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Is reading nonfiction important for young readers, tweens, and teens? The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) believes it is. According to their Position Statement on the Role of Nonfiction Literature (K–12), “research shows that most young readers enjoy nonfiction, and many prefer it. For some children, nonfiction is a gateway to literacy as well as a portal to knowledge that sparks curiosity and fuels a sense of wonder.” As we look forward to 2026 releases, here are some engaging, daring, truthful, heartwarming, and inspirational nonfiction picture books. But first, take a look at New Releases to recap the children’s and young adult books by Black authors from 2025.
The list features 20 nonfiction picture books releasing in the first four months of 2026. And since picture books are for everyone, these titles are, too. The topics cover history, sports, poetry, music, biographies, and more. All are available for preorder. Also see Part I: A Preview of 2026 Fiction Picture Books, Part II: A Preview of 2026 Chapter and Middle-Grade Fiction Books, and Part III: A Preview of 2026 Young Adult (YA) Fiction Books.
Clicking on the book links will direct you to a different site. BCBA may earn a small percentage on purchases.
1. The Dream Builder’s Blueprint: Dr. King’s Message to Young People
Alice Faye Duncan | E.B. Lewis | Calkins Creek | January 6, 2026
2. Prince: A Little Golden Book Biography
Nikki Shannon Smith | Don Tate | Golden Books | January 6, 2026
3. I Am the River: Sarah E. Ray and the Bob-Lo Boat
Leah Henderson | Patricia Lee Gauch | Kristle Marshall | Levine Querido | January 6, 2026
4. Clothes to Make You Smile: Patrick Kelly Designs His Dreams
Eric Darnell Pritchard | Shannon Wright | Abrams BYR | January 13, 2026
5. Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game
Kadir Nelson | Little, Brown BYR | January 13, 2026
6. Prayer Is
Tameka Fryer Brown | Alleanna Harris | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) | January 13, 2026
7. The Gift of Freedom: How Harriet Tubman Rescued Her Brothers
Glennette Tilley Turner | Laura Freeman | Abrams BYR | January 13, 2026
JaNay Brown-Wood | Erin K. Robinson | Astra Young Readers | January 13, 2026
9. Two Artists, Grandad and Me
Charnelle Pinkney Barlow | Doubleday BYR | January 20, 2026
10. Troubled Waters: A River’s Journey Toward Justice
Carole Boston Weatherford | Bryan Collier | Bloomsbury Children’s Books | January 20, 2026
11. Melodies of The Weary Blues: Classic Poems Illustrated for Young People
Langston Hughes | Shamar Knight-Justice | Various Illustrators | HarperCollins | January 20, 2026
12. Just Like Tina: Inspired by the Life of Tina Turner
Ebony Lynn Mudd | Maruga Koops | Penguin Workshop | January 27, 2026
13. Teaching for Change: How Septima Clark Led the Civil Rights Movement to Voting Justice
Yvonne Clark-Rhines | Abigail Albano-Payton | Monica Clark-Robinson | Quill Tree | January 27, 2026
14. Blues Boy: The B. B. King Story
Alice Faye Duncan | Carl Joe Williams | Greenwillow Books | January 27, 2026
15. I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy
Mychal Threets | Lorraine Nam | Random House BYR | February 3, 2026
16. Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory’s Run for the Hungry
Derrick Barnes | Frank Morrison | Christian Gregory | Amistad BYR | February 3, 2026
17. Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen’s Rise to Fame
Tami Charles | Meredith Lucius | Charlesbridge | February 10, 2026
Janelle Washington | Roaring Brook Press | March 24, 2026
Sophia Robinson | Ken Daley | Orchard Books | April 7, 2026
20. Because of Dads
K.E. Lewis | Maithili Joshi | Roaring Brook | April 28, 2026
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