Spark conversations about race, injustice, and the beauty of diversity.
This growing collection sets the stage for big conversations about the differences and similarities between us all. It’s never too early - or too late - to encourage kids to start conversations about race, racism, and justice. These outstanding books will get you started!
(For a list of books for older children, please see our Chapter Books to Fuel a Movement page.)
Featured Titles
We Belong by Laura Purdie Salas, Illustrated by Carlos Velez Aguilera
Through engaging illustrations and rhyming verse, this book will have your family celebrating who you are, as well as the diversity in the world around you. Perfect for ages 5 - 7, but all ages will benefit from enjoying this book together.
When We Say Black Lives Matter written and illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke
A parent shares with their child what is meant by Black Lives Matter and all the range of emotions and actions that arise in protest movements. A lyrical, shorter read that can open big conversations with all ages.
Additional DGT Favorites
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Celebrate diversity and inclusion with this beautiful, rhyming poem and its simple, loving refrain: all are welcome here.
A Kids Book about Racism by Jelani Memory
Perfect for young kids and their families, this book offers a gentle starting point for a conversation about racism. Find a reading of this book here.
Across the Alley by Richard Michelson
The story of two boys, Abe and Willie, who become friends despite racial differences by talking through their bedroom windows at night and sharing their talents.
An Apple for Harriet Tubman by Glennette Tilley Turner
An Apple for Harriet Tubman is the story of the life of Harriet Tubman, from her childhood working in the apple orchard on a plantation to her adulthood as a free woman and the conductor on the Underground Railroad.
The Big Orange Splot by D. Manus Pinkwater
Celebrate creativity and individuality with this fun story. Children of all ages will discover how different ways of seeing the world can enrich our lives.
The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit
Originally published in Venezuela, in this book a peaceful family of hens is interrupted by the arrival of a family of capybaras. The hens allow the capybaras to stay only if they follow the rules and don’t interact with them very much, a rule derailed when a young capybara and a chick become friends.
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Fall in love with the latest picture book from the incomparable Jacqueline Woodson. This book is a beautiful reminder to take pride in our own stories, watch for what we have in common with others, and delight in our fabulous differences.
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho
Celebrate the beauty of Asian-shaped eyes with this beautiful, lyrical story. Watch an engaging read-aloud!
The Friendly Four by Eloise Greenfield
Told through engaging poetry, this story celebrates friendship as the best antidote to a "bummer summer."
The Judgemental Flower by Julia Cook
When Purple moves to the Blue Patch, all of the flowers struggle a bit to know the right way to react. In the end, they take their cue from the bees, the birds, and the wind, who treat all flowers the same.
Hey, Little Ant by Phillip M. Hoose, Hannah Hoose, and Debbie Tilley
Practice empathy by stepping into the smallest shoes imaginable. Seeing the world from such a different point of view offers a great starting point for imagining how different people experience the world.
I am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
Gorgeously illustrated by Gordon C. James, this encouraging, empowering story refrain is an essential addition to every child’s big-hearted reading list.
Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor
Celebrate differences and discover a simple way to learn more about the people next to you: just ask!
Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi
Lailah is finally old enough to fast for Ramadan. But as a new girl in a new country, she worries about how her classmates will react.
Let's Talk about Race by Julius Lester
Even the youngest children will be drawn into a thoughtful conversation about race with this remarkable little book. Julius Lester, a Newbery-Honor-winning author helps kids understand race as just one of many chapters in a person's story.
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
For a child new to America whose whole world is changing, the continuity of her own name may mean an awful lot. And friends who are willing to take the time to learn her name may mean even more. This is a great book about acceptance, friendship, and change.
Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
When a young unicorn is born to a family of narwhals, he can't help but notice the many ways he stand out. Is he a land narwhal or a sea unicorn? Join young Kelp on his sweet journey to discover who he his and how to celebrate differences while emphasizing what he has in common.
One Green Apple by Eve Bunting
Imagine how you might feel if you suddenly lived in a new country where everyone spoke differently, dressed differently, and ate differently. Celebrate ethnic and cultural diversity with this heart-warming story of Farah, an immigrant who is relieved to discover some familiar sights on a field trip to an apple orchard, where she begins to create new friendships across differences.
One by Kathryn Otoshi
This story may seem sweet and simple, but at its core is an important lesson about embracing differences, the power of standing up for others, and empathy.
The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler
This elegantly simple little story introduces our youngest readers to acceptance, friendship, and diversity.
Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light by Tim Tingle
The author weaves his family's personal history into a bewitching story about a boy, his grandmother, and the challenges faced by modern American Indian families.
The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss
What happens when you organize the world into them versus us, plain-belly sneetch or star-belly sneetch? This children's classic makes a mockery of superficial judgments, providing the perfect starting point for a conversation about similarities, differences, and acceptance.
Smoky Night by Eve Bunting
Inspired by the L.A. race riots and the civil rights movement, this is the story of a neighborhood that learns to bridge differences during hard times.
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence
In this fictional tale of a relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter, the author explores the impact of the residential school system across generations -- and the importance of preserving Native language.
The Other Side by Jacqueline Wilson
The story of Clover and Annie, two young girls who are able to become friends despite the racial divide in their community.
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story about Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano PhD , Marietta Collins PhD, and Ann Hazzard PhD.
This gentle but profound story is the perfect platform for launching a conversation about racial injustice. Watch a moving video of it here.
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
This simple, lyrical book is the perfect bedtime story for very young children and an exceptional reminder that across the world children everywhere share profound similarities along with fascinating differences.
The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
A Chinese-American girl is unhappy with her mother’s garden, filled with ugly vegetables rather than the beautiful flowers their neighbors are growing. That changes when she (and her neighbors) taste the delicious soup her mother makes.
Wings by Christopher Myers
It’s hard enough being the new kid in school, but being the new kid and the only kid with wings is even worse. This creative tale will help kids understand what it feels like to be the add person out. Watch an engaging read-aloud by Ki with Woke Kindergarten.
You Matter by Christian Robinson
Young readers will love this sweet, powerful exploration of the many different ways we are all connected. Watch this engaging read aloud with the author via PBS.
Reflections
Browse our collection of tools to raise anti-racist kids.
What can be learned from considering various points of view?
Imagine you are one of the characters in these stories. How would you feel in their place?
What are some things you can do every day to celebrate differences?
Make your home reflect cultural diversity by the art, music, and books you display; the movies and television shows you choose to watch, and the restaurants your family frequents.
Or, try this: On a sheet of paper, draw a Venn diagram, list the things that are unique about you on the left side, the things that are unique about a character in one of these books on the right side. Add similarities in the middle. Take time to respectfully discuss these differences and similarities as a family.
For rich resources celebrating diversity through children's literature, browse these outstanding resources.
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The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.