passionate about contributing to the preservation of African heritage and culture through captivating African children's books. They share stories on pre-colonial African legends and provide engaging activities for kids to explore specific African cultures.
Our Ancestories African Childrens Book List Click Here