Little Black Boy: Oh, the Things You Will Do!
2 min read
How One Picture Book Protects Black Childhood and Plants Seeds for a Brilliant Future
Children’s literature holds tremendous power. Before a child can fully decipher the world around them, books introduce them to possibilities, language, imagination, and identity. It is essential for every child to see themselves reflected in a positive light. Little Black Boy: Oh, the Things You Will Do! by Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Larry C. Fields III, with artwork by Paul Davey, is a stunning example of what happens when that representation is done with care, intention, and creative joy.
At its center is a curious young Black boy fascinated with marine wildlife. He dreams of swimming with the ocean’s creatures, studying their worlds, and protecting their home. This is a powerful shift. Too often, Black boys in media are flatly portrayed through the narrow lens of toughness or survival. This book rejects that limitation completely. Instead, it gives its protagonist the space to be tender, curious, hopeful, and deeply connected to the natural world.
The journey from swimming pool to open ocean mirrors a larger emotional truth. Growth requires courage. Dreaming requires risk. And showing up for causes bigger than yourself requires both heart and discipline. The character pursues his future as a marine biologist, and he learns that his dreams carry responsibility. Caring for sea life means caring for the environment, protecting the beach he loves, and understanding his place in the larger ecosystem.
Paul Davey’s illustrations deepen the story with warm textures and dynamic color. Every page feels like an invitation to explore. For Black children, imagery like this matters. It affirms the beauty of their skin, their dreams, and their inner world. It anchors the idea that they deserve to imagine themselves anywhere, from coral reefs to laboratories to global stages.
Books like this are not simply bedtime stories. They are cultural interventions. They counter messages that try to shrink the futures of Black boys before they begin. They remind parents, teachers, and communities that children deserve to grow in safety, wonder, and possibility. They also expand what we collectively understand a Black childhood to be.
Little Black Boy: Oh, the Things You Will Do! belongs on every bookshelf, classroom, library, and community center. It shows young readers that the world is wide, the water is deep, and their dreams are entirely within reach. Most importantly, it honors the truth that children deserve stories that reflect their potential, not their limitations.
