Inside: Discover diverse books for confident boys that will inspire them to dream bigger, and help them develop a positive self-identity by seeing that men of all colors can be anything they want to be.
Finding diverse books for my biracial son has always been a challenge. It seems like it’s even harder to find diversity in books for boys than it is for girls, (and even for girls you have to actively search for them!).
Raising my son to be confident and proud of his race is different for me than raising my daughter.
My husband’s job keeps him from being home much of the time so there’s not always a man to help teach him how to be proud of who he is. Of course I do my best to instill confidence and pride in him, but it’s different because I’m not Black.
So I have to search even harder to find resources I can use to help him grow into a confident boy and on top of that, a confident biracial boy.
I want the world for my son. I want him to believe he can do anything.
I want him to have confidence in who he is and hold onto that despite what he may face in the world.
Related: 10 Books That Feature Biracial Children
Books are one of my favorite resources to use to teach kids. (Manners, kindness, being a strong girl, supporting their biracial identity and more).
The world oppresses people of color.
They try to keep them marginalized.
But we can raise our boys from the start knowing that being biracial or being a person of color is something to be proud of. They have a rich legacy in this world. They’re important and we will fight for them.
This list of diverse books for confident boys will show our beautiful biracial children and children of color they aren’t less.
If your kids enjoy listening to books in the car, (at night, during quiet time, etc.) you can get a free 30 day trial of audible from Amazon! They have a huge selection of children’s books!
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Diverse Books For Confident Boys
Little Legends: Exceptional Men In Black History
In this book, you’ll find there’s no shortage of biographies of amazing Black men who have changed history. Boys of all ages will be inspired by these trailblazing men from the past to the present.
I Am Martin Luther King Jr. (Ordinary People Change The World)
This book introduces young boys to Martin Luther King Jr. Who he was, what he believed in, what he wanted for the future, and how he went about fighting injustice with peace rather than violence.
Salt In His Shoes: Michael Jordan In Pursuit Of A Dream
This is a great story to show little boys that even legendary athletes face self-doubt. Michael Jordan almost quit his dream of becoming a basketball player. But his family stepped in and helped Michael see that his dream was possible with hard work.
This book features a little boy named Riley who doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. His cousin helps him use his imagination to see he can be whatever he wants to be. I like this book because the main character is a black boy and this shows boys of color the main character is someone who looks like them. It also lets them use their imagination to figure out what they want to be when they grow up.
This story is about a boy named Iggy who loves to build things. His teacher however doesn’t like architecture so Iggy faces a challenge because he does love architecture. This shows little boys to pursue what they love to do even if others aren’t supportive.
This introduces boys to historic and modern day Black heroes. It features figures who are all shades of brown so boys can see color doesn’t determine success!
This is a poem meant to inspire black children that they can be dreamers and achievers. Again, I love that it features black children and celebrates what they can accomplish.
Another book that features a black boy who has a love for words. He ends up realizing how powerful words can be and what kind of impact they can have when you share those powerful words with the world.
I Am Jackie Robinson (Ordinary People Change The World)
This book features Jackie Robinson who changed history when he became the first major league African American baseball player. He paved the way for future black athletes. This shows little boys that even if it has never been done before, one person can change the way things are done now and in the future.
This book is no doubt one of my favorites. It’s a true story of little kids in Birmingham Alabama in 1963 who volunteered to march for their civil rights. They believed so deeply in protesting the laws that kept blacks and whites separate, that they used their voices to change laws despite the racism, hate, fear, and danger they faced. The book proves no one is too little to make a change. You can be brave and fight back against injustice at any age.
This introduces little boys to Barack Obama and shares the story of the United States first African American president. Little boys of color will be inspired to see there is no career they can’t have.
Stories for Boys Who Dare To Be Different
Discover 75 past and present day men of all colors who have forged new paths and shaped the world.
A book that inspires families and kids to be their best.
When a boy is teased for looking different, he tells his mom he wants to look like everyone else. With his mom’s help, he realizes his own beauty and worth.
This book is filled with things boys love, (superheroes, astronauts, crowns, and more) featuring characters of color.
Big Monty and the Cyborg Substitute
This book features characters of color and is packed with adventure and science activities! This is perfect for older readers.
This story shares the bond between father and son as Jabari’s dad helps him overcome his fears.
This book shows that there isn’t just one way to be a boy, and it encourages every boy to celebrate what makes him unique!
This book shares the relationship between father and son as well as navigating old and new cultures.
I Am…Positive Affirmations for Brown Boys
Boost your son’s self-esteem with these powerful affirmations for boys of color!
Final thoughts
You have to actively search to find books that feature diverse characters for boys. But our sons need them.
They need to see people who look like them accomplishing dreams, overcoming hardships, and persevering through it all.
Our sons will likely face adversity as they get older. But together we can raise our boys of color to be confident in who they are.
Related Reading
30 Diverse Graphic Novels for Kids
10 Diverse Books For Strong Girls
Why You Should Discuss Race With Your Biracial Children
Why Books With Multiracial Families Matter
10 Crafts and Toys That Support Racial and Cultural Diversity
Awesome! I’ve been searching for a list like this because, you’re right, it is easier (even if not exactly easy) to find self-validating books for girls of color than it is for boys. I spotted a couple of books I think my son will really enjoy! Thanks.
Hi Tiffany! Yes I really had to search for these but I’m happy I found them because my son loves a lot of these too. I’m glad you found some that your son will enjoy!