Over 30 Amazing Black Childrens Illustrators To Check Out ASAP

30+ Incredible Black Children’s Book Illustrators

Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano

2:55 pm

06/11/20

Christian Robinson, Photographed by Michelle Drewes

Need some fresh inspiration for your summer reading stack? We’ve got you covered. Below, we’re celebrating 30 Black illustrators whose stunning artworks have brought to life hundreds of incredible children’s books in a variety of spellbinding styles. From award-winning superstars who’ve been illustrating for decades (hello, E.B. Lewis and Pat Cummings!), to rising talents in the field (like Christian Robinson and Keturah A. Bobo), we’re putting some faces, names, and stories to some of the most vibrant kid-lit artwork around. If these talented folks aren’t already mainstays on your child’s bookshelf, we’re confident you’ll discover dozens of soon-to-be-favorites below.

Is an illustrator you love missing from our list? Feel free to let us know in the comments below, as we’ll be updating this list regularly!

Click any image to enter the slideshow

Vanessa Brantley-Newton was born during the Civil Rights movement, and attended school in Newark, NJ, before heading to SVA and FIT in New York to study children's illustration and fashion design (respectively). The New York Times best-selling illustrator—who has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award, amongst other impressive feats—uses her work to celebrate self-love and acceptance of all cultures, with the aim of inspiring young readers to find their own voices. For her 2020 book Just Like Me, Vanessa—who is currently based in North Carolina—played both illustrator and author! Shop Vanessa Brantley-Newton books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Vanessa at @vanessabrantleynewton on Instagram and VanessaBrantleyNewton.com. Watch Vanessa read Just Like Me on PBS Kids' YouTube page. ">: Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Christian Robinson first made a splash on the children's lit scene in 2015 with his vibrant illustrations for Matt de la Peña's Last Stop on Market Street. Since then he's been named a 2016 Caldecott Honoree and received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor and a Newbery Medal, amongst many other accolades. Recently the New York Times best-selling illustrator has added "author" to his resumé, thanks to his solo projects Another and the just-released You Matter. Shop Christian Robinson books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Christian at @theartoffun on Instagram and TheArtofFun.com. Be sure to read our "The Bookshelf" profile on Christian here and catch him reading his latest book You Matter on PBS Kids' YouTube page.">: Christian Robinson

Little Leaders series, which celebrates Black men and women who've made history, as well as her kid-lit collabs with Lupita Nyong'o (Sulwe) and Matthew Cherry (Hair Love). Born of Caribbean heritage (something she's explored in her films), Harrison now dwells in Brooklyn, but studied in California and Virginia (where she was raised). In a recent New York Times profile of her light-soaked studio, Vashti hinted at a YA book in the near future. "I would very much like to do a middle-grade book, to both write and illustrate it, so I’m trying to absorb all the exciting books, the popular ones," she said. "I want to do a highly illustrated middle-grade fantasy novel about a child of color." Can't wait! Shop Vasthi Harrison's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Vashti at @vashtiharrison on Instagram and vashtiharrison.com. ">: Vashti Harrison

New York Times best-selling illustrator whose first children's title was I Am Enough (2016), penned by Grace Byers. The Ohio native has illustrated a handful of other children's books since them, including I Am Enough's powerful follow-up, I Believe I Can, which came out earlier this year. "As an artist it is my duty to make art that inspires, uplifts, and advocates for my community," she recently told The Brown Bookshelf. "Nothing is more important in my art than this." Shop Keturah A. Bobo's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Keturah at @keturahariel on Instagram and keturahariel.com.">: Keturah A. Bobo

Olu's Dream and We March, which he wrote himself, and collaborations with celebrity authors like Taye Diggs (Chocolate Me! & Mixed Me!) Holly Robinson Peete (My Brother Charlie), and Shaquille O'Neal (Shaq And The Magic Beanstalk). The Kansas City, Missouri dweller is also a musician, songwriter, and founder of local community space Dream Studio. If your kiddos watch Disney+, you might also recognize Shane's bold illustrations from the program "Shanna Show" as well as the spin-off "Shane's Kindergarten Countdown." Shop Shane Evans' books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Shane at @shaneevans on Instagram and shaneevans.com.">: Shane W. Evans

