EPCC’s Spring 2026 Children’s Booklist
These four books carry important messages for children who need to be seen, heard and feel like someone understands. These books have also been banned in many preschools and school districts. Please enjoy this list of wonderful books.
Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder
Children’s first view of the human body is often from their experience with their family members. This is also when positive or negative body images can begin to form. This book, Bodies are Cool, is a wonderful book that celebrates living in a world where humans have different body shapes, various hair types, and where different shades of skin are beautiful.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
Food often sits at the heart of community gatherings. A moment to share a meal, exchange stories, and feel connected. Fry Bread beautifully honors this spirit. It tells the story of how traditions are passed from one generation to the next, inviting young readers to become future storytellers who carry forward their heritage, culture and family history.
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Julian is a Mermaid, tells the story of a little boy who finds inspiration while riding the subway with his grandmother. The sticky situation that lies ahead is, will his grandmother support him or will she be upset?
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Unhei is a young Korean child adjusting to a new school in the United States, where many classmates struggle to pronounce her name. Feeling the weight of standing out, she tells her mother she wants to change her beautiful Korean name to an American one. As the story unfolds, Unhei embarks on a journey of self-identity, discovering the importance of honoring heritage and embracing who she truly is.
This article is part of our Newsletter 2026 Issue 2. See all articles.
