I made the parameters for this post fairly narrow, and often just picked my favorites that covered the same subject matter. We use cookies on this site to enable certain parts of the site to function and to collect information about your use of the site so that we can improve our visitors’ experience. 192 books — 107 voters Some grown-ups look after animals, go into space, build houses and more! (Note to publishers: keep publishing more books like these!!) Her goal in childhood was to read every book in the children's section of the library. The Best Informational Books for Toddlers, Kid-Approved Books for Struggling Second and Third Grade Readers, The 50 Best Books for 11- and 12-Year-Olds, 15 Classics That 8- to 12-Year-Olds Say Are Worth Reading Today, 21 Middle Grade & Chapter Books to Dive Into This Fall 2020, 15 YA Books to Look Forward to in Fall 2020, 10 Books That Promote Positive Thinking in Teens, Pride and Less Prejudice: LGBTQIA+ Books for Teens, By submitting my email, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's. Analytics cookies help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. Dec 11, 2015 4:56 PM EST Books represent some of the first opportunities children have to explore the world. Targeting cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you and your interests. We Need Diverse Books™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people. Ti Gran also tells Belle stories about the Haitian Revolution and their family’s history. Diverse Horror. by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw. When Marcus Vega’s mother takes him and his little brother to Puerto Rico to visit unfamiliar relatives, Marcus takes off on a quest in search of his father, who left the family ten years ago. I could recommend hundreds of books with diverse main characters. Books with a Non-Caucasian person as the/one of the lead characters. But when her dad starts his bedtime countdown, can she fit in as much fun as possible before it’s time to go to sleep? What he finds is a whole lot more than he bargained for. Preference and Feature cookies allow our website to remember choices you make, such as your language preferences and any customisations you make to pages on our website during your visit. The Read-Aloud Revival team has put together a list of our favorite diverse picture books to celebrate the everyday. Looking for multicultural children’s picture books with culturally and racially diverse main characters?I’ve gathered up over 70 of my favorites here. When you’re picking stories with Black lead characters, it’s important to choose diverse plots. Strictly Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. Will Yumi be able to bring her identities together? "They've made some strides, but considering the diversity of the US, it's still very small." What these books of all genres have in common is telling stories with diverse characters where race isn't the central issue in the storyline. Ladybird Tales of Super Heroes (4+ years). Further, only a small percentage of books featuring diverse characters are written by authors with a shared identity. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Wait until you try and find chapter books with diverse characters! it seems you've already subscribed to this newsletter. Their community changes by the day, but her Papi’s love is constant. Jump to: Books about the world | Bedtime books | Storytime books | Mealtime books | Potty training books, The latest books, activities and tips to help you grow little readers, By signing up, I confirm that I'm over 16. Get the latest on books and authors from Penguin Random House. An unforgettable semi-autobiographical novel from an award-winning poet. Instead, the issues are solving mysteries, defeating bad guys, coping with loss, following your destiny, and more. For more Black boy joy, don’t miss Derrick Barnes’s newest, I Am Every Good Thing. See More. For little ones who can express themselves verbally, books are a great way to explore and discuss diversity together. by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Of course, these are far from the only children’s books about diversity! 10 children’s books that feature diverse characters Arts. This relevant and contemporary collection is great for little ones coming to poetry for the first time. Books about ordinary childhood problems-not rooted in historical events or racial tensions– where the characters in the story aren’t white. At her new school, Danbi initially feels out of place — the language and customs are all mysterious — but at lunchtime, she creates a fun new game that everyone can play. To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy, Oops! They perform functions like preventing the same content from reappearing, ensuring ads are displayed and, in some cases, selecting content based on your interests. They show a diverse mix of people across the bright and engaging illustrations, that encourage interaction and play, from In the City and On the Farm to At the Airport and To the Moon. Lu. Books with Characters of Color While people of color are still underrepresented in books for kids and teens, we've found lots of great reads with diverse main or supporting characters in all sorts of genres, including mystery, fantasy, romance, adventure, sci-fi, graphic novels, historical fiction, novels in verse -- … is the story of 17-year-old Morgan, who’s struggling with growing up in a mostly white suburban community that prefers to ignore both mental health and race. Start discussions and learn whilst having fun! ————————– Lauren Bercuson shares children’s literature reviews and other bookish fun on Instagram @happily.ever.elephants, on Facebook, on Twitter @KidLitLauren and on her blog Happily Ever Elephants. Amazing Grace By Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Caroline Binch (Frances Lincoln Children's Books) The classic picture book about the little girl who loves stories and shows us that we can be anything we want to be. I could recommend hundreds of books with diverse main characters. Unfortunately in the children's book world, there are far too few stories featuring diverse characters. Picture Books with Diverse Characters by KDawson_DPL - a staff-created list : Here is a list of picture books featuring people of color, different kinds of families, and other underrepresented voices in children's literature. And that? "Diverse books are a tiny slice of what's published," said Elizabeth