Bird, written by Zetta Elliott). Before setting off on her own, the Syracuse and SVA graduate was lucky enough to work with legendary artists Pat Cummings and Christopher Myers. Now, in addition to her kid-lit illustrations, Shadra teaches illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, and sells her beautiful and whimsical art prints via Etsy. Her first picture book that's she's authored herself is called Jump In and will be published by Bloomsbury in 2021. Shop Shadra Strickland's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Shadra at @shadrieka on Instagram and etsy.com/shop/shadrieka.">: Shadra Strickland

Jazzy Miz Mozetta by Brenda C. Roberts. The artist, who works in watercolor and acrylic, lives in Atlanta with his wife and five children. (Bio via Bookshop). Shop Frank Morrison's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Frank at @frankmorrison on Instagram and MorrisonGraphics.com. ">: Frank Morrison

Kaylani Juanita is an illustrator based in Fairfield, CA whose speciality is inclusive picture books. As she tells it, her mission as an artist "is to support the stories of the under represented and create new ways for people to imagine themselves." A femme queer herself, Kaylani's beautiful illustrations fill the 2019 picture book When Aiden Became A Brother, about a trans boy who comes out to his family and also becomes a big brother. Shop Kaylani Juanita's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Kaylani at @kaylanijuanita and at KaylaniJuanita.com. ">: Kaylani Juanita

Brittany "Bea" Jackson is an award-winning illustrator who currently resides in Detroit. Her most recent children's title is the #1 best-selling book Parker Looks Up, written by mom-and-daughter duo Jessica and Parker Curry, and is based off of a headline-making photograph of a young girl (Parker) staring up in awe at Michelle Obama's portrait at the National Portrait Gallery. "It’s my job to dream, and imagine and bring ideas to life, mine and those of others," says Bea of her work. Shop Brittany Jackson's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Brittany at beagifted.com. ">: Brittany Jackson

Construction Site on Christmas Night, Cookiesaurus Rex), chapter books (such as the Magic Tree House and Commander In Cheese series), and YA covers. He currently lives in Texas with his wife and two sons. Shop AG Ford's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow AG at @agfordart on Instagram and AGFordIllustration.com. ">: AG Ford

Princess Hair and Don't Touch My Hair (both published by Little Brown for Young Readers), amongst other kid-centric titles. In addition to illustrating the A Shai & Emmy Story chapter book series, written by teen actress Wuvenzhané Wallis, Sharee is currently working on Michelle’s Garden, the story of Michelle Obama and the White House garden, to be published in Spring 2021. Shop Sharee Miller's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Sharee at @coilyandcute on Instagram and ShareeMiller.com. ">: Sharee Miller

Kadir Nelson is an award-winning artist based in Los Angeles. After graduating from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, he moved to the West Coast to work with Steven Spielberg on the visuals for Oscar-nominated film Amistad, as well as the animated feature Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Kadir has won numerous awards for his stunning, often historically referenced imagery that's graced dozens of children's books. While Kadir sometimes wears both the author and illustrator hat, he's also known for collaborating with famous authors including Will Smith, Spike and Tonya Lee, and Delores Jordan, mother of NBA great Michael Jordan. Shop Kadir Nelson's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Kadir at @kadirnelson on Instagram and kadirnelson.com. ">: Kadir Nelson

Pat Cummings was born in Chicago but grew up traveling with her military family all over the world. She has been writing and illustrating children's books since she graduated from Pratt Institute and is the author and/or illustrator of more than 40 books. In addition to her art for the Coretta Scott King Award winner My Mama Needs Me (1983), by Mildred Pitts Walter, Pat's luminous work includes Angel Baby (2000), Clean Your Room, Harvey Moon! (1994), and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Talking With Artists (1992). She currently lives in Brooklyn and teaches children's book illustration and writing at Parsons School of Design, the New School, and Pratt Institute. (Bio excerpted from Bookshop) Shop Pat Cummings' books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Pat at PatCummings.com.">: Pat Cummings

Chicken, as well as a publishing company called AlannaMax. Shop Ken Wilson-Max's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Ken at @kenwilsonmax on Twitter and theillustrationist.com and kenwilsonmax.myportfolio.com. ">: Ken Wilson-Max

