30 Kid’s Book Options for Easter Baskets

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30 Kid’s Book Options for Easter Baskets

Share the Love of Reading

Let’s be honest, Easter Baskets are a great fun treat, but your kids can only eat so many Reese Cups before you both lose your minds. Don’t get started on the toys, I’m pretty sure there is plenty of clutter and unused toys laying around to start your own store. How about giving them a gift that will keep giving. Help to improve their imagination and literacy skills and give the gift of reading with books.

We’ve rounded up 30 books from Black Authors, covering everything from kid’s books for beginning readers, to options for middle grade readers. Whether your kid is eating books literally, or just reluctant to put the phone or tablet down, there is something here to give them as a gift.

Quick heads up: while we’ve linked to Amazon for convenience, most of these authors sell directly from their websites—which means more money goes straight to them. Even better? Check our directory of Black-owned bookstores to see if there’s one near you. If not, or if they don’t have what you need, Bookshop.org is clutch for supporting indie bookstores online. You can pick a specific store to support, or they’ll split proceeds among all their partners.

ABC’s of What You Can Be by Raelyn Henderson

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Feed the Ducks with Marlee the Mathematician by Dr. Marielle Myers

Join Marlee as she embarks upon Operation Feed the Ducks. This magical book features counting (by ones and twos), patterns, problem solving, using a calendar, addition, subtraction, and so much more! This engaging book will help you create magical mathematical storytime moments with your little ones.

"Color with Grace" by Grace Kalambay

Let your imagination run wild and use your own colors to bring Grace’s world to life! Complete fun activities that reinforce the importance of obedience as well as highlight important details to always help your child know where home is.

Emmanuel’s Car Will Run by Nathaniel K. Harris

When Emmanuel’s class is given a fun assignment to build box cars, he’s bursting with excitement. But not everyone shares his enthusiasm. Some classmates make fun of him and even throw things at him. Just when he feels like giving up, his teacher reminds him of something powerful: You can rise above, no matter what comes your way.

Lions Never Lose

Brazen the Amazin’ Lion embarks on this rollicking, rhyming adventure of fun-filled sports challenges and learns the value of friendly competition.

Ten Fingers Ten Toes by Yolanda McElroy

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Bokky For Breakfast by Dr. Lisa Curry

Jossie is no ordinary toddler. In fact, mealtime is her absolute favorite time of the day! With a curious mind and a big appetite, Jossie loves to explore the exciting world of food-one delicious bite at a time.

Whether it’s the satisfying crunch of a carrot or the soft sweetness of a ripe banana, every meal is an adventure for Jossie. She enjoys tasting a wide variety of flavors, from the salty to the sweet, the tangy to the savory. But one morning, Jossie throws Mommy a bit of a curveball when she asks for a very unexpected food for breakfast!

Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name by Luvvie Ajayi Jones

In this remarkably relatable picture book, Little Luvvie, the star of Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess, learns that she can be kind even as she stands up for herself, and that learning from mistakes can open her up to making new friends who respect and appreciate her.

Kylah Meets the Bees by Catalina K. Taylor

“Kylah Meets the Bees” is an advanced decodable book that tells the culturally affirming and heartwarming story of a young girl named Kylah who overcomes her fear of bees. With the help of Mrs. Lee, the friendly beekeeper, and her family, Kylah learns about the fascinating world of bees at an urban apiary. Through this adventure, Kylah discovers the importance of bees and gains a newfound appreciation for these amazing insects.

Celebrate We Gullah Geechee by Yvette R Murray

With rhythm and repetition to engage children, five narrators take turns highlighting what they notice in their world, each focusing on one of the five senses.

My Mother is a Superhero by CJ Charles

My Mother is a Superhero Justine believes that her Mother is more than she seems. After all, she has seen her Mother do amazing things.

J.D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillard

J.D. has a big problem–it’s the night before the start of third grade and his mom has just given him his first and worst home haircut. When the steady stream of insults from the entire student body of Douglass Elementary becomes too much for J.D., he takes matters into his own hands and discovers that, unlike his mom, he’s a genius with the clippers. His work makes him the talk of the town and brings him enough hair business to open a barbershop from his bedroom. But when Henry Jr., the owner of the only official local barbershop, realizes he’s losing clients to J.D., he tries to shut him down for good. How do you find out who’s the best barber in all of Meridian, Mississippi? With a GREAT BARBER BATTLE!

