This blog post is part of the Woodson Project—a series of events, posts, and book lists on subjects including empowering Black families, amplifying Black voices, exploring Black identity and intersectionality, and discovering Black influencers in STEAM. The project was created by branch staff from across NYPL to honor Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who in 1926 created Negro History Week—the precursor to Black History Month.

How many of us have judged a book by its cover? Have you ever thought about the creators behind these covers or the artwork within? This booklist highlights Black visual artists—illustrators, cover designers and graphic novel and comic artists—who use vibrant colors, unbounded imagination, and unique perspectives to attract readers of all ages to reading materials. Click on the book cover if you'd like to learn more about the book and borrow it from our collection.

Children's Books

Brian Pinkney (Book Designer: Illustrator)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shane W. Evans (Book Designer: Illustrator)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frank Morrison (Book Designer: Illlustrator)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrea Pippins (Book Designer: Illustrator)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Young Adult Books

Erin Robinson (Book Designer: Cover Art)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marcie Lawrence (Book Designer: Cover Art)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesley Worrell (Book Designer: Cover Art)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chelsea Hunter (Book Designer: Cover Art)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adult Books

Kyle Baker (Book Designer: Comic Artist)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Khary Randolph (Book Designer: Comic Artist)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afua Richardson (Book Designer: Comic Artist)

 

 

 

Contributors: Ramon Carela, Asuncion Cora, Whitney Davidson-Rhodes, Esther Jackson, Carolyn Lawerence, Dhariyah Luqman, Allison Nellis, Micheal Okoli, Rachel Roseberry, Wayne Walters