Diversity Book Suggestions
Collated by Ginny Daniels
Table of Contents
Books for General Diversity
By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn't matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn't matter how many legs you have. Don't worry that there won't be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room. Lush illustrations and simple, lyrical text subtly address themes of inclusion and tolerance in this sweet story that accomplished illustrator Amy June Bates co-wrote with her daughter, Juniper, while walking to school together in the rain.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.4
When her abuelo is injured at the local landfill, second-grader Sofia is determined to transform the dangerous Mount Trashmore into a park, taking on City Hall in the process.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.4
An Arab girl of the Sahara who wants to wear a malafa, the veiled dress worn by her mother and older sister, learns that the garment represents beauty, mystery, tradition, belonging, and faith.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.7
Long before Oscar became a virtuoso jazz pianist, he was a boy who loved to play the trumpet. When a bout of childhood tuberculosis weakened his lungs, Oscar could no longer play his beloved instrument. He took up piano and the rest is history: Oscar went on to become an international jazz piano sensation.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.9
It's Chinese New Year! Curious George and his friend Marco are excited to learn about new traditions. Can they help their new friend Lily fix her dragon puppet in time for the big parade?
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.6
Tip: Consider updating classic series with additional, contemporary titles, or with re-published and re-illustrated copies that include images of the diversity of races that exist.
There are so many ways to dance! You can jiggle or wiggle or stomp. You can bop or bounce or go completely nuts. You can dance at the market or the bus stop, with your fingers or your face. You can dance because you're happy or even because you're sad. But, what's the best way to dance? Exactly how you want to!
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 0.8
Young Reuven becomes friends with a fish which gladly shares his golden scales with the needy people of Reuven's village, although each lost scale puts his own health at risk. Includes author's note about the origin of the story in two Jewish tales, and the guidance found in every religion, and in economics, for protecting our environment and using resources wisely.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.9
As a young girl observes that each of six women in her life wears her hijab and hair in a different way, she considers how to express her own style one day.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.4
In simple rhyming text a young Muslim girl guides the reader through the traditions and shapes of Islam.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.2
Ruby wants to build a fort, but her three brothers refuse to help, so when the fort is finished Ruby will not let them join her--until the boys come up with a few embellishments for the fort, like a mailbox, a garden, and a fresh coat of paint.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.9
Lubna's best friend is a pebble. Pebble always listens to her stories. Pebble always smiles when she feels scared. But when a lost little boy arrives in the World of Tents, Lubna realizes that he needs Pebble even more than she does.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.6
First, Nanda's entire world is the circle of her mother's arms but as she grows, she sees the wonder of whirligigs, fractals in the snow, and even the circle of the Earth, itself.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: Not listed
Faizah relates how she feels on the first day her sister, sixth-grader Asiya, wears a hijab to school.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.6
Saoussan moves to Canada from Beirut and has trouble understanding a new language and different customs. Re-illustrated and re-published.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.1
Once upon a time (but not too long ago), girls only wore dresses. And only boys wore pants. Until one day, a young girl named Mary had a bold idea: She would wear whatever she wanted. And she wanted to wear pants! Inspired by the true story of Mary Edwards Walker, a trailblazing doctor who was arrested many times for wearing pants, this . . . picture book encourages readers to think for themselves while gently challenging gender and societal norms.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.6
Illustrations and simple, rhyming text introduce a school where diversity is celebrated and songs, stories, and talents are shared.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.0
On a small family farm, an old truck falls into disrepair and lies nearly forgotten, except by the family's daughter. The truck has been part of her daydreams as she grows up and develops strength and independence. As an industrious young woman, she pulls the rusted and overgrown vehicle from its almost-grave and restores it.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.4
Celebrates United States immigration and the country's diverse immigrant heritage.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.2
A young girl and her cat take an imaginative journey into another world.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: Wordless
A young Muslim girl puts on a head scarf and not only feels closer to her mother, she also imagines herself as a queen, the sun, a superhero, and more.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.7
Teddy's favorite toy has the best manners, and the sickest fighting skills, and the ability to pull off a number of fierce looks. But when his toy goes missing, it turns out there's another woman around who's pretty fierce--it's Teddy's mom, and she will stop at nothing to reunite Teddy with his favorite toy.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.6
A story about a little girl named Sonya who raises three chickens.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.1
As a little girl and her father work together to make her birthday cake, he tells the story of her Grandpa Cacao, a farmer from the Ivory Coast. Includes author's note and a cake recipe.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.5
The story of how the Little Free Library organization brings communities together through books, from founder Todd Bol's first installation to the creation of more than 75,000 mini-libraries around the world.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.4
Shares mindfulness activities that teach children how to focus their thoughts and pay attention, with care, to one moment at a time, including breathing exercises, moving the body to unwind stress, and taking a walk in the woods.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.7
Jennifer Keelan was determined to make a change--even if she was just a kid. She never thought her wheelchair could slow her down, but the way the world around her was built made it hard to do even simple things . . . Jennifer knew that everyone deserves a voice! Then the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that would make public spaces much more accessible to people with disabilities, was proposed to Congress. And to make sure it passed, Jennifer went to the steps of the Capitol building in Washington DC to convince them. And, without her wheelchair, she climbed. All the way to the top!
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.3
Looks at the lives of three women who made contributions in the field of science including Ada Lovelace, Marie Curie, and Amelia Earhart.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: not listed
Stacy always knew that the intelligent, playful wolves who raised her weren't like other animals. Normal wolf packs don't spend their time rescuing animals and caring for an orphaned girl. But lately, Stacy's wolves have revealed to her just how special they are--supernaturally special. They each have their own unique ability: they can breathe underwater, run at impossible speeds, heal wounds, and more. They're extraordinary--but how did they get that way? Determined to uncover the truth, Stacy leads the pack north.But the harsh tundra biome pushes the pack to its limits. Can they survive long enough to discover the truth? And is Stacy prepared for what the truth actually is?
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 6.0
In vibrant photographs and lyrical words this book celebrates the arrival of spring.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.5
A biography of Sophie Germain, who grew up during the French Revolution and followed her dream of studying mathematics, becoming the first woman to win a grand prize from the Royal Academy of Sciences and changing the world with her discoveries.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.0
Everyone on Earth is different. Kids who have someone in their family with Down syndrome might wonder about their family member's unique differences. This title will help children who have questions about Down syndrome. What is it and how is their family member different? How can young readers respond to questions from their own friends about their family member? The age-appropriate text and full-color photographs presented in this book will help children tackle questions and situations that might arise.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.6
While visiting a pumpkin farm, two friends learn all about pumpkins, how they grow, what they taste like, and why people make them into jack-o-lanterns.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.8
Tells the story of Julian's grandma's childhood as she, a Jewish girl, was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II and how the boy she once shunned became her savior and best friend.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 4.7
From Magic Johnson to Michael Jordan to LeBron James to Steph Curry, ESPN's Howard Bryant presents the best from the hardwood--a collection of NBA champions and superstars for young sports fans!
Int. Level: 3 -6 Rd. Level: 5.8
Simplified text with an ample amount of sight words and repetition makes this sports series ideal for emergent readers. Short, basic descriptions of each sport, plus its gear, safety ideas, and a quick description of how to play, keep the books simple and the layouts uncluttered. Pages with short text passages are opposite colorful photos, and the text never exceeds four lines on a spread. Lots of big, colorful images feature happy young athletes. Far from extensive, these titles provide simple, inclusive options for beginning readers that will satisfy early elementary teachers, caregivers, and young kids.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 0.9
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s successes on the field, particularly its 1999 World Cup win, have also turned it into a force for social change. In four succinct chapters, the text gives background on the team and explains how these women have used their worldwide popularity to advocate for equal rights for women in sports, support gay players, and provide opportunities to lower-income players. Large photos, info boxes, and one-page asides enhance the main text, adding historical context and player profiles. This provides refreshing insight into the sportsmanship side of soccer and why these women are such effective, inspiring role models.
