Picture Books That Celebrate Diversity: Great for the Classroom and Home
Below is a list of some of my favorite picture books for elementary school age students as well as books that I own in my own personal library. We read for thirty minutes every night before bed as part of our bedtime routine and some of these books get read multiple times a week as they are family favorites.
In another post I wrote recently about diverse short stories that are for middle and high school, I discussed how books are like windows and mirrors. The phrase “mirrors and windows” was initially introduced by Emily Style for the National SEED Project. A mirror is a story that reflects your own culture and helps you build your identity. A window is a resource that offers you a view into someone else’s experience. It is critical to understand that students cannot truly learn about themselves unless they learn about others as well.”
It is so important that children see themselves in the books and texts that we read to them. It is also very important that we read stories and texts to our students and children that celebrate diversity. Race may be a social construct, but our youngest children notice the differences between themselves. The more they read and learn about other cultures, traditions, and families that may not look like their own, the more they can find all of the amazing similarities and realize that we are all very much alike.
Picture Books That Celebrate LGBTQ+ Students and Families:
Jamie is Jamie: a Book about Being Yourself and Playing Your Way by Afsaneh Moradian and illustrated by Maria Bogade
Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jessica Walton and illustrated by Dougal MacPherson
Who Are You?: The Kid's Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee and illustrated by Naomi Bardoff
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn and illustrated by Noah Grigni
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer and illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
In Our Mothers' House by Patricia Polacco
Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Eda Kaban
Books That Celebrate Diversity
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Peña
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali and illustrated by Hatem Aly
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar and illustrated by Alea Marley
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
I Really Want to See You, Grandma by Taro Gomi
Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Books that Celebrate Black Joy:
Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Black Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy and Ekua Holmes
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Skin Like Mine by LaTashia M. Perry
My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World by Malcolm Mitchell and illustrated by Michael Robertson
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison
I Am Enough by Grace Byers and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James
All Because You Matter by Tami Charles and illustrated by Bryan Collier
Note to our readers- I added links to Amazon for ease of use for all of our readers. However, I love getting my picture books from my local independent book store and my not so local Black owned book stores whenever possible. If you have an independent book store in your neighborhood, I am sure they would love your business!
Happy Teaching!