Books about Diversity—of All Types, for Children of All Ages
A special feature for The Child Repair Guide by Elena Maddox
In anticipation of my interview with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum on How to Talk to Kids about Race, I asked my friend Elena Maddox to put together a list of books you can read to your kids to introduce the topic of celebrating our differences.
Elena is the Children’s Librarian at the Free Library of Springfield Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The list she’s compiled below is outstanding — with topics ranging from race, gender, LGBTQ, culture, disability, and even the names we’re given — you’re bound to find something that’s perfect for introducing your children to the big, important topics that connect us all!
We’ve broken these down by age, and even given you brief descriptions of each book. Enjoy!
Please note that this article uses affiliate links, which means that you help support The Child Repair Guide when making a purchase through a link below. – Dr. Steve @zendocsteve
You can read my interview with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum on ‘How to Talk to Kids about Race’ here.
Really anything by Todd Parr is wonderful for little ones. With bright, colorful illustrations and simple words, Parr offers young readers a great introduction to diversity using both animals and people.
One Family by George Shannon; illustrated by Blanca Gomez
This book represents families of all shapes, ages, sizes, races and genders.
Leo attends baby time with friends of all colors. My favorite part is how his sock falls off little by little as the story goes on. It always gave me a chuckle when mine was as little as Leo!
Carmelita and her mother, along with their dog Manny, take a walk to visit Abuela Rosa. Along the way they greet neighborhood friends from all nations with a hello.
** Don’t be afraid to read the longer picture books listed below to babies & toddlers!
Preschoolers & Young Elementary Students (ages 5-8)
Clover doesn’t understand why her mama won’t let her play with Anna on the other side of the fence. The two girls sneak around the rules but sitting right on top of the fence.
This Caldecott Honor Book and Newbery Award winner combines beautiful paint and collage illustrations with a moving story about C. J. and his nana taking a long bus ride to volunteer at a soup kitchen, their Sunday tradition. Along the way C. J. learns to look for the beauty in everything. A great story to highlight volunteerism as well as diversity!
When the master of a plantation dies, the mistress advertises their slaves, along with household items such as furniture and farm equipment, as being up for sale. Gaining inspiration from original slave auction paperwork as well as plantation estate documentation, Bryan writes a fictional account of the eleven slaves listed. This book humanizes each person telling stories of their past, their current families and loves, and what they dream of for the future.
This Day in June by Gayle Pitman; illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Whimsical depiction of an annual pride parade. A great introduction for the acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community.
Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie; illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Thunder Boy Jr. (yes, that’s his real name) hates his name! Thunder Boy has lots of suggestions for new names but will he be allowed to pick a new one?
I Am Jazz by Jessica Hershel and Jazz Jennings; illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experiences of Jazz Jennings. A sensitive subject told with great respect for little ones.
Anything by Karen Katz is wonderful. This book celebrates kids of all colors by using familiar foods to compare skin color: coffee, honey, cinnamon, coconut, etc. All are celebrated, all are beautiful.
I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; paintings by Kadir Nelson
Breathtaking illustrations only enhance the beauty and importance of Dr. King’s words. A great introduction to the Civil Rights Movement for a younger crowd.
Seven years before Brown v. Board of Education, Sylvia’s family fought for her and her brothers’ right to attend the school in their community, not the “Mexican” school.
The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania Al Abdullah with Kelly DiPucchio; illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Lily and Salma are best friends. Lily thinks Salma’s hummus pita sandwich looks gross. Salma thinks Lily’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich looks gross. And then they trade. Wonderful story about not making snap judgements about anything.
True story of author Patricia Polacco’s time in a “junkyard” classroom of special students. An incredible teacher and inspiring classmates will move readers to rethink their definition of genius.
Ruby Bridges is the first black child allowed to attend William Frantz Elementary School. This book details her daily struggle walking through an angry mob simply to attend school and the positive attitude she kept in the face of such adversity and hatred.
Delphine always takes care of her two younger sisters Vonetta and Fern. In the summer of 1968, the girls are shipped off to Oakland, California to visit the mother who abandoned them seven years ago. Their mother shows little interest in taking care of the girls and sends them to a summer camp sponsored by the revolutionary group, The Black Panthers. There the girls get a radical new education.
This is the first book in a three-book series about the Gaither sisters. They’re all fantastic.