Int. Level: 3 -6 Rd. Level: 6.5
Because Bobbi Gibb is a girl, she's not allowed to run on her school's track team. But after school, no one can stop her--and she's free to run endless miles to her heart's content. She is told no yet again when she tries to enter the Boston Marathon in 1966, because the officials claim that it's a man's race and that women are just not capable of running such a long distance. So what does Bobbi do? She bravely sets out to prove the naysayers wrong and show the world just what a girl can do.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.8
Whether just trying out for the team or reaching for the Olympics, there's something for every reader in this playful poetry collection! From baseball, basketball, and football to double-dutch, mini-golf, and turning a cartwheel, these poems look at facing fears, dreaming big, and never giving up. This well-rounded collection explores sports and play across all abilities and backgrounds.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.0
A young boy and his pioneer family move to the desert where they are the only Jewish family in their small "Wild West" town. Living among strangers without their extended family proves challenging. Every Shabbat, Mama complains there is "too much soup, not enough family." To help overcome Mama's homesickness, the boy invites their new neighbors for Shabbat dinner. By honoring the Jewish value of inviting guests home, the family creates a sense of community.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.3
At recess, Chloe pointedly gathers her best friends to share secrets while ignoring new-girl Maya's advances of friendship. Maya plays alone, seemingly unbowed by the ostracism, until one day, suddenly, she's gone. A silent, belatedly thoughtful Chloe regrets "each kindness I had never shown." Woodson's affecting story focuses on the withholding of friendship rather than outright bullying; Lewis reflects the pensive mood in sober watercolors.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.1
Women are making important discoveries an land, under the sea, and in space. This title looks at individuals who are making a major difference in these fields. Compelling text, color photos, and helpful back matter highlight these women and their work. Features include a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: Not listed
They said only men could paint powerful pictures, but Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) splashed her way through the modern art world. Channeling deep emotion, Helen poured paint onto her canvas and danced with the colors to make art unlike anything anyone had ever seen. She used unique tools like mops and squeegees to push the paint around, to dazzling effects. Frankenthaler became an originator of the influential "Color Field" style of abstract expressionist painting with her "soak stain" technique, and her artwork continues to electrify new generations of artists today. Dancing Through Fields of Color discusses Frankenthaler's early life, how she used colors to express emotion, and how she overcame the male-dominated art world of the 1950s.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 5.4
One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly. In this visual nonfiction biography, richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, the Newbery Honor-winning author Joyce Sidman paints her own picture of one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 7.7
Moose loves helping his girl, Zara, and Zara loves having her dog Moose help her. Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed at school, and Moose's escape acts from his house, his crate, and the backyard aren't helping his cause. How can Zara get her lovable pooch a free pass to the classroom?
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.6
Aven Green loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, or a wildfire in Tanzania, but the truth is she was born without them. And when her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown western theme park in Arizona, Aven moves with them across the country knowing that she'll have to answer the question over and over again. Her new life takes an unexpected turn when she bonds with Connor, a classmate who also feels isolated because of his own disability, and they discover a room at Stagecoach Pass that holds bigger secrets than Aven ever could have imagined. It's hard to solve a mystery, help a friend, and face your worst fears. But Aven's about to discover she can do it all . . . even without arms.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 4.6
Back in the days of long skirts and afternoon teas, young Joan Procter entertained the most unusual party guests- slithery and scaly ones, who turned over teacups and crawled past the crumpets....While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere--she even brought a crocodile to school!
When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children's tea parties--with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor.
With a lively text and vibrant illustrations, scientist and writer Patricia Valdez and illustrator Felicita Sala bring to life Joan Procter's inspiring story of passion and determination.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.9
Something rather extraordinary is happening in Caroline's life today. Her family is adopting a new baby sister! A warm and loving story about school, family, siblings, and adoption, for anyone eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new sibling.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.1
When the sun sets, Dad's job as a school custodian is just beginning. What is it like to work on a Friday night while the rest of the city is asleep? There's the smell of lilacs in the night air, the dusky highway in the moonlight, and glimpses of shy nighttime animals to make the dark magical. Shooting baskets in the half-lit gym, sweeping the stage with the game on the radio, and reading out loud to his father in the library all help the boy's time pass quickly. But what makes the night really special is being with Dad.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.7
Timeless wisdom is found in absurdity in these tales of an iconic Muslim character known as the sagest man in the village — and also its biggest fool. Would you like to know how a thief can turn into a donkey? Whether a cow can climb a pole? Or why you should spoon yogurt into a lake? Mulla Nasruddin knows all the answers, and he might also tell you why he rides his donkey backwards. Whether in the guise of an imam in a mosque or a beggar in the street, this trickster is never at a loss for a rejoinder, though it may leave you scratching your head, rolling your eyes, or laughing out loud. Enjoy twenty-one classic tales about a much-loved character from Muslim cultures in a book packed with jokes, riddles, and wisdom and paired with vibrant, theatrical illustrations
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.2
Provides an introduction to the Special Olympics, exploring the topic through the lenses of history, geography, civics, and economics.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 6.9
Empowerment. Goal-setting. Positivity. Oh yeah, and sports too. Killion has distilled the best of the best moments and biographical information into an easy-to-read and exciting look at the players and moments in women’s soccer. Inspirational quotes from the players start each chapter, and it’s not difficult to imagine readers taking them to heart. The book goes beyond the basic statistics of the players (presented at the end of each chapter for easy reference) to introduce readers to their stories, both highs and lows.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 7.4
The youngest, smallest kid on each team, Mo works hard to learn and improve his skills. Who could begrudge this unlikely sports hero the good luck that comes his way in each book?
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.8
A little girl with flowing violet hair guides readers through her creative process, guided by a limitless imagination: "what if that pencil one day disappeared? / I'd fold up the paper till stories appeared." The popping pink-and-purple mixed-media illustrations--incorporating sculpture, origami, collage, photography, and more--gorgeously underscore the message that an artist is more than her tools.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.5
Books for Multicultural Diversity
In many places around the globe, the new year starts on January 1. But not everywhere! Chinese New Year is celebrated in January or February. Iranians observe Nowruz in March. For Thai people, Songkran occurs in April. Ethiopians greet the new year at Enkutatash in September. All these diverse cultural, regional, and religious observances, and many others, have deep-rooted traditions and treasured customs. Acclaimed poet Marilyn Singer has created a lively poetry collection that highlights sixteen of these fascinating festivities, some well-known and some less familiar. Together with Susan L. Roth's captivating collage illustrations, the poems take readers to the heart of these beloved holidays. Every month of the year, somewhere in the world people celebrate with joy and good wishes for a happy new year.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.8
Every year, Haitians all over the world ring in the new year by eating a special soup, a tradition dating back to the Haitian Revolution. This year, Ti Gran is teaching Belle how to make the soup -- Freedom Soup -- just like she was taught when she was a little girl. Together, they dance and clap as they prepare the holiday feast, and Ti Gran tells Belle about the history of the soup, the history of Belle's family, and the history of Haiti, where Belle's family is from.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.1
Participating in a first Carnival since her mother left to find a better job, Malaika fears she will not be able to dance in the parade without a costume and comes up with an idea to use scrap fabric to create a patchwork rainbow peacock outfit.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.9
After Malaika's mother marries a French-Canadian, the family moves to Quebec where it is cold, no one understands when she talks, and Carnival is nothing like the celebration Malaika knows from home.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.3
Millions of children around the world take baths every day. Many of them don't want to at first... But once they get into their Australian bogey hole, Colombian mud volcano, or Nepalese hot spring, they don't want to get out!
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.6
A picture book biography of artist and painter Marc Chagall, a Russian-French artist of Belarusian, Jewish origin.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.6
On the Horizon tells the story of people whose lives were lost or forever altered by the twin tragedies of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. Based on the lives of soldiers at Pearl Harbor and civilians in Hiroshima, On the Horizon contemplates humanity and war through verse that sings with pain, truth, and the importance of bridging cultural divides. This masterful work emphasizes empathy and understanding in search of commonality and friendship, vital lessons for students as well as citizens of today’s world. Kenard Pak’s stunning illustrations depict real-life people, places, and events, making for an incredibly vivid return to our collective past.
In turns haunting, heartbreaking, and uplifting, On the Horizon will remind readers of the horrors and heroism in our past, as well as offer hope for our future.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: Not listed
What do curry, Cinco de Mayo, and Chinese acupuncture have in common? They're each just one of the countless contributions that immigrants have made to American culture. Immigrant communities form an integral part of the fabric of American society. This series explores the history of several of the United States' largest communities of immigrants, narrating the history of their migration, the difficulties they faced upon arrival, and how they assimilated into society at large. These tales are triumphant and are sure to inspire readers to understand the value of human migration and cultural exchange.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 7.7 to 8.9
The truth that if one’s parents hadn’t met one wouldn’t exist is a head-exploding realization of childhood. In this celebration of ancestry, Petricic bounces off that revelation to create an innovative introduction to the ordinary miracle of genealogy. Read from front to middle, we meet the paternal line through five generations, Pops and Nana and all the rest. Read from back to middle, we are given portraits of the maternal line, Gong Gong and Po Po and their parents and children. And in a glorious middle double-page spread we see the whole extended family. Look who got the ginger eyebrows, the curly hair, the wide eyes. Stick-out ears come from both great-great-grandfathers and manifest in our first-person narrator and all his cousins. Having met the whole gang, we can move back and forth, tracing and inventing individual stories. Did the narrator get his love of football from that uncle? Where did the gay uncle meet his partner? Will any of the cousins grow up to be a musician, a soldier, a doctor, in business? Cartoonist Petricic’s gift for caricature is put to joyful use here, showing one family in all its variations and particular beauty.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.8
Step into unique homes from around the world and discover the many fascinating ways in which people live and have lived. If you lived in the mountains of southern Spain, your bedroom might be carved out of a mountain. If you lived in a village in South Africa, the outside of your house might tell the story of your family. And if you lived in a floating green house in the Netherlands, you could rotate your house to watch both the sunrise and sunset.
