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Children's books that celebrate diversity

6/4/2020

5 Comments

 
The books we read our children have a huge impact on how they see the world.  Especially in early childhood, everything a child encounters shapes their worldview.  When we examine some of the stories and folktales that have become commonplace, it can be shocking how many messages there are that encourage separation, negativity and an "us vs. them" mindset.  
By planting seeds of inclusion, connection and celebrating the differences among us,  we can help influence our next generation and inspire more love and unity between us all.
Here is a list of a few of our favorite books for young children that add a little more "we" into their worldview and show the connections we have to each other, no matter what.

Thank You, Omu  by Oge Mora

Picture
Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself?
Debut author-illustrator Oge Mora brings to life a heartwarming story of sharing and community in colorful cut-paper designs as luscious as Omu's stew, with an extra serving of love.
​This is a book about sharing, intergenerational relationships and community,  It highlights people of different abilities, background and ethnicities.  Filled with beautiful painting and collaged illustrations, this book is a joy to read. 


Whoever You Are  by Mem Fox

Picture
Every day all over the world, children are laughing and crying, playing and learning, eating and sleeping. They may not look the same. They may not speak the same language. Their lives may be quite different. But inside, they are all alike. Stirring words and bold paintings weave their way around our earth, across cultures and generations.
"Joys are the same, and love is the same.  Pain is the same and blood is the same."​  At a time when, unfortunately, the lessons of tolerance still need to be learned, 
Whoever You Are urges us to accept our differences, to recognize our similarities, and-most importantly-to rejoice in both.


I Walk With Vanessa- A Story About A Simple Act Of Kindness  by Kerascoët

Picture
This simple yet powerful picture book tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying. Inspired by real events,  I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly, and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help. By choosing only pictures to tell their story, the creators underscore the idea that someone can be an ally without having to say a word. With themes of acceptance, kindness, and strength in numbers, this timeless and profound feel-good story will resonate with readers young and old.


You Matter  by Christian Robinson

Picture
In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored—from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone matters.
Simple and heartfelt, the words of Caldecott Honoree Robinson’s poem speaks directly to readers: “You matter." By seeing all life as intertwined—ancient and new, minuscule and gargantuan, Robinson represents life as both interconnected and precious. 


Princess Truly in My Magical Sparkling Curls   
​by Kelly Greenawalt 

Picture
"​I love my fluffy, puffy curls.
I'm so happy they are mine.
When I believe in myself,
They shimmer and they shine."
These books celebrate the beauty in curls and the magic we all possess. 
In the second installment of the Princess Truly books,  Truly's magical, sparkling curls have the power to transport her all around the world. She visits places like the Egyptian pyramids, the Jurassic period, and even into outer space.
​With curiosity, bravery, and her signature smarts, Princess Truly once again proves that she can do anything she sets her mind to and reminds girls everywhere to reach for the stars, believe in themselves, and dream big!


Lovely  by Jess Hong

Picture
Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. Lovely explores a world of differences that all add up to the same thing: we are all lovely! 
“Lovely” is a lively ode to being different. “What is lovely?” the text asks. “Lovely is different.”  It shows the multifarious world in all its glory, and invites the reader to view our differences through a lens of joy and kindness.  Through its simple, elegant prose, this book promotes tolerance, inclusion, compassion, kindness and empathy. As the song says, teach your children well ― or better yet, inspire them well.


The Day You Begin  by Jaqueline Woodson

Picture
"There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you."
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
Jacqueline Woodson's book was inspired by a story about her great grandfather who was the only black child in an all white school. From that experience, Woodson has crafted a beautiful letter of encouragement for anybody who feels misunderstood and alone, and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.


All Are Welcome  by Alexandra Penfold

Picture
Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school and community.


All The Colors Of The Earth  by Sheila Hamanaka

Picture
This beautifully illustrated book celebrates the joy of diversity to the fullest through engaging, rhyming text and rich images of nature.
Hamanaka weaves the reader through simple and poetic text to describes children's skin tones and hair in terms of natural phenomena of the world.  "Children come in all the colors of the earth- the roaring browns of bears and soaring of eagles, the whispering golds of late summer grasses and the crackling russets of fallen leaves."
This book is a  celebration of diversity and showcases the poetry and beauty in each of us.


Mixed  by Arree Chung

Picture
In the beginning, there were three colors- Reds, Yellows, and Blues. All special in their own ways, all living in harmony―until one day, a Red says "Reds are the best!" and starts a color kerfuffle. When the colors decide to separate, is there anything that can change their minds?
Mixed's simple and straightforward approach to confronting discrimination is age-appropriate without trivializing difficult, hurtful situations. This book is about color, tolerance, and embracing differences and opening our minds.

5 Comments
Sasha
6/4/2020 01:40:24 pm

Such a wonderful list! Thank you so much for suggesting these books!

Reply
Joshua
6/7/2020 10:47:08 am

Love it! Thanks so much!

Reply
Amanda Perkins
6/8/2020 08:05:04 am

This a very well picked selection. Thank you so much for sharing!

Reply
The 3 Must-Haves of a Children’s Book link
7/1/2020 09:38:13 pm

Children’s books have always played an essential role in the lives of young people. These books encourage literacy among children and bring to them a different kind of entertainment through words and pictures. There are hundreds and thousands of children’s books out there. They talk about a wide range of topics that appeal heavily to the interest of kids.

Check out my blog here about children`s book: https://www.kimbersnyder.com/2020/06/15/the-3-must-haves-of-a-childrens-book/

Hope it helps.

Thanks

Reply
Keith link
7/12/2021 04:04:27 pm

Loved the collection of your books. Once the children will read, more things they will know. The more they learn, the more places they will go.

Reply



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