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Planting Hope

Everyone in Henry’s family loves plants and gardening. So why can he never get his little plant to grow, no matter how hard he tries? His mom has been able to grow anything since she was young, and even cultivated a whole orchard to help feed people who were hungry. Henry imagines his mother as a great tree, with branches wrapping around the whole community. “People and seeds have a lot in common,” his mom likes to say. “If you want them to grow strong, nourishment and sunlight aren’t enough—they also need hope.” When Henry’s mom becomes sick and it looks like she may not recover, this belief that she’s sown in her son becomes key to what happens next. Frederick Joseph, award-winning author of The Black Friend, offers a bighearted story about keeping hope alive in the face of grief—and a gentle allegory with an upbeat message about healing a fragile planet.

Better than a Touchdown by Jalen Hurts

Jalen is so excited for the new school year because this is the year he’ll finally get to try out for the football team! But when he arrives at school, he learns the unthinkable—that the football team has been cut. He and his friends are devastated. But Jalen isn’t ready to give up, and with some advice from some friends, maybe—just maybe—they can save the day.

Harper Sharp: Kid Detective by Jarrett Williams

Harper Sharp is like most fifth graders—he’s juggling homework, friendships, video games, and…oh yeah, he’s busy solving major mysteries!

When Starview Elementary announces their annual Young Inventor’s Fair, everyone’s minds start whirring. What will they make? A new trading card game? Collectible slugs?

Suddenly, ominous fliers appear all over school, warning kids and teachers to “BEWARE THE FAIR!” Can Harper figure out who’s behind this terrifying threat and foil their nefarious plans? Or will these young inventors’ sparks be extinguished forever?! Find out in the start to the next great graphic novel series sensation!

The Great Birthday Surprise (Harriette of Harlem) by Tanya Wright

Hip, hip, hooray! It’s Hairiette’s Birthday!

With her glowy hair done and the perfect dress picked out, Hairiette is ready for her special seventh birthday present. But on the big day, there is no bike in sight! All she gets is a stinking barrette and comb. It looks like it isn’t going to be a hip hip hooray day after all…until a class unit on imagination changes everything!

What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat? by Akeem Roberts

When Carter’s third-grade class accuses him of killing the class pet, a naked mole rat named Mr. Pebbles who shivers a lot and smells a little funny, can Carter clear his name . . . with the help of Mr. Pebbles’s ghost?

McGill and Lee 1: Invasion of the Mutant Plications by Bridgett McGill

McGill and Lee, two middle-schoolers, get cast in their school’s production of “Math, Mayhem, and Zombie Mathematicians,” only to discover that a real-life Zombie invasion is underway!

Together, the two will utilize their developing skills to outsmart the invaders and save the day.

Where they Gather by Teresa Rodrigues

A newly freed Black couple plant a pecan tree. The tree grows alongside each new generation of their family, weathering various seasons of change from the Jim Crow era to the Civil Rights period and into present day. Through difficult winters and the promise of spring, the tree continues to rise, mirroring the strength, resilience, and celebration of the family throughout time.

Kid X by Tracey Baptiste

Win “Coal” Keegan is starting to get the hang of his new life. He’s come to love his foster family, the McKays, and is getting more confident with his invisibility powers. Almost too confident. At first, he uses his abilities for small favors. But soon, the favors snowball into bigger asks and messier pranks. And when rumors surface about a “ghost” in the neighborhood, Coal realizes it might be best to keep his talents under wraps.

But that gets harder when Coal starts to suspect that someone—or something—might be tracking him. And as the evidence stacks up, Coal realizes he’s not the only one with powers. Is his pursuer friend or foe? What would it be like to meet someone just like him?

E is for Easter Egg Hunt by Brittany Thurman

One of Alfie Bett’s favorite times of year is finally here! Spring is in the air, and the whole neighborhood gathers for a day bursting with Easter fun. But Alfie is not sure he can collect enough eggs to win the Easter egg hunt’s golden egg. Fortunately, his awesome babysitter Quentin is there to hop through the park with him on this sensational search. Will Alfie be the winner?