With intricate bas-relief collages, Giles Laroche uncovers the reason why each home was constructed the way in which it was, then lets us imagine what it would be like to live in homes so different from our own. Showing the tremendous variety of dwellings worldwide--log cabins, houses on stilts, cave dwellings, boathouses, and yurts--this book addresses why each house is build the way that it is. Reasons--such as blending into the landscape, confusing invaders, being able to travel with one's home, using whatever materials are at hand--are as varied as the homes themselves.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 6.3
In this fourth book, Anna is both excited and apprehensive when her waitress friend from China, Fan (introduced in The Year of the Fortune Cookie), comes to Cincinnati as an exchange student. Anna must both adjust to seventh grade (without Laura and Camille) and help Fan learn a new language and customs. Another sensitive and thoughtful entry in the Anna Wang series.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.4
Through a series of poems, a young girl chronicles the life-changing year of 1975, when she, her mother, and her brothers leave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.8
A touching story of family, loss, and memory. Dara's grandmother, Lok Yeay, is full of stories about her life growing up in Cambodia, before she immigrated to the United States. Lok Yeay tells her granddaughter of the fruits and plants that grew there, and how her family would sit in their yard and watch the stars that glowed like fireflies. Lok Yeay tells Dara about her brother, Lok Ta, who is still in Cambodia, and how one day she will return with Dara and Dara's family to visit the place she still considers home. But when a phone call disrupts Lok Yeay's dream to see her brother again, Dara becomes determined to bring her grandmother back to a place of happiness.
Anne Sibley O'Brien's dreamlike illustrations beautifully complement this fictional story based on real-life experiences. Back matter contains information about the admission of Cambodian refugees into the United States, specifically Maine, after soldiers forced them out of their homeland in the 1970s.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.9
Even though he is confined to a wheelchair, a Pakistani boy tries to capture the most kites during Basant, the annual spring kite festival, and become "king" for the day. Includes an afterword about the Basant festival.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.9
Eleven-year-old Jaden is adopted, and he knows he's an "epic fail.' That's why his family is traveling to Kazakhstan to adopt a new baby--to replace him, he's sure. And he gets it. He is incapable of stopping his stealing, hoarding, lighting fires, aggressive running, and obsession with electricity. He knows his parents love him, but he feels...nothing.
But when they get to Kazakhstan, it turns out the infant they've travelled for has already been adopted, and literally within minutes are faced with having to choose from six other babies. While his parents agonize, Jaden is more interested in the toddlers. One, a little guy named Dimash, spies Jaden and barrels over to him every time he sees him. Jaden finds himself increasingly intrigued by and worried about Dimash. Already three years old and barely able to speak, Dimash will soon age out of the orphanage, and then his life will be as hopeless as Jaden feels now. For the first time in his life, Jaden actually feels something that isn't pure blinding fury, and there's no way to control it, or its power.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 4.7
After a devastating tsunami in Japan, cousins Jet and Kai spend the summer together in Astoria, Oregon, training for the Young's Bay Treasure Island Race and become close friends in the process.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.8
This book relays the factual details of the California Gold Rush. The narrative provides multiple accounts of the event, and readers learn details through the point of view of a builder working on Sutter's Mill when gold was discovered, a '49er who left New York for California, and a prospector from Chile who came by ship to California to find riches. The text offers opportunities to compare and contrast various perspectives in the text while gathering and analyzing information about a historical event.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.6
Let's celebrate / by Sue Hardy-Dawson -- Chinese dragon / by Catherine Benson -- Pancake Day / by Debra Bertulis -- Holi, festival of color / by Punitha Perinparaja -- Mother's Day / by Eric Finney -- Children's Day / by Penny Kent -- Eid-ul-Fitr / by Penny Kent -- It's Diwali tonight! / by John Foster -- Harvest thanks / by Jan Dean -- Hallowe'en pumpkin / by Dorothy Aldis -- Fireworks! / by Judith Nicholls -- Eight candles burning / by Celia Warren -- Long, long ago / by Anon -- Christmas Eve / by Brian Moses -- Happy New Year / by Brenda Williams. A collection of fifteen poems for young readers about festivals and holidays.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.0
An uplifting tale of love, compassion, and new beginnings. Written by two of the volunteers who reunited Kunkush the cat with his family, and with the full cooperation of the family, this account will pull at readers' heartstrings. During a summer night in 2015, not long after the death of her husband, Sura arranged for herself, her five children, and one hidden treasure to be smuggled out of Mosul, Iraq. This treasure was their beloved cat Kunkush, and Sura knew that they couldn't leave him behind-even if that meant keeping him hidden in a small carrier from three smugglers during car and bus rides and hours of hiking through mountains and forests. Unfortunately Kunkush's carrier broke, and after landing in Greece he escaped, devastating the family. Although it took four months, volunteers, the Internet, and a journey spanning thousands of miles, Kunkush and his family were eventually reunited.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.3
Did you know that New Year celebrations can be traced back more than 4,000 years ago? Dynamic photographs and well-crafted text introduce readers to New Year celebrations including Songkran, Chinese New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and Diwali.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.4
With our 24/7 news cycle and constant access to the latest headlines, the world can be a scary place. Now imagine you're a child trying to make sense of it all! What does this news mean? How does it affect me? Refugees and Migrants discusses the questions "What does it mean to be a refugee--or a migrant? Why would people leave their homes?" It answers kids' questions, offers reassurance, and empowers them with ways they can help those affected. Where issues are not appropriate to describe in words, award-winning illustrator Hanane Kai uses a deft hand to create powerful illustrations that help children visualize the people impacted by poverty, hunger, war, racism, and more. All of the images are sensitively rendered and perfectly suited for younger children. These books are an excellent cross-curricular resource--use them to explore these important issues and tie them into discussions about food, wealth, compassion, empathy, and current affairs.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 5.4
As a child, Miss Lou loved words--particularly the Jamaican English, or patois, that she heard all around her. As a young writer, Miss Lou felt caught between writing "lines of words like tight cornrows," as her teachers instructed, and words that beat more naturally "in time with her heart."
The uplifting and inspiring story of a girl finding her own voice, this is also a vibrant, colorful, and immersive look at an important figure in our cultural history. With rich and warm illustrations bringing the story to life, A Likkle Miss Louis a modern ode to language, girl power, diversity, and the arts.
End matter includes a glossary of Jamaican patois terms, a note about the author's "own voice" perspective as a Jamaican-Canadian writer, and a brief biography of Miss Lou and her connection to Canada, where she lived for 20 years.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 5.4
Twelve-year-old Aru knew she shouldn't light the Lamp of Bharata just to show off to her schoolmates, but she never expected to rouse a demon bent on awakening the God of Destruction. Now she must save her museum-curator mother and, well, everyone else. Witty humor and quick pacing carry readers through the Kingdom of Death in this series-starting fantasy rooted in Hindu mythology.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.7
In this companion to Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat, Pacy Lin travels to Taiwan with her family to visit relatives, where she unearths further layers to her identity as a Taiwanese American. Basing her story on her own childhood once again, Lin tells a tale that will have broad appeal, though her protagonist is wonderfully specific.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.4
Mythology, science, and interdimensional travel merge in this imaginative story about one girl's search for self and the discovery of pride in one's culture. Kiran has grown up being told that she is an Indian princess and has been raised on stories about creatures of Indian legend and lore-all of which she thinks is her eccentric parents' way of instilling their culture in her. In reality, they are trying to prepare her: on Kiran's 12th birthday, a spell protecting her expires, her parents disappear, and Kiran is attacked by a demonic rakkhosh. After meeting a pair of prince brothers, Kiran travels to the realm of her birth, the Kingdom Beyond Seven Oceans and Thirteen Rivers, in an effort to rescue her parents. Her journey takes her through a shifting mythological landscape that she confronts with daring, humor, and a no-nonsense attitude while learning more about her true history. The over-the-top action and ample banter will leave readers looking forward to more of Kiran's adventures.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.2
Jude never thought she'd be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives. At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven't quite prepared her for starting school in the US --and her new label of 'Middle Eastern,' an identity she's never known before. But this life also brings unexpected surprises--there are new friends, a whole new family, and a school musical that Jude just might try out for. Maybe America, too, is a place where Jude can be seen as she really is.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 6.3
Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself?
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.2
Books for African American and/or Black Diversity
Alan looks forward to the annual family reunion at the farm where Daddy grew up, but everyone is supposed to share something special and Alan worries about arriving with empty hands.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.3
A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.1
After school orchestra practice, young Nic carries his double bass through rough neighborhoods to his grandfather's home, where he and Grandaddy Nic play jazz music with friends, delighting the neighbors.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.3
Lola meets new friends and tries many new things on her fun but exhausting first day of school.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.7
More than anything Lola would like a cat, but first she must learn how to care for it.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.1
When Dad takes Leo to visit the doctor, Leo learns to wait his turn, sit quietly while his eyes and ears are checked, and be brave during a shot. And, of course, Leo gets a book before he leaves!
