The theme for this year’s Black History Month is African-Americans and Labor. Let’s explore how African-Americans have worked to help shape the world! From hardworking laborers and skilled professionals to community organizers and creative thinkers, Black people have played pivotal roles in the development of families, communities, and entire nations. This year’s theme highlights how Black American efforts—both paid and unpaid, skilled and unskilled—have left a lasting impact on history. Through the books featured in this space this month, children can discover the important contributions of Black people in areas such as education, agriculture, industry, and social justice.

This week, let’s dig into books about work, children, and families. In this list, children work with their families, or they learn about the careers of family members.

Ages 0-3

Baby Goes to Market. (Author: Atinuke. Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank) A baby boy sees many sellers working in an African marketplace. The sellers give him gifts without Mama seeing. The book reinforces counting from one to five.

Ages 3-8

Mommy is the Mayor. (Author: Letitia Clark. Illustrator: Sarah K. Turner.) By watching her Mommy serve as her town’s mayor, a little girl learns about the importance of local government, representation, and giving back to her community.

Sydney’s Big Speech. (Author: Malcolm Newsome. Illustrator: Jade Orlando.) A little girl works hard with her dad to develop the confidence to give a speech in school about what she will be when she grows up.

The Best Tailor in Pinbauê. (Author: Eymard Toledo) A little boy helps his uncle work as a tailor and to build a new business when he’s no longer needed to sew work uniforms.

Pink Cupcakes for a Cause. (Author: Arriel Biggs. Illustrator: Sameer Kassar) A little girl bakes cupcakes and starts her own business to help raise money for her mom’s cause.

A Boy, a Budget, and a Dream. (Author: Jasmine Paul. Illustrator: Jose Nieto) A boy’s sister teaches him that budgeting and planning can help him achieve his dream for the summer.

Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention. (Author: Pip Jones. Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie) With her grandfather's encouragement, a little girl works hard to develop an invention that will win the prestigious Invention Convention.

The Last Stand. (Author: Antwan Eady. Illustrator: Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey) A young boy works with his Papa at the farm to gather produce, eggs, and other products to see at the family’s farm stand, the last in the area.

Help Wanted Must Love Books. (Author: Janet Summer Johnson. Illustrator: Courtney Dawson) When Dad gets a new job that interferes with bedtime reading, a little girl posts a job for a new reader. Will any of the fairytale applicants seem just right?

My Mom is a Construction Manager. (Author: The Darden Kids.Illustrator: Princess Karibo.) Children discuss the path that led to their mother becoming a construction manager and describe her responsibilities in that role.

Build a House. (Author: Rhiannon Giddens. Illustrator: Monica Mikai) This illustrated version of a Juneteenth song shows the hardships and joy that a family experiences when they leave slavery in search of a better, free life.

Saturday. (Author: Oge Mora) A little girl loves spending Saturday with her mom, because it’s her only day off from work, but this Saturday, everything seems to go wrong.

Ava & Mae The Fabulous Fashion Show. (Author: Brittney Dias. Illustrator: Iman Purnell.) Sisters, Ava and Mae, work with their aunt to develop the designs for and organize a neighborhood fashion show.

Our Story Starts in Africa. (Author: Patrice Lawrence. Illustrator: Jeanetta Gonzales.)A little girl learns about African history and the triumphs and struggles of the African diaspora from her aunt.

Granny’s Vintage Camera. (Author: Jasmine Paul. Illustrator: Jose Nieto.) A little girl saves up to buy her own camera, just like Granny’s, and learns a valuable lesson in the process.

Daddy Goes to Work. (Author: Jabari Asim. Illustrator: Aaron Boyd.) A little girl goes to work with her daddy to learn about his career.

Before the Ships. (Author: Maisha Oso. Illustrator: Candice Bradley.) This book celebrates African achievements, families, and cultures before the Transatlantic slave trade.

Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be.(Author: Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Halcyon Person. Illustrator: Parker-Nia Gordon) A girl works with her dad to write a hip-hop song for his birthday.