For February 2022, we have reading recommendations for books for kids about Black History, winter activities, and of course Valentine’s Day.

February, one of our coldest months, is a great time to take kids to the library to check out books for when it’s just too cold to play outside.

Do your kids know how these Black inventors - George Washington Carver, Garret Morgan, Charles R. Drew, Patricia Era Bath, and Gerald A. Lawson made the world a better place? Have they heard of the poets, Gwendolyn Brooks, or Paul Laurence Dunbar? Spoiler alert – they will love their poems and learn from their determination to succeed.

How Many Do I Love You? By Cheri Love-Bird and Cottage Door Press – This is a padded counting picture book for young children. Kids will love practicing turning pages and learning to count to ten with pictures of adorable animals and fun-loving messages. For ages 1-5

Franklin’s Valentines by Paulette Bourgeois – Franklin is excited to give his classmates the Valentines he has made for them, but when he gets to school, they are missing. Franklin is afraid his friends will be mad, but he gets a special lesson about friendship instead. For ages 3-8

Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman – The lyrical picture book debut of the inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman. A young girl leads a group of people on a musical adventure where they learn they have the power to affect change in their community, the world, and themselves. For ages 4-8

The Big Winter Activity Book by Kid’s Paper and Ink – This book is full of activities for kids ages 4-8. Keep kids busy with coloring pages, math mazes, word searches, and dot to dots.

Bronzeville Boys and Girls by Gwendolyn Brooks - Thirty-four poems by Gwendolyn Brooks that celebrate the imagination, beauty, joy, and freedom of childhood. For ages 4-8

The Good Deed Crew and the Secret Valentine by Kendra Parks – The Good Deed Crew want to make Valentine’s Day special for the people in their community, but a series of mishaps threaten to ruin their special plans. For ages 5-12

Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade – this is a picture-book biography of the poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize. Brooks grew up wanting to be a poet. She wrote about real life and showed readers that anything can become a beautiful poem. This book follows her life from early childhood into her adult life. For ages 6-9

Winter Activity Book for Kids by Mrgraph Art – This is an activity book for kids ages 6-12. It’s filled with fun and educational activities. Kids will have fun with word scrambles, Sudoku, mazes, coloring pages, and puzzles.

Black Inventors: 15 Inventions that Changed the World by Kathy Trusty – Learn about these fifteen life-changing inventions. For ages 8-12

Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar by Sally Derby – Paul Laurence Dunbar originated the famous line, “I know why the caged bird sings.” This book follows his life and journey from a childhood of poverty to his becoming a famous poet and his untimely death. Over two dozen of Dunbar’s poems are woven throughout this biography. For ages 9-12