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 0.9
Baby Leo loves the water, so his father takes him to swim class with the other toddlers.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.4
Leo loves to go to baby time where he sings, plays, and makes new friends
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.3
When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.2
A rope passed down through the generations frames an African American family's story as they journey north during the time of the Great Migration.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.6
When her little sister, Akeer, becomes sick when they are returning home from the water hole, Nya must carry her and the water back to their village, one step at a time.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.6
A collection of ten short stories that all take place in the same day about kids walking home from school.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 4.8
Amid the scholars, poets, authors, and artists of the Harlem Renaissance stood an Afro-Puerto Rican named Arturo Schomburg. This law clerk's life's passion was to collect books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora and bring to light the achievements of people of African descent through the ages. When Schomburg's collection became so big it began to overflow his house (and his wife threatened to mutiny), he turned to the New York Public Library, where he created and curated a collection that was the cornerstone of a new Negro Division. A century later, his groundbreaking collection, known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, has become a beacon to scholars all over the world.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 6.9
Tells the story of lawyer, politician, and civil rights leader Barbara Jordan.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.6
Relates the true story of how environmentalist Farmer Tantoh is transforming the landscape in his home country of Cameroon. When Tantoh Nforba was a child, his fellow students mocked him for his interest in gardening. Today he's an environmental hero, bringing clean water and bountiful gardens to the central African nation of Cameroon.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.0
Ernie Barnes was one of the most important artists of his time known for his style of elongation and movement. His work has influenced a generation of painters and illustrators and can be found in museums and collections, such as the African American Museum in Philadelphia and the California African American Museum.
Between the Lines is a story of inspiration, spirit, and of an American original who pursued his dream. This enchanting picture book includes pieces of artwork created by this little known artist who captured the truth and beauty of the world he saw around him.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.7
Through the eyes of one little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in the South. Since then, the observance of June 19 as African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. This stunning picture book includes notes from the author and illustrator, a timeline of important dates, and a glossary of relevant terms.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.5
Most of the time sports are seen as the height of competition, but often they also bring people together in times of cultural, social, and political upheaval. This biography of Jackie Robinson explores the way the iconic and groundbreaking baseball player brought Americans together in a time of social unrest. Includes ties to 21st Century themes, as well as infographics, timelines, glossary, and index.
Int. Level: 3 -6 Rd. Level: 6.2
Most of the time sports are seen as the height of competition, but often they also bring people together in times of cultural, social, and political upheaval. This biography of Jesse Owens explores the way the Olympic track athlete served to bring Americans (and citizens around the world) together against a common enemy. Includes ties to 21st century themes, as well as infographics, timelines, glossary, and index.
Int. Level: 3 -6 Rd. Level: 6.1
A picture-book biography of celebrated poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1950. And in 1958, she was named the poet laureate of Illinois.
Gwendolyn Brooks is known for her poems about real life. She wrote about love, loneliness, family, and poverty; showing readers how just about anything could become a beautiful poem. Exquisite follows Gwendolyn from early girlhood into her adult life, showcasing her desire to write poetry from a very young age. This picture-book biography explores the intersections of race, gender, and the ubiquitous poverty of the Great Depression; all with a lyrical touch worthy of the subject. Brooks will inspire young readers to create poetry from their own lives.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: Not listed
Clive (Kool Herc) Campbell, the "father" of hip hop, moved from Jamaica to the Bronx with a passion for music and a dream of DJing. Hill's "hippity hop[py]" text eventually settles on an appropriate cadence. Taylor's double-page illustrations capture Herc's skilled hands at the turntables and the vitality of a burgeoning art form. A welcome addition to an underrepresented subject.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.6
Winner of the Coretta Scott King illustrator award, I, Too, Am America blends the poetic wisdom of Langston Hughes with visionary illustrations from Bryan Collier in this inspirational picture book that carries the promise of equality.
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Langston Hughes was a courageous voice of his time, and his authentic call for equality still rings true today. Beautiful paintings from Barack Obama illustrator Bryan Collier accompany and reinvent the celebrated lines of the poem "I, Too," creating a breathtaking reminder to all Americans that we are united despite our differences.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.4
As a closing essay explains, little is known about the man known as Dave the potter. Two things are certain, though: he was a slave in South Carolina, and he was a potter of uncommon skill. As Hill writes, “Dave was one of only two potters at the time who could successfully make pots that were larger than twenty gallons.” He also inscribed strange, sophisticated poetry into the clay: “I wonder where / is all my relation / friendship to all— / and, every nation.” The verses Hill uses to introduce us to Dave are sometimes just as evocative: “On wet days, / heavy with rainwater, / it is cool and squishy, / mud pie heaven.” The book’s quiet dignity comes from its refusal to scrutinize life as a slave; instead, it is nearly a procedural, following Dave’s mixing, kneading, spinning, shaping, and glazing. Collier’s gorgeous watercolor-and-collage illustrations recall the work of E. B. Lewis—earth-toned, infused with pride, and always catching his subjects in the most telling of poses. A beautiful introduction to a great lost artist.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 5.6
A young African American girl longs to be a ballerina, but in the segregated 1950s, she doubts her dream is possible. Seeing ballerina Janet Collins--the first African American to perform at New York's Metropolitan Opera--gives the girl hope for her own future as a dancer. Soft mixed-media paintings, capturing the girl's joy, optimism, and dedication, accompany the spare, lyrical text.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 6.0
Nikki Grimes' lyrical text and Bryan Collier's distinctive collages tell the inspirational story of Barack Obama. Raised in Jakarta and Hawaii, Obama has become a force for social change. Like JFK and Martin Luther King, Obama is a link in the long chain of people who have fought so that the United States fulfils the promises upon which it was founded. Just as the baton has been passed to Obama from previous leaders, Obama is already a role model for the young people who will one day assume the mantle of leadership.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.8
Underground, Stephen Bishop (born around 1821) was an intrepid explorer and leader, world renowned for his knowledge of Mammoth Cave, the largest cave system on earth. He discovered new species of fish and crawdads in the underground caves and became the first cartographer of the region. However, his skin was black, which made his aboveground identity in 1840s Kentucky that of a slave known simply as “Guide.” In a first-person fictionalized narrative, Bishop himself guides us through his remarkable life story. Bishop’s tone vacillates between pride in his accomplishments and growing legacy and a stonier tone regarding his life as a slave (“But being known is not the same as being free”). Speaking directly to readers, Bishop tells of how he has become literate by showing the “fine folks” he leads through the caves how to write their names on the walls and ceilings with candle smoke (“And in return they teach me, sometimes, without knowing what’s been taught”). Collier’s deft watercolor and collage illustrations pay special attention to perspective and lighting, the dark browns and burnt oranges of the cave contrasting with the bright greens and blues of aboveground. Collier also takes great care to place Bishop in the forefront of the cave scenes, whether it’s a full portrait of his face or his intent gaze as he observes the tourists writing. This is a fitting tribute to a historical figure who led so many yet had to remain behind. - Eboni Njoku
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.2
First published in 2014 as Who is Muhammad Ali?";Includes bibliographical references (pages 104-105); Who is Muhammad Ali? -- Life in Louisville -- Olympic champ -- King of the world! -- Cassius becomes Muhammad -- Taking a stand -- Two huge fights -- Thrilla in Manila -- After boxing." Presents the life of the legendary boxer who began his career as Cassius Clay, discussing his prowess in the ring, his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War, and his life after boxing
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.8
A moving story of the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the people of New Orleans, as seen through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy
Louis Daniel hates it when Mama treats him like a baby. But when Hurricane Katrina blows through the Gulf Coast, Louis feels like a little kid again. With no time to gather their belongings--except Louis's beloved horn--Daddy leads the family and into an unfamiliar, watery world of floating debris, lurking critters, and desperate neighbors. Taking shelter in the already-crowded Superdome, Louis and his parents wait...and wait. Conditions continue to worsen and when Daddy fails to return from a scouting mission within the Dome, Louis knows he's no longer a baby. It's up to him to find his father--with the help of his prized cornet.
Myron Uhlberg highlights resilience and hope throughout this sensitively portrayed fictional story based on the real events of Hurricane Katrina. Colin Bootman's illustrations enhance the warmth and strength of the young narrator's family as they work through such a great tragedy.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.4
George loved words. But George was enslaved.
Forced to work long hours, George was unable to attend school or learn how to read. But he was determined--he listened to the white children's lessons and learned the alphabet. Then he taught himself to read. Soon, he began composing poetry in his head and reciting it as he sold fruits and vegetables on a nearby college campus. News of the slave poet traveled quickly among the students, and before long, George had customers for his poems. But George was still enslaved. Would he ever be free?
In this powerful biography of George Moses Horton, the first southern African-American man to be published, Don Tate tells an inspiring and moving story of talent and determination.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.5
This stunning picture book offers a riveting account of African-American explorer Matthew Henson's 1909 journey to the North Pole with Admiral Peary.