Perez, a children's librarian at the San Francisco Public Library. In our library, we try to have books that use diverse characters in whatever story is being told, not just as supporting players, but as the heroes too. As well as having diverse characters, it's also a great lesson on the importance of female friendships. Most of the books … You will find LGBTQ characters from different backgrounds and cultures. "All of Rick Riordan's books are pretty diverse. Oddly the Disney Fairies scored well here and the blimmin awful Rainbow fairies have about one ethnically diverse fairy in 10, but given there are 200 books in the series its better than it sounds. Frank seeks the help of his friend Joy Song, and things take an unexpected turn. Patina. That’s why it’s important kids read engaging stories with main characters that are relatable to their lives. The Busy Day series shows a diverse mix of characters that make up the world around them. At the party, Sana pulls all sorts of little-sister shenanigans (inspired by the author’s own little-sister behavior). If you’d like to find out about twenty more books featuring diverse main characters, go to Part One of the list. Mystery Books for Kids with Diverse Characters Posted on April 11, 2016 June 6, 2020 by Pragmatic Mom It was a lot harder than you’d think to find mystery books for kids with characters … by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña. These board books with push-and-pull adventures help little ones play and learn about the world around them, from familiar landscapes to faraway places. Eleven-year-old Scoob is in hot water with his dad, but his grandma whisks him away for a cross-country road trip, retracing the steps that she and Scoob’s grandpa took during the 1960s in the South, guided by their Green Book. The push and pull flaps are great for little ones to explore, play and learn and help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. What books are you and your kids looking forward to reading in the year ahead? by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Some of the books celebrate Pride Month, its history and the people behind it. There are many, many more children’s books with diverse characters that … See More. Lee and Low Books reports that only 7 percent of the new children’s books published in 2017 were written by Black, Latinx, and Native authors combined. Though Frank Li’s parents wanted him to grow up in America, they still have some traditional expectations: namely, that he only date Korean girls. That’s why it’s important kids read engaging stories with main characters that are relatable to their lives. This series of books, which includes M Is for Mindfulness and A Is for Avocado, is a great way for little ones to learn through the alphabet. by Lenore Look, illustrated by Leuyen Pham. As I began my research to find more books to add to our collection, I learned that people of color are grossly underrepresented in children’s books. Diverse characters. 7 books for toddlers with diverse characters It's never too early to talk about race, and reading books with a diverse cast of characters portrayed in positive and non-stereotypical ways can help toddlers and infants to normalise and celebrate difference. The Drum by Ken Wilson-Max, £9.99, Tiny Owl ( The Drum by Ken Wilson-Max (Tiny Owl ) … For more book suggestions with diverse characters like these, I recommend these blogs: Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2020. ‪Melissa Taylor, MA, is a teacher, mama, and writer from Colorado. F Is for Feminism: An Alphabet Book of Empowerment (5+ years). For more on our cookies and changing your settings click here. Many of the books are suitable for pre-school age children. See More. From chasing bugs and eating cake, kids just want to explore and discover. Here’s a shortlist of some to check out. When it comes to kids’ books, it’s important to make sure your reading list offers a wide array of diverse characters; it’s an easy way to show budding readers that while human beings come in all shapes, sizes and colors, we all have the same emotions and feelings. What books are you and your kids looking forward to reading in 2020? A 2018 study out of Cooperative Children's Book Center of Education (CCBC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that the percentage of books depicting characters from diverse … Bollywood-obsessed Winnie Mehta is shocked when her supposed soulmate falls for someone else. Both heartrending and irreverent, Who Put This Song On? A young boy eagerly awaits the start of kindergarten — making new friends, learning new things, and telling his parents all about it. Yumi Chung accidentally finds herself living two lives: as a dutiful daughter and quiet student, and as a stand-up comedian in training. Please know that I value all kind of diversity (neurodiversity, physical diversity, and so forth) but this list focuses on books featuring with non-white, BIPoC characters. Freedom Soup will make your reader want to dance and clap their hands, as Belle and Ti Gran cook up a feast in the kitchen. “We read to know that we are not alone.” —William Nicholson, Shadowlands. With diversity at the forefront of Carolyn Suzuki’s illustrations, each book gently introduces toddlers to each subject, from things they can see, touch and taste in A is for Avocado to forces for good in F Is for Feminism to feelings and senses in M Is for Mindfulness. When Mia’s abuela comes to live with her family, Mia looks forward to getting to know her far-away grandmother. Get reading picks, tips, and activities in your inbox. Celebrate Diversity Books for Little Learners. When coming out to his Muslim family doesn’t go as planned, 18-year-old Amir Azadi packs his bags for Rome. I am creating this list of diverse children’s books because I believe it is incredibly important for all families. What do grown-ups do all day? The Diverse BookFinder data also shows an increase in the amount of picture books being published that feature characters of color whose race/culture is unspecified (e.g. The characters are more than their race/sexuality/identity, but their problems are still open and discussed in a thorough, understanding way. Most of the books listed here are recommended either for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and … Rubina can’t wait to attend her first birthday party, but her mother spoils the excitement when she insists that Rubina’s little sister, Sana, attend