The Watsons leave their Flint, Michigan home to visit mom Wilona’s hometown of Birmingham, Alabama in the summer of 1963, one of the most turbulent years in US history. Told through the eyes of 10-year-old Kenneth, the book follows the “Weird Watsons” as they learn that things in the south are very different from Michigan. And then Kenneth’s younger sister is attending Sunday school at the 16th Street Baptist Church when a bomb goes off…
Zomorod Yousefzadeh is the new kid in school … again. But this time she’s determined to start fresh with a new name (Cindy). But when relations between Iran and the United States rapidly deteriorate, Cindy finds it hard to build friendship and overcome racial stereotypes. Laugh out loud funny and touching.
This autobiographical graphic novel is about Cece and her Phonic Ear hearing aid. At her old school everyone was deaf. At her new school, she is different. But Cece’s Phonic Ear has a super power. It’s so powerful she can hear the teachers all over the school! In the lounge, in the hallways, even in the bathroom. Maybe her new superpower will get her the one thing she wants more than anything in the world … a true friend.
If your kids haven’t already been assigned this book for school, make sure they seek it out.
Auggie Pullman is born with a facial deformity. After being home schooled for years, he’s about to start fifth grade and being the new kid isn’t easy. So happy and uplifting it will make you want to hug the world.
When people look at George they see a boy. But that’s not what she sees. When her teacher announces the class play this year will be Charlotte’s Web, George wants to audition for the role of Charlotte but is not allowed because she’s a boy. An important and honest story about a sensitive subject.
Written in verse, Thanhha Lai describes 10-year-old Há’s journey to America from Vietnam during wartime. A homesick Há struggles with the unfamiliar food, the language, and the kids in her new home but along the way learns the importance of family.
Also by this author: Listen, Slowly, about a little girl learning to appreciate her Vietnamese roots is also worth a read.
Another book told in verse, Alexander tells the story of twin brothers Josh and Jordan who dominate the basketball court. There’s themes of friendship, family, courage, sportsmanship, academics, and fairness.
Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are two rights we take for granted. Not to mention freedom to learn and get an education. This is the story of a young girl who stood up for what she believed in, what was her right. And she was punished. And against unspeakable adversity, she rose.
This is Woodson’s memoir. Another book written in verse, she shares her experiences growing up in the south in the 1960s and 1970s, her growing awareness of the Civil Rights Movement, and her emerging love of writing.
Esperanza is the daughter of a wealthy landowner in Mexico during The Great Depression. But after her father dies, she and her mother are forced to move to California and work as farmhands. This novel discusses tough topics such as discrimination and race, labor and living conditions, forced deportation, and family and kindness. Keep tissues handy!
Starr Carter is in the passenger seat when her unarmed best friend is killed by a policeman. When Starr is caught up in the media frenzy and sociopolitical implications that follow, she realizes that innocent until proven guilty doesn’t apply to everyone. An important, timely and powerful book that’s a must read for teens.
When Arnold Spirit discovers that the all white school outside of his “rez” is far superior, he transfers. Now his friends feel abandoned and he has to navigate a 22-mile commute. However, Arnold is still able to navigate school troubles, poverty, death, and family alcoholism with great humor and cartoon illustrations.
March: Books 1-3 by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin; illustrated by Nate Powell
This graphic novel series is a powerful first-hand view of the Civil Rights Movement (that pulls no punches with language or violence conveyed) written by an American icon and a key figure of the movement.
Jin Wang is the only Chinese-American kid in his school. By weaving together the different stories of Jin, Danny (whose life is ruined by his stereotypical Asian cousin), and the tale of the Monkey King (an old Chinese fable), this book tackles Asian stereotypes and manages to be both funny and sad.
Ms. Marvel series by G. Willow Wilson; illustrated by Adrian Alphona
Another graphic novel series. Pakistani-American Kamala Khan is an ordinary Jersey girl … until she realizes she can shapeshift. Now she’s caught navigating between her Muslim beliefs with her traditional family and her super powers.
After her parents die suddenly Cameron is forced to move in with her conservative grandmother and Aunt Ruth. Cameron tries to lay low and fit in but then she meets Coley. When Cameron is reported to a local priest as an instigator of unnatural sexual activity by Coley (the very girl she’d been “unnatural” with) she’s sent to God’s Promise, a conversion therapy treatment center.
A wordless graphic novel conveying how an immigrant feels in a new land where they don’t understand the language or the customs. A reminder that we’re all immigrants here.
A personal note from Elena Maddox: READ TO YOUR KIDS! From birth until they won’t let you anymore! Sharing stories, hearing language, and the bonding that occurs when you read to children is so important. Don’t think that just because your newborn baby is a little meatloaf that they’re not listening and learning!
