Children’s Books on Diversity and Inclusion
For Children Ages 2-5
“All People Are Beautiful” by Vincent Kelly
For Ages 2-5
All People are Beautiful is a wonderful read for young children. It thoughtfully explains the role of community and how individuals add their beauty to our community.
“The Big Umbrella” by Amy June Bates
For Ages 2-5
How can one umbrella hold so many people and animals?? Well, this umbrella can! All are welcome under this umbrella, no matter how tall, big, small, or hairy. All are welcome. A beautifully written book with a powerful message.
“Diversity To Me!” by Marisa Taylor
For Children Ages 4-6
Introducing the terms diversity and inclusion can sometimes be a little tricky for young children. Diversity to Me, does a great job of defining the terms and explaining what they mean by giving examples that will help them understand.
For Children Ages 5-8
“Your Name Is a Song” by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
For Children Ages 5-7
Names are so important. They are parts of our identity and express how we want to be addressed. But what about when you have a unique name and others do not quite pronounce it right? Kora-Jalimuso’s mom had a perfect solution. Make it into a song because every name is a song.
“Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” by Sonia Sotomayor
For Children Ages 5-8
Sometimes children have questions about their peers who have different abilities and are trying to understand why they need a little extra time or why they have to take medicine if they are kids. Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave is a great resource tool to have in any home or school.
For Children Ages 9-11
“Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson
For Ages 8-11
Emmanuel is a young boy in Ghana, West Africa who was born with a not so typical leg. Although people made him feel like he was not worth very much, his mother reminded him that he was special and taught him to reach for his dreams. No matter what the challenge is. Taking this advice, Emmanuel decided to trek on a journey that would change his life forever.
“Wishtree” by Katherine Applegate
For Ages 9 & Up
Trees have many stories to tell. They observe and listen to the voices of people passing by. For Red, a wishtree in a suburban neighborhood and the critters that inhabit it, they listen to the wishes that many of the neighbors have. Until, one day, someone makes a dangerous wish. They wished for a new family to leave the neighborhood. Saddened, Red and the critters wonder what they can do to help this new family.
For Children Ages 11 & Up
“Count Me In” by Varsha Bajaj
For Ages 11 & Up
Karina Chopra is a young Indian American girl in middle-school, who struggles with a group of boys that make fun of her. Then one day, an unlikely friend jumps and defends her. One day, Karina, her grandfather, and her new friend, are assaulted by a stranger because of how they look. Soon, Karina’s friend wants to act against hate and begins to create a movement in their community. This is a great book about diversity, friendship, and activism.
“The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond” by Mary Eisenhart
For Ages 11 & Up
From a young age, Violet has never known her father. All she knows is that her dad was black, and his family lives in Los Angeles and that he was black. Wanting to know more, she soon finds out that her grandmother, a renowned African American artist, will be having an exhibition in Seattle. After meeting her grandmother, she soon embarks on a journey that allows her to see the beauty of being bi-racial.
This article is part of our Spring 2023 Newsletter. See all articles.