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Unfunny Bunny by Kenan Thompson

Tomorrow is Bunny’s first day of school, and everything is going to be perfect. All he wants is to be the funniest kid in class and make everyone else laugh. But when Bunny gets there, his jokes fall flat. What’s an UNfunny bunny to do?

Clothes to Make You Smile by Eric Darnell Pritchard

Patrick Kelly was one of the most influential fashion designers of the twentieth century, but growing up in Vicksburg, Mississippi, he didn’t see many boys who liked to sew. That didn’t stop him from sitting down at his grandma’s table and picking up a needle and thread.

When the fashion world rejected his designs, Patrick just laughed and carried right on working. He created clothes for people like him, outsiders who didn’t grow up fitting in but weren’t afraid to stand out. He filled his designs with love, and when the world finally recognized his talent, they couldn’t help but smile.

Just Like Tina by Ebony Lynn Mudd

Shay may be the biggest Tina Turner fan there is. Tina’s songs, videos, and performances have flowed through her house for as long as she can remember, and Shay is pretty sure she’s been a Tina Turner fan since birth, her love only growing more and more over the years. And now is her time to be Tina… on stage, at least. The local Tina Turner festival has arrived and Shay wants to be just as charismatic and perfect on stage as her idol. But when no one else seems to be as passionate, Shay starts to question if she really can be just like Tina.

The Spy in the Gymnasium (Junior Spies) by Bryan Patrick Avery

The Junior Spies are at it again! This time, Kat and Harry go undercover on their school’s basketball team. Their mission is to protect the star player, Remy. But when Remy gets kidnapped, the Junior Spies suspect a R.A.V.E.N. agent might be in their midst. Can they find the hoops hero and uncover the evil agent hiding in their school? Young readers will find out in this hi-lo spy adventure!

Bree Boyd is a Legend by Leah Johnson

7th grader Bree Boyd loves rules, order, and knowing what’s going to happen next. It’s why she likes reading the same books over and over; it’s why she’s the school’s reigning spelling bee champ; and, most importantly, it’s why she’s never minded the high expectations her father has always had for her and her sisters. After all, if you’re always the best, life can’t throw many surprises at you.

All of a sudden Bree’s life—filled with rules and routine—is twisted upside down and inside out. But will these new powers show Bree the magic of an unpredictable, imperfect life? Or will they simply spell disaster for everyone?

Supreme’s Dream by Wendell Shannon

The Supreme series kicks off with a touching tale about a child with a unique gift-seeing the world in beautiful colors. Supreme’s love for family, art, animals, and the environment weaves through a series of adventures in the forest. His journey carries a vital message about the importance of keeping Maryland beautiful, protecting the environment and preserving the Chesapeake Bay.

Supreme dreams of surprising his artist father by joining him at Baltimore’s annual art show, but the forest animals have a different plan for this special little boy.

My Mom, The MVP by Dearica Hamby and Amaya Marie

Dearica and Amaya Hamby are a well-known duo all around professional basketball. Dearica is a superstar on and off the court, and daughter Amaya is always by her side. Together, they travel the world, meet amazing people, try new things, and have lots of adventures. But sometimes, mom’s fame comes with a price, and the two need to work through hard things together. Dearica and Amaya share their unique story in this heartfelt children’s book that reveals what it’s like behind the curtain in the life of a professional athlete and her family.

Weirdo by Tony Weaver Jr.

Eleven-year-old Tony Weaver, Jr. loves comic books, anime, and video games, and idolizes the heroic, larger-than-life characters he finds there. But his new classmates all think he’s a weirdo. Bullied by his peers, Tony struggles with the hurt of not being accepted and tries to conform to other people’s expectations. After a traumatic event shakes him to his core, he embarks on a journey of self love that will require him to become the hero of his own story.

The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton

“The well-known author retells 24 black American folk tales in sure storytelling voice: animal tales, supernatural tales, fanciful and cautionary tales, and slave tales of freedom. All are beautifully readable. With the added attraction of 40 wonderfully expressive paintings by the Dillons, this collection should be snapped up.”–(starred) School Library Journal.