Matthew Henson was born just after the Civil War, a time when slavery had been abolished, but few opportunities were available for black people. As a child, Henson exhibited a yearning for adventure, embarking at age thirteen on a five-year voyage sailing the seven seas. Henson's greatest adventure began when Robert Peary invited him to join an expedition to the North Pole. After many storms, injuries, and unimaginable cold, on April 1, Peary, Henson, and four Inuit men began the final 133-mile push to the Pole.
Award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson pays tribute to a great but under-recognized figure from America's past in this remarkable story. Illustrator Stephen Alcorn's large-format, stylized ink-and-watercolor illustrations capture all the action. Excerpts from Henson's expedition diaries, a timeline, and an epilogue place the story in its historical context.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.9
This inspiring story of little-known civil rights champion Oscar Chapman reminds readers that one person can truly make a difference.
On Easter Sunday 1939, Marian Anderson performed at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial for a crowd of over 75,000 people. The person largely responsible for putting her there was a white man, Oscar Chapman. When Chapman learned that Marian Anderson was not allowed to sing at Constitution Hall because of the color of her skin, Chapman helped produce a landmark concert that―for at least one evening―bridged the color divide to bring a city and much of the nation together.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.1
As slaves relentlessly toiled in an unjust system in 19th century Louisiana, they all counted down the days until Sunday, when at least for half a day they were briefly able to congregate in Congo Square in New Orleans. Here they were free to set up an open market, sing, dance, and play music. They were free to forget their cares, their struggles, and their oppression. This story chronicles slaves' duties each day, from chopping logs on Mondays to baking bread on Wednesdays to plucking hens on Saturday, and builds to the freedom of Sundays and the special experience of an afternoon spent in Congo Square. This book will have a forward from Freddi Williams Evans (freddievans.com), a historian and Congo Square expert, as well as a glossary of terms with pronunciations and definitions.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.7
Isabella is a gifted 11-year-old pianist. She is also caught between two parents who have divorced. Every week now sees what Isabella calls the “Great Exchange,” a ritual when she is handed off at the mall from one parent to another. Living in two places with different rules, each parent with a new partner, is a psychological juggling act. Isabella is also becoming ever more aware of her identity as a biracial child, with a black dad and white mother. The one constant in Isabella’s life is school. There, she has friends both black and white as well as an English teacher who works to provide culturally inclusive lessons for his class. As Isabella goes back and forth between parents, the issue of race becomes more and more prevalent in family discussions. And after a noose is found hanging in the school locker of one of Isabella’s best friends, a black girl, the story opens the door to more serious racist encounters. What begins as the story of a lively young piano player caught between two new families inexorably becomes a piercing interrogation of everyday racism that culminates in a terrifying, all-too-believable confrontation between Isabella and a cop. Isabella’s genuine 11-year-old voice captures events rarely seen in middle-grade fiction but too often seen by actual middle graders. A book that offers readers a stark look at the apartheid-like reality that exists for black people in America.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.0
In 1940s Chicago, recent Southern transplant Langston discovers Langston Hughes's poetry at the public library. Reading poetry helps the boy keep his late mother's memory alive, find solace from grief, and make a friend. Written in short chapters, this crisply paced book is full of historical details of the Great Migration and African American literary culture, and should resonate with any child who's experienced grief or loneliness.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 3.2
Plenty of local texture adds to the veracity of this story about the Boone Family, who wait out Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, are rescued, and begin re-building their lives in New Jersey. The narrative focuses on thirteen-year-old Reesie Boone, who dreams of fashion school, through the turmoil. Patrick's novel is a true-to-life portrait of one family's post-disaster recovery.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 4.6
The wife-and-husband team celebrates tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, focusing on their formative childhoods and the way their preparation and talent fundamentally changed the game. As Cline-Ransome's chronological account progresses, the sisters are positioned farther apart, eventually on opposite sides of the net, in Ransome's illustrations. A final spread, showing them holding hands after Serena bested Venus in the 2002 French Open, communicates the sisters' ultimate devotion to each other.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.7
In 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, thousands of African American children volunteered to march for their civil rights after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak. They protested the laws that kept black people separate from white people. Facing fear, hate, and danger, these children used their voices to change the world. Frank Morrison's emotive oil-on-canvas paintings bring this historical event to life, while Monica Clark-Robinson's moving and poetic words document this remarkable time.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.8
Midnight Teacher is an inspiring testament to an amazing instructor and pioneer in education. Lilly Ann Granderson's steadfast courage in the face of adversity provides an inspiring model for all who attempt to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.3
Past and present are quilted together in this innovative overview of black Americans’ triumphs and challenges in the United States. Alexander’s poetry possesses a straightforward, sophisticated, steady rhythm that, paired with Nelson’s detail-oriented oil paintings, carries readers through generations chronicling “the unforgettable,” “the undeniable,” “the unflappable,” and “the righteous marching ones,” alongside “the unspeakable” events that shape the history of black Americans. The illustrator layers images of black creators, martyrs, athletes, and neighbors onto blank white pages, patterns pages with the bodies of slaves stolen and traded, and extends a memorial to victims of police brutality like Sandra Bland and Michael Brown past the very edges of a double-page spread. Each movement of Alexander’s poem is a tribute to the ingenuity and resilience of black people in the U.S., with textual references to the writings of Gwendolyn Brooks, Martin Luther King Jr., Langston Hughes, and Malcolm X dotting stanzas in explicit recognition and grateful admiration. The book ends with a glossary of the figures acknowledged in the book and an afterword by the author that imprints the refrain “Black. Lives. Matter” into the collective soul of readers, encouraging them, like the cranes present throughout the book, to “keep rising.” An incredible connector text for young readers eager to graduate to weighty conversations about our yesterday, our now, and our & tomorrow.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.5
A look at the lives of tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, from their childhoods to their championships.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.0
Here's a gripping portrait of a smart, remarkable woman. Growing up in Alabama, Coretta Scott King graduated valedictorian from her high school before becoming one of the first African American students at Antioch College in Ohio. It was there that she became politically active, joining the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). After her marriage to Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta took part in the Civil Rights Movement. Following her husband's assassination in 1968, she assumed leadership of the movement. Later in life she was an advocate for the Women's Rights Movement, LGBT rights, and she worked to end apartheid in South Africa.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.3
Spend the day with a grandma and granddaughter in this charming picture book about the magic found in their favorite accessory, a perfect gift this Mother's Day!
When Grandma Mimi comes to visit, she always brings warm hugs, sweet treats...and her purse. You never know what she'll have in there--fancy jewelry, tokens from around the world, or something special just for her granddaughter. It might look like a normal bag from the outside, but Mimi and her granddaughter know that it's pure magic!
In this adorable, energetic ode to visits from grandma, beloved picture book creator Vanessa Brantley Newton shows how an ordinary day can become extraordinary.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.8
G-baby and her younger sister, Peaches, are still getting used to their "blended-up" family. They live with Mama and Frank out in the suburbs, and they haven't seen their real daddy much since he married Millicent. G-baby misses her best friend back in Atlanta, and is crushed that her glamorous new stepsister, Tangie, wants nothing to do with her.
G-baby is so preoccupied with earning Tangie's approval that she isn't there for her own little sister when she needs her most. Peaches gets sick-really sick. Suddenly, Mama and Daddy are arguing like they did before the divorce, and even the doctors at the hospital don't know how to help Peaches get better.
It's up to G-baby to put things right. She knows Peaches can be strong again if she can only see that their family's love for her really is like sky.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.6
In January 1963, Sharon Robinson turns thirteen the night before George Wallace declares on national television "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" in his inauguration speech as governor of Alabama. It is the beginning of a year that will change the course of American history.
As the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, Sharon has opportunities that most people would never dream of experiencing. Her family hosts multiple fund-raisers at their home in Connecticut for the work that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is doing. Sharon sees her first concert after going backstage at the Apollo Theater. And her whole family attends the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
But things don't always feel easy for Sharon. She is one of the only Black children in her wealthy Connecticut neighborhood. Her older brother, Jackie Robinson Jr., is having a hard time trying to live up to his father's famous name, causing some rifts in the family. And Sharon feels isolated-struggling to find her role in the civil rights movement that is taking place across the country.
