Audiobooks for Kids by Black Authors

Stacey’s Extraordinary Words

The Stacey Stories

By: Stacey Abrams
Narrated by: Stacey Abrams
Length: 14 minutes

The debut picture book from iconic voting rights advocate and #1 New York Times bestselling author Stacey Abrams is an inspiring tale of determination, based on her own childhood. Stacey is a little girl who loves words more than anything. She loves reading them, sounding them out, and finding comfort in them when things are hard. But when her... Read more

When Winter Robeson Came

By: Brenda Woods
Narrated by: Keylor Leigh
Length: 2 hours 17 minutes

The whole world seems to transform during the summer of 1965, when Eden’s cousin from Mississippi comes to visit her in L.A. just as the Watts Riots erupt, in this stirring new novel by Coretta Scott King Honor winner Brenda Woods.

When Eden’s cousin Winter comes for a visit, it turns out he’s not just there to sightsee. He wants to figure out... Read more

Sulwe

By: Lupita Nyong'o
Narrated by: Lupita Nyong'o
Length: 13 minutes

A New York Times bestseller!

Recipient of a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award
Recipient of an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Literary Work

From Academy Award–winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.

Sulwe has skin the... Read more

Welcome to the Party

By: Gabrielle Union
Narrated by: Gabrielle Union
Length: 2 minutes

Inspired by the eagerly awaited birth of her daughter, Kaavia James Union Wade, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning actress Gabrielle Union pens a festive and universal love letter from parents to little ones, perfect for welcoming a baby to the party of life!Don't miss this audiobook edition, read by the author... Read more

Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea

By: Meena Harris
Narrated by: Meena Harris
Length: 8 minutes

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY FROM THE CHILDHOOD OF VICE PRESIDENT–ELECT KAMALA HARRIS!
A beautiful, empowering book about two sisters who work with their community to effect change, inspired by a true story from the childhood of the author’s aunt, Kamala Harris, and mother, lawyer and policy expert Maya Harris.Don't miss this audiobook edition, read... Read more

I Promise

By: LeBron James
Narrated by: Gloria James
Length: 4 minutes

An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller! An Instant Indie Bestseller! *An Amazon Best Book of the Year * A B&N Best Book of the Year*A great gift for tiny go-getters and big dreamers, including for back to school!NBA champion and superstar LeBron James pens a slam-dunk book inspired by his foundation’s I PROMISE program that motivates... Read more

I Believe I Can

By: Grace Byers
Narrated by: Grace Byers
Length: 3 minutes

From the New York Times bestselling creator of I Am Enough comes an empowering follow-up that celebrates every child’s limitless potential.Don't miss this audiobook edition, read by the author, Grace Byers!I Believe I Can is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves, from actress and activist Grace... Read more

I Am Every Good Thing

By: Derrick Barnes
Narrated by: Joshua David Scarlett
Length: 4 minutes

An upbeat, empowering, important audiobook from the team that created the award-winning Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

I am
a nonstop ball of energy.
Powerful and full of light.
I am a go-getter. A difference maker. A leader.

The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He's got big plans, and no doubt... Read more

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures

By: Nikki Grimes
Narrated by: Carra Patterson
Length: 4 minutes

A sweet bedtime story from the award-winning author Nikki Grimes about a mother, her little boy, and their imagination-fueled and animal filled journey to get to sleep.

It's bedtime. But Mommy's little one is not sleepy.

He growls like a bear, he questions like an owl, he tosses his mane like a lion. He hunts for water like a sly wolf, and hides... Read more

Saturday

By: Oge Mora
Narrated by: Tracey Leigh
Length: 8 minutes

In this warm and tender story by the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Thank You, Omu!, join a mother and daughter on an up-and-down journey that reminds them of what's best about Saturdays: precious time together.

Today would be special. Today would be splendid. It was Saturday! But sometimes, the best plans don't work out exactly the way you... Read more

Grandma's Purse and Two Other Picture Books

Grandma's Purse; Just Like Me; Becoming Vanessa

By: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Narrated by: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Length: 27 minutes

Three empowering picture books on audio, narrated by author/illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Grandma's Purse: When Grandma Mimi comes to visit, she always brings warm hugs, sweet treats...and her purse. You never know what she'll have in there--fancy jewelry, tokens from around the world, or something special just for her granddaughter. It... Read more

Bedtime Bonnet

By: Nancy Redd
Narrated by: Nancy Redd
Length: 4 minutes

This joyous and loving celebration of family is the first-ever picture book to highlight Black nighttime hair traditions--and is perfect for every little girl who knows what it's like to lose her bonnet just before bedtime.

In my family, when the sun goes down, our hair goes up!
My brother slips a durag over his locs.
Sis swirls her hair in a wrap... Read more

All Because You Matter (An All Because You Matter Book)

By: Tami Charles
Narrated by: Tami Charles
Length: 16 minutes

A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and brown children everywhere: reminding them how much they matter, that they have always mattered, and they always will, from powerhouse rising star author Tami Charles and esteemed, award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier.Instant New York Times bestseller!The #1 Amazon Best Children's Book of 2020A... Read more

The Proudest Blue

A Story of Hijab and Family

The Proudest Blue: Book #1

By: Ibtihaj Muhammad
Narrated by: Ibtihaj Muhammad
Length: 7 minutes

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
A powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad.
With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a... Read more

I Am Enough

By: Grace Byers
Narrated by: Grace Byers
Length: 3 minutes

I Am Enough is the audio edition of the New York Times bestseller everyone needs!This is a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another, from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers.Perfect for mothers and daughters, baby showers, and graduation.We are all here for a purpose. We are more than... Read more

Becoming Vanessa

By: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Narrated by: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Length: 6 minutes

Get ready to go back to school with this inclusive, empathetic story that will help kids new to the classroom transform from timid caterpillars into beautiful butterflies who love exactly who they are!

On Vanessa's first day of school, her parents tell her it will be easy to make friends. Vanessa isn't so sure. She wears her fanciest... Read more

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Leaders & Dreamers: Book #1

By: Vashti Harrison
Narrated by: Robin Miles
Length: 1 hour 38 minutes

This beautifully illustrated board book edition of instant bestseller Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History showcases women who changed the world and is the perfect goodnight book to inspire big dreams.

Featuring 18 trailblazing black women in American history, Dream Big, Little One is the irresistible board book adaptation of Little... Read more

Beautiful Blackbird

By: Ashley Bryan
Narrated by: Myra Lucretia Taylor
Length: 8 minutes

Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan adapted this charming tale from a story told by the Ilaspeaking people of Zambia. All the birds in the forest are jealous of Blackbird, whose black feathers glisten and shine colorfully in the sunbeams. The other birds are a single color from head to foot, and none of them have even a spot of black on... Read more

The Day You Begin

By: Jacqueline Woodson
Narrated by: Jacqueline Woodson
Length: 5 minutes

Jacqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson has created a poignant, yet heartening audiobook about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.

There will be times when you walk into a room
and no one there is... Read more

Firebird

By: Misty Copeland
Narrated by: Misty Copeland
Length: 6 minutes

In her debut book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl--an every girl--whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird.

Lyrical and... Read more