Hidden Figures (2018), written by Margot Lee Shetterly, was recognized with an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children, and reached the New York Times best-seller list, amongst other accolades. She has illustrated over 30 children's books, including the chapter book series The Carver Chronicles, and her illustrations also grace a variety of publications and products. Laura currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and two sons. (Bio excerpted from Amazon) Shop Laura Freeman's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Laura at @laurafreemanart on Instagram and LFreemanArt.com. ">: Laura Freeman

Oge Mora grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from RISD with a degree in illustration. Her debut picture book, Thank You, Omu!, was a Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner, Ezra Jack Keats Book Award recipient, and a New York Times Notable Book and Editors' Choice. She has since published Saturday, which she also penned, and The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read, written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard. All Oge's creations feature her signature bold collage work, which comes from mixing mediums. "I paint papers, I scan textures, Photoshop them, and print them out," she explains. "I cut up old book jackets, sewing patterns, even old paintings—as far as I am concerned, everything is game collage-wise." Shop Oge Mora's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Oge at @oge_mora on Instagram and OgeMora.com. ">: Oge Mora

Tar Beach, Ringgold's first book for children, won the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration and was named a Caldecott Honor Book. Ringgold is now a professor of art at the University of California at San Diego, and splits her time between California and New Jersey. (Bio via Bookshop) Shop Faith Ringgold's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Faith at FaithRinggold.com.">: Faith Ringgold

Ashley Bryan, now 96, is a living legend. He grew up the second of six children (who would later be joined by three cousins), living in a crowded Bronx apartment. His parents were descendants of West African slaves from Antigua, and he began drawing early. At 5 years old, Ashley's kindergarten teacher and parents marveled at his work as an “author, illustrator, publisher, and distributor” of his very own ABC book. He went on to study various art forms in college and served in WWII, facing discrimination along the way, but never ceasing to create. He wrote about this journey in the 2019 book Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace, which won a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award. After returning to the U.S. after the war and working as an art educator for decades, Ashley's kid-lit illustration work, for which he's won numerous accolades, started to pick up in the 2000's. Shop Ashley Bryan's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Ashley at AshleyBryanCenter.org.">: Ashley Bryan

Ekua Holmes is a native of Massachusetts who has devoted her practice to sustaining contemporary Black Art traditions in Boston, as an artist, curator of exhibitions, and as an active member of the local art community. While growing up in Boston, Holmes was profoundly influenced by what she saw was an absence of positive Black images and believed that art could fill this void. Holmes became the founder and director of The Great Black Art Collection, providing a platform for emerging artists while introducing Black art to new audiences. In particular Holmes held an affinity for other women artists, who like her, often put aside their artistic talents to take on conventional jobs to raise their children and help to sustain their families. Her contributions to children's literature, which include vibrant illustrations of civil rights issues, have won her a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Most recently, her gorgeous artwork is featured in Black Is A Rainbow Color (2020), written by Angela Joy. Shop Ekua Holmes' books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Ekua at EkuaHolmes.com. ">: Ekua Holmes

Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow E.B. at eblewis.com.">: E.B. Lewis

Robert Liu Trujillo uses his bilingual books to tell important stories of diversity and acceptance. His recent foray into children's books includes his debut solo project, Furqan's First Flat Top (2016), which chronicles a haircut, followed by One of A Kind, Like Me (2016), the story of a young boy who wants to be a princess, and Sam! (2019), a tale about gender identity. The latter two were projects with authors Lauren Mayeno and Dani Gabriel (respectively). The devoted father lives in California with his family. Shop Robert Liu Trujillo's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Robert at @robert_tres on Instagram and robdontstop.com. ">: Robert Liu Trujillo

Elise R. Peterson is a multimedia storyteller with a focus in visual arts and community building. She has illustrated two children's books—How Mamas Love Their Babies and The Nightlife of Jacuzzi Gasket. Both titles showcase Elise's vibrant mixed-media work and explore topics unique to the kid-lit world—including single parenthood, caring for a younger sibling, and parents who are sex workers. As Elise sees it, it's her aim "to continue to use art as a platform for social justice while making art accessible for all through exhibitions of public work and beyond." Shop Elise Peterson's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Elise at @eliserpeterson on Instagram and EliseRPeterson.com. Be sure to check out our previous coverage of Elise here and here.">: Elise R. Peterson