too. In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, a multigenerational Cherokee family go about their days and traditions in their home, while their loved one, always in their thoughts, serves as a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. Super heroes come from all around the world and have always been with us, from gods with mighty powers to human heroes who don disguises to save the day. The Skin You Live In. Not just to their humanity, but also to their appearance and their culture. Three sisters are left on their own when their parents are sent back to Mexico. Splash the mermaid does not want to go to bed! View all newsletter. Danbi and her family just immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea. Their language barrier may slow things down, but Mia comes up with a clever solution to help the two connect. Fruits: A Caribbean Counting Poem By Valerie Bloom, illustrated by David Axtell (Macmillan Children's Books) A rhythmic counting poem that describes all manner of delicious Caribbean fruits as a little girl tries to eat as many of t… All are a part of an elite middle school track team that goes to the state championships. Ready? Written by an astrophysicist for his young daughter, Child of the Universe is a simultaneously poetic and scientific exploration of our stunning cosmos and a celebration of the individual brilliance of each child born into it. Kids' books that celebrate Native American heritage. I started this just as a middle grade list, but didn’t want to ignore the littles who are just starting out in the chapter books world, so I featured books for kids from about 1 Ghost. From board books to picture books, these books have characters with non-white skin tones and cultures –in other words, representative of the real world. It's never too early to talk about race, and reading books with a diverse cast of characters portrayed in positive and non-stereotypical ways can help toddlers and infants to normalise and celebrate difference. Sunny. As he pursues his most authentic self, Amir’s old life and new collide in a big way. Not just to their humanity, but also to their appearance and their culture. In the Ladybird Tales of Super Heroes, your young reader can discover six larger-than-life mythic and legendary heroes from around the world, from different backgrounds and worlds, all beautifully illustrated. Beautifully illustrated to show that everyone can be a mermaid, this is the perfect book to send your wide-awake little one to sleep. We’re entering this new decade with another epic list of diverse reads to share with you. by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre. By submitting my email, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. A charming and amusing early chapter book series, Alvin Ho stars as a young Asian American boy who might be intimidated by just about everything at school, but at home he’s a superhero-in-training, also known as Firecracker Man! Diverse Easy Readers & Early Chapter Books What Do We Do All Day: 35 Multicultural Early Chapter Books PragmaticMom: Nina Soni, Former Best Friend and Other Diverse Chapter Books PragmaticMom: Chapter Book Series Starring Diverse Girl Characters PragmaticMom: 5 Great New Diversity Easy Readers PragmaticMom: 11 New Diversity Early Chapter Books PragmaticMom: Top 10 […] Children’s books with diverse characters need to be in every home. Every Tuesday, Lola and her mommy visit the library, check out books, and read them together at a coffee shop where Lola enjoys a special treat and the foam from mommy’s coffee. From interactive books with fun flaps to noisy books with unexpected surprises, our ultimate list of books for two-year-olds will give a little helping hand whatever the occasion – whether it’s playtime or nap time! (4 – 8) A series of books with four kids from very different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. 7 books for toddlers with diverse characters, F Is for Feminism: An Alphabet Book of Empowerment, Industry commitment to professional behaviour. Jason Reynolds. Registered office: 20 Vauxhall Bridge Rd, London. by Tami Charles, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara. Writing Diverse Characters for Fiction, TV or Film [Hay, Lucy V.] on Amazon.com. The son of the farmer whose land the girls are living on, Tyler, struggles with his fears and prejudices, but begins to change as he gets to know the girls better. by Ray Jayawardhana, illustrated by Raul Colón. Daisy Ramona loves riding around her California neighborhood on the back of her Papi’s motorcycle, a cherished daily routine. That is a problem. The characters in this book represent a variety of cultures. Brave Enough, Kati Gardner Author Kati Gardner is a childhood cancer survivor and amputee who looked to … This week for Reading Wednesday, I asked media specialist Lauren Bercuson of Happily Ever Elephants to put together a list of books with diverse main characters. “brown-skinned”). by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez. The UK is a country full of lots of different people, cultures and traditions, and this incredible book bursting with facts is a great way for you and your little reader to explore together. With award-winning poets, brand new voices, hip-hop artists and spoken-word performers, these poems can be performed out loud, shared with others or simply read. See More. With a little help from Dev, a fellow film nerd, Winnie rewrites her love story according to her own script. Baby/Toddler (Ages 0 - 2) and Pre-K (Ages 3 - 5) Which is why we need quality books with culturally and racially diverse main characters! Every Children’s Library Lady book list is as diverse as possible and this one is no exception. 1,253 books — 622 voters Asexuals In Fiction . From tender tales that celebrate individuality to stories that offer new perspectives from history to modern-day, these books for children of all ages feature Black heroes and characters that will inspire and entertain, as well as stories that help facilitate family conversations on racial injustice. This book points out all of the fun things kids love to do. Children's books expert Wendy Cooling offers guidance on why you should read to your baby, along with some top tips. Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Mermaid (5+ years). Here’s a shortlist of some to check out. These cookies may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. Scroll down for nine books where diverse characters take the lead.