This is the story of how one girl finds her voice in the fight for justice and equality.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 3.7
A big-hearted, wide-ranging compilation intended to bring Black History Month alive, this volume highlights twenty-eight notable people or events (one for each day of February), starting with Attucks and ending with Obama, then a look to the future. Poems and brief informational paragraphs (in small italicized type) are complemented by bold mixed-media illustrations in a busy design. A good starting place for children.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 6.3
Books for Asian Diversity
Months after Kiranmala's adventure in the Kingdom Beyond, a vision of the Demon Queen starts showing up in her bedroom, trying to tell Kiran something, but getting cut off before she can finish; then she starts seeing an advertisement for an archery contest on her family's interdimensional television and Kiran realizes that she must return to her place of birth--where society is falling apart, a reality show is taking over, her friends are in danger, and she, once again, becomes the warrior princess she was meant to be.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.8
A young girl finds a way to give the gift of a traditional Japanese garden back to her beloved grandfather and accept a difficult change.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.8
In Dakota Territory in the 1880s, half-Chinese Hanna and her white father face racism and resistance to change as they try to make a home for themselves. Includes author's note.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 5.4
Pricilla 'Cilla' Lee-Jenkins has already written a 'Bestseller' and a 'Classic'--now it's time for her to write an Epic Story. Epics are all about brave heroes overcoming Struggles to save the world, and this year, Cilla is facing her toughest struggles yet: Cilla is in fifth grade and, unlike her classmates, not at all ready to start middle school. Her beloved grandfather YeYe has had a stroke and forgotten his English, and it's up to Cilla to help him find his words again. With humor, heart, and her mighty pen Cilla Lee-Jenkins will use her powers to vanquish every foe (the mean girls in her class), help every citizen (especially YeYe), and save the world.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.9
Her parents moved her from Austria to Tokyo, Japan before she started school. They were all rendered stateless when Nazi Germany and Austria stripped Jews of their citizenship. She graduated high school fluent in Japanese plus four other languages and went to college in America at age fifteen. Cut off from her parents by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and America's entry into World War II, she went years not knowing if they were alive. She returned to post-war Japan as an interpreter, found her parents, and wrote the fateful words that make her a storied feminist hero in that nation even today.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.0
The author recounts special moments with her grandmother while growing up in Iran.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.5
Weaving his tale around a Gond fable about water, artist Subash Vyam muses on the history of our relationship to water. A migrant to the city, he recalls growing up in a village where water was always scarce and human ingenuity was welcomed. In contrast to the village, the needs of the city are monstrous and there is a great danger that we will run this resource completely dry. In the end, there is only one way forward: all communities need to make a pact with Nature in order to survive--or in our mindless push to harness her powers, we might lose our own place in this universe.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 5.5
A picture biography of Chinese scientist Pu Zhelong told through the memories of a farm boy who, inspired by Pu Zhelong, became a scientist himself.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.8
Provides an introduction to the Japanese artist who is known for her use of dots.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.4
With the help of her memories of the time she spent in Japan with her ojiichan, which is a professional violinist, a young girl named Hana practices and practices playing her violin for her school talent show.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.6
Aneel and his grandfather, Dada-ji, tell stories, use their imaginations, and make delicious roti, a traditional Indian flatbread.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.3
Text mainly in English with some Japanese characters. Wabi Sabi, a cat living in the city of Kyoto, learns about the Japanese concept of beauty through simplicity as she asks various animals she meets about the meaning of her name.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.8
Crocodile informs Monkey that he plans to eat his heart. Quick-thinking Monkey replies, "What a pity. I left it up in the tree!" Despite his size, Crocodile is no match for ingenious Monkey. McDermott uses paint and paper collage, shredding the edges of the brown paper to create a furry look for Monkey. An opening note explains more about the story and the art.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.2
In this Indian tale, a princess learns a terrible secret about the man she loves, yet she marries him anyway. Her devotion and persistence pay off when she is granted a wish, which she uses wisely. Includes special educational sections: Words to know, What do you think?, and About India.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.3
Malala Yousafzai was a girl who loved to learn but was told that girls would no longer be allowed to go to school. She wrote a blog that called attention to what was happening in her beautiful corner of Pakistan and realized that words can bring about change. She has continued to speak out for the right of all children to have an education. In 2014 she won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.0
The goal of My First Book of Chinese Words is to familiarize children with the basic sounds and written characters of Chinese, to introduce core concepts of Chinese culture and to illustrate the ways in which Chinese sounds differ from English ones. Teachers and parents will welcome the cultural notes at the back of the book and appreciate how the book is organized using a familiar ABC structure. Each word is presented in Chinese characters (both Simplified and Traditional) as well as Romanized Pinyin for easy pronunciation.
We bought other titles in this series: Japanese, Hindi, and Korean.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.9
At Grandfather Gandhi's service village, each day is filled, from sunrise to sunset, with work that is done for the good of all. The villagers vow to live simply and non-violently. Arun Gandhi tries very hard to follow these vows, but he struggles with one of the most important rules: not to waste.
How can throwing away a worn-down pencil hurt anyone? How can wastefulness lead to violence? With the help of his grandfather, Arun learns how every wasteful act, no matter how small, affects others. And in time he comes to understand the truth of his grandfather's words: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.8
In Dhaka, Bangladesh, as two girls work hard all day to help support their family by chipping bricks into small pieces, older sister Yasmin seeks a way to attend school and learn to read so that she can have a better life one day. Includes author's note about conditions in Bangladesh, child labor, and how to help.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.4
When Ji-su's mother is chosen by the emperor to be a seamstress in his court, Ji-su vows to learn to sew the beautiful Korean bojagi, or wrapping cloths, just as well so that she will also be summoned to the palace and be reunited with her mother.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.0
A family celebrates the Chinese Moon Festival by sharing mooncakes, tea, and stories as they sit together, looking at the moon. Mama and Baba tell their daughter tales about the moon's inhabitants: a woman who gains eternal life, a lazy woodcutter, and Jade Rabbit. Warm, glowing watercolors match the story's contemplative and contented mood. An author's note provides background on the harvest holiday.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.4
It is monsoon season in India. Outside, dark clouds roll in and the rain starts to fall. As animals scatter to find cover, a young boy and his dadaji (grandfather) head out into the rainy weather.
The two sail paper boats. They watch the peacocks dance in the rain, just as the colorful birds did when Dadaji was a boy. They pick mangoes and Dadaji lifts up his grandson so he can swing on the roots of the banyan tree, just as Dadaji did when he was young. Finally, when the two return home, hot tea and a loving family are waiting.
Author Kashmira Sheth's affectionate, sensitive story provides a look into Indian life and the shared moments and memories that bind generations together. Illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi's colorful and fanciful watercolor illustrations recreate the lush Indian landscape during monsoon season, and capture the bond of love that unites a grandfather and his grandson.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.4
Experience the magic of a traditional Indian wedding!
Sona's big sister is getting married and she's been given an important job to do. She has to steal the groom's shoes. She's never attended a wedding before, so she's unfamiliar with this Indian tradition--as well as many of the other magical experiences that will occur before and during the special event. But with the assistance of her annoying cousin Vishal, Sona finds a way to steal the shoes and get a very special reward.
With gently amusing text and gorgeous, vibrant watercolors, author Kashmira Sheth and illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi present a heartwarming story with inspiring themes of family bonding and the importance of ritual and tradition.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.2
Under the shadow of the white-capped mountains of Japan, a kind and gentle monk takes in a white cat with unusual markings and names him Tama, Lucky Cat.
Tama watches as his new master teaches Buddha's ways to poor farmers, caring for their welfare while ignoring his own empty stomach. Tama truly earns his nickname--"Lucky Cat,' when during a powerful thunderstorm, he sees a towering warlord on a white horse. The cat beckons the warrior forward just as a large branch crashes to the ground and lands right where the warlord had previously stood. In gratitude to Tama, the warlord lavishes gifts on the monk's poor temple.
In a marriage of graceful text based on one of the legends of Maneki Neko--"beckoning cat," in early Edo-period Japan--and breathtaking watercolor illustrations, debut author Wendy Henrichs and award-winning illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi offer a beautiful story of friendship, generosity, and kindness.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.4
Priyanka Das has so many unanswered questions: Why did her mother abandon her home in India years ago? What was it like there? And most importantly, who is her father, and why did her mom leave him behind? But Pri's mom avoids these questions--the topic of India is permanently closed. For Pri, her mother's homeland can only exist in her imagination. That is, until she find a mysterious pashmina tucked away in a forgotten suitcase. When she wraps herself in it, she is transported to a place more vivid and colorful than any guidebook or Bollywood film. But is this the real India? And what is that shadow lurking in the background? To learn the truth Pri must travel farther than she's ever dared and find the family she never knew.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 2.9
Little Snow loves the new big, soft bed Mommy made him for the long, cold winter nights. But Mommy says this bed is for sleeping, not jumping! What happens when he can't resist jump, jump, jumping on his new fluffy, bouncy bed?
