Have you ever flipped through a picture book and thought, Wow—this art is incredible!? If you’re reading to a small child, chances are the illustrations are what pull them in to a new book first.
This post looks at several black illustrators who create impactful and visually stunning picture books that are essential features of today’s children’s literature landscape. These artists aren’t just adding beauty to books. They’re expanding how stories are told, how children see themselves, and how kids understand others. These black illustrators bring a variety of art styles and personalities to the world of picture books.
Let’s meet them!
Christian Robinson’s paper-cut art style brings warmth and joy to every page. His work often centers black children in everyday moments and imaginative journeys, making his books both relatable and magical. Robinson illustrated the award-winning Last Stop on Market Street, which received the Newbery Medal, a Caldecott Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. He is also the author-illustrator of You Matter and Another. I highly recommend Milo Imagines the World for any child with an unstoppable imagination.
Jerry Pinkney was a legendary black illustrator and author whose rich, detailed watercolor paintings brought timeless stories to life. Over his prolific career, he illustrated more than 100 books, many of them focused on classic fairy tales and folk tales reimagined with cultural depth and sensitivity. His wonderful works include The Lion & the Mouse, which earned him the Caldecott Medal, and The Talking Eggs and John Henry, both Coretta Scott King Honor books. Pinkney’s lush, expressive style and deep respect for oral storytelling traditions made his books enduring favorites. Through his work, generations of children have experienced familiar tales through a lens that honors African American heritage.
Erin K. Robinson is a dynamic artist whose bold, expressive style highlights identity, imagination, and glee. Her mixed-media illustrations—layering digital techniques with hand-drawn textures—radiate energy and emotion. Drawing on her background in fashion design, she creates characters that shine with personality. Robinson’s picture books often center black girlhood and feature empowering themes, as seen in The Magical Snowflake, A Library, and This Hair Belongs to Me. (Read more about the authors of these books in 11 Brilliant Black Female Authors You Should Be Reading With Your Kids).
Ekua Holmes uses her textured collage work to explore ancestry, memory, and place. Her illustrations blend paper, photographs, and color to build layered visual stories rooted in family and history. Holmes has illustrated acclaimed books such as Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Black Is a Rainbow Color, and Hope Is an Arrow, each grounded in cultural storytelling and lived experience.
Oge Mora is a black picture book illustrator who uses collage-based artwork for her stories. Her debut, Thank You, Omu!, earned a Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award. Mora’s follow-up, Saturday, explores the bond between a mother and daughter navigating an unexpected day. She also illustrated The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read and Everybody in the Red Brick Building, each showcasing her layered visual storytelling.
Floyd Cooper illustrated more than 100 books with his distinctive “subtractive” oil erasure art technique. His illustrations brought African American history and everyday life to the page, honoring culture, family, and lived experience. Cooper often centered young black boys, capturing moments of tenderness, wonder, and black boy joy—as seen in Max and the Tag-Along Moon, A Beach Tail, and Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History. His work invites children to see themselves reflected with care and pride, making history and personal stories feel close and real. Through his art, Cooper left a lasting legacy that continues to shape how children’s books reflect beauty, heritage, and the richness of black childhood.
Dapo Adeola is a British-Nigerian illustrator who rose to prominence with the Rocket series, including Look Up! and Clean Up! (written by Nathan Bryon), following a science-loving girl with big dreams and a fearless spirit. Adeola’s illustrations capture humor and pluck with warmth and clarity. He also created Hey You!, a picture book featuring messages of pride and self-love from black creatives across publishing. Additionally, Adeola is also a strong advocate for equitable recognition of illustrators in the industry.
Vashti Harrison is an author, illustrator, and filmmaker whose soft, luminous illustrations have redefined how young readers engage with history and identity. Her Little Leaders series—including Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History and Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History—blends biography and portraiture to introduce children to black changemakers. (Also available in board book form for your littlest readers!) Harrison’s trademark art style combines expressive faces, gentle lines, and historical detail, inviting readers to feel connected and inspired. She also illustrated Hair Love, the picture-book adaptation of the Oscar-winning short film.
Lauren Semmer is an illustrator whose bright art practically jumps off the page. Her illustrations shine in To Boldly Go by Angela Dalton and The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez—both favorites for families who want to raise proud, thoughtful kids. Semmer’s work uplifts black culture and identity in a way that’s both beautiful and easy for little ones to connect with. Whether it’s a message of hope or a celebration of heritage, her books feel like a high-five to young readers. For parents looking to add powerful, positive books to their shelves, she’s a must-know.
Kadir Nelson’s gorgeous illustrations often depict black figures with dignity, strength, and grace. This has made him one of the most influential visual storytellers in contemporary picture books. His work combines classical composition with striking realism, creating visuals that command attention and emotion. Nelson has illustrated acclaimed books such as Heart and Soul, We Are the Ship, Henry’s Freedom Box and If You Plant a Seed, and is the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King Awards, Caldecott Honors, and the Sibert Medal.
Vanessa Brantley-Newton uses vibrant, mixed-media illustration to celebrate diversity, creativity, and confidence. She illustrated the bestselling book The King of Kindergarten and fan-favorite Mary Had a Little Glam, among many others. Each book showcases her signature flair for pairing playful storytelling with bold, stylish visuals. Brantley-Newton often features sassy, self-assured black girls who embrace their individuality and shine on the page. Through her illustrations and narratives, she opens doors for all children to feel seen, adding flair and fun to every bookshelf.
Brian Pinkney is an award-winning black illustrator whose vivacious, swirling illustrations bring movement and rhythm to children’s books. The son of legendary artist Jerry Pinkney, he continues a powerful legacy in the world of black picture-book illustrators. Pinkney often collaborates with his wife, author Andrea Davis Pinkney, on acclaimed titles such as Duke Ellington, The Adventures of Sparrowboy, and Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down. His use of scratchboard, combined with lovely watercolor, gives his artwork a sense of motion and dynamism. His newest release, The Littlest Drop, was his final collaboration with his late father.
Loveis Wise is a black illustrator whose dreamy, colorful artwork feels like a burst of imagination on every page. Their work often features flowing shapes, delightful characters, and nature-inspired themes that invite kids to think big and feel seen. You’ll find their vibrant style in books like The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi and Magnolia Flower, an adaptation of a Zora Neale Hurston story by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Wise’s illustrations center black children in ways that feel empowering, calm, and full of wonder—all while keeping little readers totally engaged. Whether you’re looking for books that reflect your child’s world or open new ones, Wise’s art offers a beautiful addition to any family library. For parents wanting picture books that uplift and inspire, Loveis Wise is one to watch.