Ebony Glenn enjoys bringing stories to life with playful, whimsical imagery. She has a passion for the arts, great storytelling, and advocating for more diverse narratives in children's books, with an ultimate aim of creating illustrations that will foster a love of reading in young readers. Her joyful illustrations for Mommy's Khimar, authored by Jamila Thompkins-Bigelow, won the title of Best Book of 2018 by NPR. Shop Ebony Glenn's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Ebony at @artsyebby and at EbonyGlenn.com. ">: Ebony Glenn

Bryan Collier had an interest in art at a young age. "At home and at school, I was encouraged to read. I remember the first books with pictures that I read by myself were The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson," he recalls. "I liked the stories, but I really liked the pictures." The Maryland native, who was the youngest of six children, started to paint the world around him as a teen and ended up attending the Pratt Institute on a scholarship. Bryan tried his hand at children's books for seven years before he got his break with the publication of Uptown in 2004 (which went on to win many awards). His latest book is 2020's All Because You Matter, described as a "heart-lifting love letter to black and brown children everywhere." Shop Bryan Collier's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Bryan at BryanCollier.com.">: Bryan Collier

The Great Migration: Journey to the North (2011), winner of the Coretta Scott King Honor Award, a Junior Library Guild Best Book, an NAACP Image Award nominee, a CCBC Best Book, and a Georgia State Children's Book Award nominee. She won the Coretta Scott King Award for her illustrations in Nathaniel Talking and a Coretta Scott King Honor for her illustrations in Night on Neighborhood Street, all written by Eloise Greenfield. She was inducted into the Society of Illustrators in 2001 and into the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent in 1999. (Bio excerpted from Bookshop) Shop Dr. Jan Spivey Gilchrist's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Jan at JanSpiveyGilchrist.com.">: Dr. Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Walter Dean Myers, award-winning illustrator Christopher Myers credits his appreciation of the importance of images to observing the objects and photographs his parents would bring home from auctions and flea markets, which he dubbed “little histories” and “other people's memories that get left behind.” A graduate of Brown University, Christopher now lives in Brooklyn and has participated in the exclusive Whitney Museum of American Art Independent Studio Program. He began his children's book career doing research to help his father, and went on to illustrate the elder Myers' Shadow of the Red Moon. In 1998, the two collaborated on Harlem, which was named a Caldecott Honor Book as well as a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. Myers' solo effort, Black Cat (1999), was also a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. In addition to his work in kid-lit, Christopher is a fine artist and clothing designer. (Bio excerpted from Scholastic) Shop Christopher Myers' books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Christopher at @kalyban on Instagram and kalyban.com. ">: Christopher Myers

Natacha Bustos is bringing some much needed diversity to the comic book world through her character Lunella Lafayette, a.k.a. Moongirl. “When I was growing up, I didn’t have a reference point,” Bustos—the offspring of a Chilean father and Afro-Brazilian mother—explained in a 2016 interview. “The only person like that was Storm in X-Men, and I was like ‘Wow, I love Storm!’ But that was it.” Natacha, who's based in Spain, helped develop the Moongirl character in 2016, and now has several Moongirl comics under her belt, as well as a GLAAD Award nomination for her work. Shop Natacha Bustos's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Natacha at @natachabustos on Instagram and Marvel.com. ">: Natacha Bustos

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten (2018), written by Laura Veirs. Two years later, she published her debut book as an author-illustrator—Stop Telling Women to Smile: Stories of Street Harassment and How We're Taking Back Our Power, based on her street art series. Shop Tatyana Fazlalizadeh's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Tatyana at @tlynnfaz on Instagram and tlynnfaz.com.">: Tatyana Fazlalizadeh