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.6
Mela sets out to explore the river outside her village but quickly ends up in trouble when her little boat is swept downstream and into the dense jungle. She encounters a crocodile, a leopard, and some monkeys, offering each a prize return for helping her find her way home but the animals snatch up their rewards without helping Mela back to her village. Just when she's about to give up, an elephant shows Mela that kindness is its own reward. This new fable is told with authentic Thai customs and includes an author's note with more Thai traditions and language.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.7
Diwali has arrived! Rangoli art decorates the floor and strings of flowers hang around the doors. Now it's time to ring the bells, light the lamps, and welcome the new year with family and friends. A sweet introduction to the Hindu festival of lights.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.7
Nine-year-old Yasmin is horrified when her friend Book Uncle, who runs a free lending library on a street corner in her neighborhood, is told he must shut it down. She enlists friends, teachers, and the media to fight the ban.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 3.8
In this exquisitely narrated novel set in Chennai, India, 11-year-old Viji and her sister, Rukku, run away from their abusive father after he breaks their mother's arm and hits Rukku. On the city streets, the sisters find shelter by a bridge, adopt a stray dog, and meet brothers Mathu and Arul, who quickly become a kind of family to them. Venkatraman (A Time to Dance) vividly sketches the group's precarious economic situation-the boys teach the sisters how to scale trash mountains for saleable metal and glass, a drunken waste man threatens them-and the care they take with one another as they face the rainy season and illness. Viji also attends to her sister, who discovers new independence on the streets, such as a gift for beadwork that makes them money.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 4.4
It's August 1941 when Sumiko Adachi starts at a new school in Phoenix, Arizona. In spite of her first-day jitters, she finds a friendly face in Emi Kuno. But everything changes after Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, and the United States enters World War II. Suddenly the girls are faced with anti-Japanese sentiment from classmates and neighbors. When an arbitrary dividing line is drawn through Phoenix, the girls find themselves on opposite sides. Can Sumiko and Emi maintain their friendship when one of them is forced into a confinement camp, and the other is allowed to remain free?It's the storytellers who preserve a nation's history. But what happens when some stories are silenced? The I Am America series features fictional stories based on important historical events from people whose voices have been underrepresented, lost, or forgotten over time.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.8
Before he became an artist named Tyrus Wong, he was a boy named Wong Geng Yeo. He traveled across a vast ocean from China to America with only a suitcase and a few papers. Not papers for drawing--which he loved to do--but immigration papers to start a new life. Once in America, Tyrus seized every opportunity to make art, eventually enrolling at an art institute in Los Angeles. Working as a janitor at night, his mop twirled like a paintbrush in his hands. Eventually, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime--and using sparse brushstrokes and soft watercolors, Tyrus created the iconic backgrounds of Bambi.
Julie Leung and Chris Sasaki perfectly capture the beautiful life and work of a painter who came to this country with dreams and talent--and who changed the world of animation forever.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.0
Four short stories set in a hutong, or residential alleyway, of Beijing, China. Yu Er, her grandfather, and their eccentric neighbors experience the magic of everyday life.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 2.4
Against the grim backdrop of the Japanese-American internment camps, white librarian Clara Breed’s compassion offered children a ray of hope and a comforting connection to the normal lives they sorely missed. The children’s librarian at a San Diego public library, Breed had a close bond with many of her young patrons. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, as these young Japanese-Americans were incarcerated with their families in harsh desert conditions, Breed corresponded with many of them, sending books and art supplies, and wrote articles and letters agitating for justice for the internees. Many pages include quotes from the children’s correspondence, now archived at the Japanese American National Museum, which testify to the power of literature to make life more bearable. The text softens the harsh realities of the times, focusing primarily on Breed as a benefactor. “The US government” is named as the enemy, with the pervasive racism and overt hostility of many ordinary Americans going unmentioned. Following the war, readers are told that some Japanese-Americans “feared that they would not be welcome in their old neighborhoods….But others…couldn’t wait to come home,” even though the fears of the former were often justified and they might well have preferred to return home too. The endpapers feature historical photographs, and the colored-pencil illustrations give a gentle, sepia-toned feel to the book. Extensive endnotes provide valuable context. A touching tribute to a woman who deserves recognition, but it’s one that should be complemented by other works.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.3
Books for Hispanic or Latinx Diversity
Text in English with some Spanish. Carlitos lives in a happy home with his mother, his abuela, and Coco the cat. Life in his hometown is cozy as can be, but the call of the capital city pulls Carlitos across the bay in search of his father
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.8
A boy helps his father keep their very old car running as they make a trip to Havana for his newborn cousin's zero-year birthday. Includes author's note about cars in Cuba.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.5
When the narrator, a boy, looks out his window, he sees almost fluorescent hues covering the hillside: brightly patterned curtains and laundry on the clotheslines, splashes of tropical foliage, wandering felines, and flocks of white birds. He also sees a community forged by tight proximity, ingenuity, and pride, even amid violence. People stroll and ride through the labyrinth of passageways; "Ola" floats through the air in dialogue balloons; and neighbors crowd into makeshift wading pools. Conversations crisscross the homes via string and tin can "telephones," and the chatter "turns into funk, turns into rhyme, turns into poetry.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: Not listed
As Senor Calavera prepares for Grandma Beetle's birthday he finds an alphabetical assortment of unusual presents, but with the help of Zelmiro the Ghost, he finds the best gift of all.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.3
Caua and Inae are a brother and sister who live in a small community along the Tapajos River in Brazil. Here, the homes are on stilts and everyone travels around by boat--even to school! When the rainy season comes, they must leave their village and relocate to higher ground for a while. But after moving this year, they realize they've left behind something important: their pet tortoise, Titi! Unlike turtles, tortoises can't swim, and they are really worried. So the pair sneaks back at night on a journey along the river to rescue him. Will they be able to save Titi?
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.8
Paloma Marquez is traveling to Mexico City, birthplace of her deceased father, for the very first time. She's hoping that spending time in Mexico will help her unlock memories of the too-brief time they spent together. While in Mexico, Paloma meets Lizzie and Gael, who present her with an irresistible challenge: The siblings want her to help them find a valuable ring that once belonged to beloved Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Finding the ring means a big reward -- and the thanks of all Mexico. What better way to honor her father than returning a priceless piece of jewelry that once belonged to his favorite artist!
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.7
Tells the story of Teresa Carreno, a child prodigy who played piano for Abraham Lincoln
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 5.0
Text mainly in English with some Spanish. Includes bibliographical references and index. Text and illustrations look at the life of Amalia Hernandez, the dancer and choreographer who founded the Mexican Folkloric Ballet, a dance organization that continues to perform today.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 7.0
Musician, botanist, baseball player, pilot―the Latinos featured in this collection come from many different countries and from many different backgrounds. Celebrate their accomplishments and their contributions to a collective history and a community that continues to evolve and thrive today!
Biographical poems include: Aida de Acosta, Arnold Rojas, Baruj Benacerraf, César Chávez, Fabiola Cabeza de Baca, Félix Varela, George Meléndez, José Martí, Juan de Miralles, Juana Briones, Julia de Burgos, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Paulina Pedroso, Pura Belpré, Roberto Clemente, Tito Puente, Ynes Mexia, Tomás Rivera
Int. Level: 3 -6 Rd. Level: 6.3
Although he was an American citizen, José de la Luz Sáenz (1888-1953) was beaten up and denied access to local Texan businesses because his parents were of Mexican origin. He determined to fight back: "Luz knew that knowledge was a weapon that helped you defend yourself against those who were mean to you and ignored your rights." First a teacher, he joined the army and shipped out to Europe to fight in WWI. Quick to learn French, he was promoted to intelligence work, but he was never given a higher rank or more pay. His friendships with other Mexican-American soldiers led him to help form the League of United Latin American Citizens, an organization that advocated for equal rights for Latinx Americans. Characteristic illustrations by Tonatiuh (Danza!) use carved-stone faces and formal, ceremonial postures to represent the characters in this picture book. An inspiring introduction to an underrepresented figure who pursued his lifelong vision for equality and justice.
Int. Level: 3 -6 Rd. Level: 5.3
The adventures with six-year-old twins Carlos and Carmen continue! Beginning and emergent readers will race through these easy readers that incorporate everyday Spanish words seamlessly. Teachers, parents, and librarians will welcome the Carlos and Carmen series because it meets a need for children's books that feature Latino characters living middle-class American lives.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.2
Colombian girl Juana loves many things (especially her dog, Lucas), but not English class--until her grandfather announces a trip to the U.S. The distinctive first-person narration includes interspersed Spanish words (identifiable in context); dynamic illustrations bring Juana's energy to life. This book fills a gap in American children's literature, but it will be beloved for its warm family relationships, read-aloud-able hijinks, and sunny protagonist.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.9
Gorgeously illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh, this lively biography follows Juan Garcia Esquivel from Mexico to New York City. Juan grew up to the sounds of mariachi bands; he loved music and became a musical explorer. Defying convention, he created music that made people laugh and planted images in their minds. His musical dreams brought him from Mexico to America and gained him worldwide renown. Juan's space-age lounge music--popular in the fifties and sixties--has found a new generation of listeners. This account honors Esquivel as one of the great composers of the 20th century.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.6
Alma Sofia Esperanza Josi Pura Candela feels self-conscious about her long name until her father tells her about the family members after whom she is named. The pictures--grayscale print-transfer illustrations with soft textures--steal the show in their depiction of the sweet closeness between Alma and her father as well as her connection to her ancestors.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.0
A year of discoveries culminates in a performance full of surprises, as two girls find their own way to belong.
Mexico may be her parents' home, but it's certainly not Margie's. She has finally convinced the other kids at school she is one-hundred percent American--just like them. But when her Mexican cousin Lupe visits, the image she's created for herself crumbles.
Things aren't easy for Lupe, either. Mexico hadn't felt like home since her father went North to find work. Lupe's hope of seeing him in the United States comforts her some, but learning a new language in a new school is tough. Lupe, as much as Margie, is in need of a friend.
