Inclusive Children's Books That Celebrate Diversity

Kelly R.:  

I love how Todd Parr's books teach about differences in a colorful and approachable style that is perfect for young kids. The Family Book celebrates families, and all of the different varieties in which they come.

Erynn:  Through telling the story of María Isabel's new school - and a teacher who doesn't understand the meaning behind her name - author Alma Flor Ada shows how it's possible to stand up for yourself without bringing others down. Plus, the author herself knows a bit about making waves - Alma Flor Ada is a professor, advocate for peace, and writer of books that encourage kids to embrace their culture and the magic of being bilingual. A Spanish version is also available.

Erin P.:  This book by Mem Fox teaches little ones that there are kids just like them all over the world. While their homes, their schools, their languages and their skin may look different, we also share much that is the same. Just like your child, these kids all over the world laugh and cry, play and learn, eat and sleep. The illustrations take the reader all over the world, and the message of unity is such an important one for all of us!

Yoli B:  One Family is primarily a counting book, but as you look closer you will notice that the illustrations represent the world that we live in. The story includes diverse families in their daily lives and counts the background items up to ten. It keeps the theme of "one" throughout and it all keeps coming back to the lesson that we are "one family."

Yoli B:  My Mother's Sari tells the tale of a little girl using her imagination while wrapping herself in the 6 foot cloth. This book is a favorite in our home and I read it in my daughter's preschool class and allowed the kids to play with one of my own saris.

Erin P.:  This nonfiction book, by Katie Kissinger, is about how skin color occurs. It explains that there are three factors that combine to give us our skin color: our parents, the sun, and melanin. This book includes lots of diverse pictures.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson is the true story of two male penguins, Roy and Silo who live in the Central Park Zoo in New York City. The pair followed the other penguin couples and built a nest with a rock as an egg until the zookeeper gave them a real egg so they were able to become parents.

This book illustrates that animals pick and choose their mate based on love and not gender. The story teaches diversity, love and acceptance of others. It also shows the kindness of the zoo employees who enabled the partners to be parents.

Yoli B:  Little Humans is a feel good photographic journey of kids in New York City. The author, Brandon Stanton, is the creator of the popular blog "Humans of New York." In this book, he managed to capture the spirit of children from different backgrounds in their natural element around the city. The photographs are raw and the story is heartwarming, so take a look!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Temple Grandin was born with autism and she used her special abilities of working with animals and using pictures instead of words. In The Girl Who Thought in Pictures, by Julia Finley Mosca, we learn about her struggles as a child, and how she transformed farms for the better, earned three college degrees, became a speaker, professor, best-selling author, and advocate for animal science and autism. This book teaches that anyone with differences can be a star. Focus your energy, wisdom and efforts on your talents and the things you enjoy to succeed in life.

Vanessa M.:  The beautiful, empowering poetry and eye-catching illustrations of I Am Enough by Grace Byers encourage young readers to be kind to themselves and inclusive of others. "I know that we don't look the same - our skin, our eyes, our hair, our frame. But that does not dictate our worth; we both have places here on earth." The gentle message about acceptance of self and others is a great conversation starter for families or school groups.

Yoli B:  Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but Stella has two daddies and brings them along! The book, by Miriam B. Schiffer, shows that there is no difference between Stella's family and "traditional" families. Stella's papa and daddy take care of her in this book about love, acceptance and the true meaning of family!

Erin P.:  This is a great book for introducing young children to the concepts of diversity, individuality, and acceptance. In this book by Linda Kranz, a fish sets out to explore the ocean and discovers that fish come in all shapes, sizes and colors!

Erin P.:  

This book uses vibrant pictures and minimal text to introduce young children to the concept of shades of skin. The message is that our skin is just our covering, like wrapping paper, and you can't tell what someone is like on the inside from the color of their skin.

Yoli B:  The Sneetches live elite lives because of the stars on their bellies. They don't talk, play or mix with the plain bellied Sneetches at all. One day a everything changes and all the Sneetches face their biased ideas. I love this tale and the video shouldn't be missed. It is classic Dr. Seuss told in a way that even the youngest minds can understand!

Erynn:  This sweet story uses a mislabeled crayon to encourage kids to be true to their inner selves, regardless of how they might appear on the outside. A thoughtful message that applies to a variety of situations regarding diversity, Michael Hall's book gives kids a gentle introduction to the concepts of identity and courage in one's self.