Gordon C. James is best known in the kid-lit world for illustrating the critically acclaimed Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (2017), by Derrick Barnes, which received a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, an Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor, the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers, and a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. He also illustrated Let 'Er Buck!: George Fletcher, the People's Champion (2019), by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, and his most recent book, the soon-to-be-released I Am Every Good Thing (September, 2020) is already a #1 best-seller. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and two children. Shop Gordon C. James' books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Gordon at @gordoncjamesfineart on Instagram and GordonCJames.com. ">: Gordon C. James

Daria Peoples-Riley is the 2018 recipient of the Sonia Lynn Sadler Award for Illustration. The prize was given to her for her debut book, This Is It, the story of a brave young dancer. Her second book, I Got Next, is a basketball-themed book about hard work, dedication, and the love of the game. In between these two projects, the Vegas-based mother illustrated the kids' book Gloria Takes a Stand: How Gloria Steinem Listened, Wrote, and Changed the World (2019), by Jess Rinker. Shop Daria Peoples-Riley books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Daria at @dariapeoples on Instagram and DariaPeoples.com. ">: Daria Peoples-Riley

Javaka Steptoe started his career off with a bang. His debut work featured in In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers earned him the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, a nomination for Outstanding Children’s Literature Work at the 1998 NAACP Image Awards, a finalist ranking for the Bluebonnet Award for Excellence in Children’s Books, and countless other honors. He's gone on to earn plenty more accolades, including the much celebrated titles Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix and Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, which he authored and illustrated. The son of award-winning author and illustrator John Steptoe, Javaka Steptoe's work utilizes everyday objects, from aluminum plates to pocket lint. "Collage is a means of survival," he has said. "It is how Black folks survived four hundred years of oppression, taking the scraps of life and transforming them into art forms." Shop Javaka Steptoe's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Javaka Steptoe at @javakasteptoe on Instagram and Javaka.com. ">: Javaka Steptoe

Floyd Cooper has over 100 books to his name, plus multiple awards, including a Coretta Scott King Award and NAACP Image Award nomination. Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cooper received a degree in fine arts from the University of Oklahoma and, after graduating, worked as an artist for a major greeting card company. In 1984, he came to New York City to pursue a career as an illustrator of books. The father of two sons now lives in Pennsylvania. “Giving kids a positive alternative to counteract the negative impact of what is conveyed in today’s media is a huge opportunity,” Cooper has remarked of his work. Shop Floyd Cooper's books via Bookshop, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Follow Floyd Cooper at @floyd.cooper.4 on Instagram and FloydCooper.com. ">: Floyd Cooper

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21 comments

Daria Peoples-RileyDecember 8, 2020 7:43PM

I am honored to be included, and I see many more recommendations. I would also add Floyd Cooper, James Ransome, and Javaka Steptoe.

A. ThompsonDecember 9, 2020 10:51PM

不能错过Ngozi UKazu /是谁写的illustrated the YA/Teen series “Check Please”

RebeccaDecember 13, 2020 8:42AM

Good Day!
I would love to see my friend, Nicole Tadgell, added to this list. She is a prolific and beautiful Black artist for children’s books!
Thank you!
Peace
Rebecca

Judy Allen DodsonDecember 13, 2020 4:25PM

Loved your slideshow! Here are two to consider:

Geneva Bowers
https://www.genevab.com/

Jeffery Weatherford

Black GirlDecember 30, 2020 10:34AM

Lovely list. Please don’t forget Mechal Renee Roe and her brand Happy Hair.

Dede CarlstenDecember 30, 2020 4:16PM

Jerry Pinkney – he and his wife and daughter are creating wonderful books.

Lea AschkenasJanuary 10, 2021 5:53PM

Thanks for putting this list together! Another good addition would be Cornelius Van Wright–http://www.corneliusvanwright.com/. Not to be too biased, but he is the illustrator for my debut picture book out next year!

Denise BrownJanuary 12, 2021 4:32PM

Looking for Black illustrator of children’s books based around Balto., DC. , PA, Jersey proximity.
I live in Baltimore.
Project is a Covid-19 children’s book.

Ansley FullerFebruary 4, 2021 8:43PM

I love all of these pictures and I hope to learn more about these amazing people.

N.ColanderFebruary 17, 2021 10:40PM

I’m in search of a black illustrator for my first children’s book. Open to suggestions!