On January 20th, we celebrate National DJ Day, an entire day to recognize what DJs have given to the art of music, especially the hip-hop community. Without pioneering disc jockeys like Alan “Moondog” Freed and Kool Herc, the world of music wouldn’t be what it is today. In the spirit of National DJ Day, we’ve gathered seven awesome children’s books that celebrate the origins of disc jockeys and hip-hop.
When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Laban Carrick Hill, Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III
The day that hip-hop entered the music scene can be traced back to an exact day in the summer of 1973 when Cindy Campbell threw a back-to-school block party and asked her brother Clive to handle the music. Debuting his new method of playing the instrumental “breaks” of a song back-to-back to make for more dance opportunities, Clive Campbell — now known as DJ Kool Herc — planted the seeds that would become one of the great American music genres, hip-hop. With lyrical text from Hill and dynamic illustrations from Taylor III, this book is a fantastic look at Kool Herc’s story and how his innovation paved the way for the hip-hop of today.
The Roots Of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Frank Morrison
The award-winning Weatherford teams up with illustrator and street artist Morrison in this incredible ode to the foundations of rap and hip-hop. From the explosion of funk and soul to the mixing of DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash to the introduction of lyrical flows and class-conscious politics, the poetry of Weatherford walks young readers through not only the history of rap and hip-hop but also what they represent to the disenfranchised and the Black community. Morrison’s dynamic artwork is a feast for the eyes, introducing future fans to icons like Tupac, Queen Latifah, and Run-DMC.
DJ Baby by DJ Burton, Illustrated by Andy J. Pizza
An adorably clever way to welcome the very youngest of aspiring DJs to step up to the deck, this charming and colorful board book offers two interactive turntables and other elements for little hands to practice their spinning, scratching, and fading skills. Groovy illustrations by Pizza bring a collection of fun characters and creatures into the mix to enjoy baby bookworm beats. This one would be perfect for reading together; better yet, put on some tunes and let your little reader live out their DJ dreams.
Darryl’s Dream by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels with Shawnee & Johnny Warfield and Adam Padilla, Illustrated by Tristan Tait
Little Darryl is a quiet third-grader who loves to write. He hopes to find the confidence to share his talents at the school talent show, but when classmates make fun of him for his thick glasses and academic achievements, he loses his nerve. Can he find it again and prove to everyone that he has important things to say? Written by Darryl McDaniels — the “DMC” of Run-DMC — this sweet semi-autobiographical story carries an important lesson in self-confidence and staying true to oneself, especially when it means embracing the talents that make you unique.
Welcome to the Cypher by Khodi Dill, Illustrated by Awuradwoa Afful
To many, hip-hop isn’t just a genre of music. No, no, no — it’s much more than that. It’s a language, a rhythm, and a voice for those who have felt silenced. The powerful rhymes of Dill and the exuberant illustrations of Afful follow a diverse group of children as they learn how to express themselves through the beat, flow, and poetry of rap, celebrating the art form for its distinctive interconnectivity of lyricism and music. It makes for a great read to introduce young readers to the theory and function of rap, as well as what sets it apart from all other art forms.
Hip-Hop: The Beat of America by Jarrett Williams
The most in-depth look at the history of hip-hop on this list, this graphic novel geared toward middle-grade readers follows Aaliyah, a hip-hop superfan, as her dad takes her on a journey to the Bronx to learn the roots of the rap and hip-hop scene. Through fantastic full-color illustrations and a heartwarming storyline, readers will learn how the early pioneers of hip-hop built the genre and culture from the ground up. Along with Aaliyah, they’ll learn about DJs, MCs, B-boys and B-girls, all the way to how the beginnings of hip-hop in the 1970s would grow into the thriving rap scene of today.
What Is Hip-Hop? by Eric Morse, Illustrated by Anny Yi
A delightfully quirky look at the world of hip-hop, both past and present, the entertaining words of Morse introduce legend after superstar after icon on every page of this title, while the incredible clay art of Yi captures their likenesses and vibe in superb style. From the Boogie Down Bronx to the megastars of today, the clay art meticulously recreates images and moments from hip-hop history, such as Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders cover and the Beatie Boys’ “Intergalactic” music video. Overall, it makes for an incredible read that will likely inspire some previously unfamiliar artists to be added to the “Up Next” playlist.
We hope that you and your little hip-hop aficionados enjoy these picks and that they inspire you to share the music you love with each other. Happy reading!
To see more of our favorite children’s book picks, check out our article on the Best Picture Books of 2024.
To see all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