Little by little, the girls' individual steps find the rhythm of one shared dance, and they learn what "home" really means.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 6.2
Have you ever imagined what you might be when you grow up? When he was very young, Juan Felipe Herrera picked chamomile flowers in windy fields and let tadpoles swim across his hands in a creek. He slept outside and learned to say goodbye to his amiguitos each time his family moved to a new town. He went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that, what could you do?
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.0
Celebrate the first Latina New York City librarian, born in 1899, who seeds the folktales of her native Puerto Rico in her new home. As a library assistant, Belpre makes puppets to enhance her storytelling performances, which introduce the elegant cockroach Martina, the dashing mouse Perez, and other beloved characters from Puerto Rican folklore, then goes on to publish the tales for wider distribution. Colombian illustrator Escobar represents the biography's central image of "planting" story seeds in detailed, retro-style spreads with flowers that float around Belpre as she weaves her tales.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.6
A biography of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latino and the third woman ever to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 3.5
When he was young, Cesar and his Mexican American family toiled in the fields as migrant farm workers. He knew all too well the hardships farm workers faced. His public-relations approach to unionism and aggressive but nonviolent tactics made the farm workers' struggle a moral cause with nationwide support. Along with Dolores Huerta, he co-founded the National Farmworkers Association. His dedication to his work earned him numerous friends and supporters, including Robert Kennedy and Jesse Jackson.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 6.1
When Carmela wakes up on her birthday, her wish has already come true--she's finally old enough to join her big brother as he does the family errands. Together, they travel through their neighborhood, past the crowded bus stop, the fenced-off repair shop, and the panaderia, until they arrive at the Laundromat, where Carmela finds a lone dandelion growing in the pavement. But before she can blow its white fluff away, her brother tells her she has to make a wish. If only she can think of just the right wish to make.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.0
The first time Abuela held Nina, her heart overflowed with tenderness. And as Nina grows up, she and Abuela have a lot of fun doing simple things. Abuela decides that she wants to buy Nina a special treat, so she saves a little bit of her money every week. But then something terrible happens, and Abuela's dream of a surprise for Nina seems impossible. Luckily, the time they spend together and the love they have for each other are the best gifts of all.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.2
Her last name may mean kings, but Ana Maria Reyes REALLY does not live in a castle. Rather, she's stuck in a tiny apartment with two parents (way too lovey--dovey), three sisters (way too dramatic), everyone's friends (way too often), and a piano (which she never gets to practice). And when her parents announce a new baby is coming, that means they'll have even less time for Ana Maria.
Then she hears about the Eleanor School, New York City's best private academy. If Ana Maria can win a scholarship, she'll be able to get out of her Washington Heights neighborhood school and achieve the education she's longed for. To stand out, she'll need to nail her piano piece at the upcoming city showcase, which means she has to practice through her sisters' hijinks, the neighbors' visits, a family trip to the Dominican Republic . . . right up until the baby's birth! But some new friends and honest conversations help her figure out what truly matters, and know that she can succeed no matter what. Ana Maria Reyes may not be royal, but she's certain to come out on top.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 4.6
Two "migrantes," a mother and her infant son, arrive on "the other side." Here they meet cultural challenges (customs, language) that are resolved at the San Francisco Public Library, with its "unimaginable" wealth of books that offer paths to literacy, community, even a career. Occasional Spanish words enrich the succinct, gently poetic text, illustrated with rich and vibrant pen-and-ink, acrylic, and collage art. Back matter sets the narrative in personal and historical context.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.9
Books for LGBT Diversity
Because Neither is unlike both the rabbits and birds of the Land of This and That, Neither sets out to find a new place where all kinds of creatures are welcome.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.6
Evelyn is both aghast and fascinated when a new boy comes to grade five and tells everyone his name is Queen. Queen wears shiny gym shorts and wants to organize a chess/environment club. His father plays weird loud music and has tattoos.
Evelyn is an only child with a strict routine and an even stricter mother. And yet in her quiet way she notices things. She takes particular notice of this boy named Queen. The way the bullies don’t seem to faze him. The way he seems to live by his own rules. When it turns out that they take the same route home from school, Evelyn and Queen become friends, almost against Evelyn’s better judgment. She even finds Queen irritating at times. Why doesn’t he just shut up and stop attracting so much attention to himself?
Yet he is the most interesting person she has ever met. So when she receives a last-minute invitation to his birthday party, she knows she must somehow persuade her mother to let her go, even if it means ignoring the No Gifts request and shopping for what her mother considers to be an appropriate gift, appropriately wrapped with “boy” wrapping paper.
Her visit to Queen’s house opens Evelyn’s eyes to a whole new world, including an unconventional goody bag (leftover potato latkes wrapped in waxed paper and a pair of barely used red sneakers). And when it comes time for her to take something to school for Hype and Share, Evelyn suddenly looks at her chosen offering — her mother’s antique cream jug — and sees new and marvelous possibilities.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.2
Stella brings her two fathers to school to celebrate Mother's Day.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.2
Heather's favorite number is two. She has two arms, two legs, two pets--and two mommies. When Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy, but Heather doesn't have a daddy. Then something interesting happens. When Heather and her classmates all draw pictures of their families, not one drawing is the same.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.4
Despite her parents' divorce, her father's coming out as gay, and his plans to marry his boyfriend, ten-year-old Bea is reassured by her parents' unconditional love, excited about getting a stepsister, and haunted by something she did last summer at her father's lake house.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: not listed; F&P: X
Donovan's two moms are getting married, and he can't wait for the celebration to begin. After all, as ring bearer, he has a very important job to do. Any boy or girl with same-sex parents--or who knows a same-sex couple--will appreciate this picture book about love, family, and marriage. The story captures the joy and excitement of a wedding day while the illustrations show the happy occasion from a child's point of view.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.2
In a wildly whimsical, validating, and exuberant reflection of the LGBT community, This Day In June welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united.
Also included is a Reading Guide chock-full of facts about LGBT history and culture, as well as a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.3
After Mama Lacy's death, Fella was forced to move in with her grandmother, Mrs. Madison. The move brought Fella all sorts of comforts she wasn't used to at home, but it also meant saying goodbye to her sister Zoey (a.k.a. Zany) and her other mother, Mama Shannon. Though Mama Shannon fought hard to keep Fella, it was no use. The marriage act is still a few years away and the courts thought Fella would be better off with a blood relation. Already heartbroken, Fella soon finds herself alone in Mrs. Madison's house, grieving both the death of her mother and the loss of her entire family.
Then one night, Zany shows up at Mrs. Madison's house determined to fulfill Mama Lacy's dying wish- to have her ashes spread over the lawn of the last place they were all happy as a family. Of course, this means stealing Mama Lacy's ashes and driving hundreds of miles in the middle of night to Asheville, North Carolina. Their adventure takes one disastrous turn after another, but their impulsive journey helps them rediscover the bonds that truly make them sisters.
Int. Level: 5-8 Rd. Level: 6.7
Growing up in the ocean, Kelp has always assumed that he was a narwhal like the rest of his family. Sure, he's always been a little bit different--his tusk isn't as long, he's not as good of a swimmer, and he really doesn't enjoy the cuisine. Then one night, an extra strong current sweeps Kelp to the surface, where he spots a mysterious creature that looks just like him! Kelp discovers that he and the creature are actually unicorns. The revelation leaves him torn: is he a land narwhal or a sea unicorn? But perhaps, if Kelp is clever, he may find a way to have the best of both worlds.
Told with heartwarming illustrations and spare, sweet text, Jessie Sima's debut picture book is about fitting in, standing out, and the all-encompassing love of family.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.0
Books for Native American Diversity
Shi-shi-etko gathers together many of the things of nature and places them into her bag of memories so that she will never forget her people and land as she prepares to go many miles away to the required residential school.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.9
A little girl sets out to help her grandfather discover the Cree language that was stolen from him when he was sent away to residential school as a boy.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.7
A Navajo family welcomes a new baby into the family with love and ceremony, eagerly waiting for that first special laugh. Includes brief description of birth customs in different cultures.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.9
Readers are introduced to the culinary dishes and traditions of various Native American peoples.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 5.9
Readers are given a brief history of Native American arts and crafts including totem poles, pottery, and baskets.
Int. Level: 3-6 Rd. Level: 6.8
An introduction to the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals. In the tradition of the Anishinaabe people of Canada, everyone belongs to an animal clan or totem. This totem animal symbolizes the skills that each member of the clan must learn to serve their tribe. In two-page spreads, Metis artist Daniel introduces children to 12 totem animals, such as a moose, a rabbit, a raven, and a crow. One page shows a child wearing a mask representing a totem animal, while on the opposing page, a brief first-person narration explains that totem's attributes. The playful acrylic-on-canvas illustrations have an earthy, textural feel where the surface shows through the paint. The text is child-friendly, imaginative, and short--really four lines of free verse rather than prose text. At the end of the book, Daniel has included a list of the animals and their meanings, which is helpful, as the meanings of the animals are not always obvious in each little poem. For example, the butterfly, which stands for vulnerability, is described thus: "Sometimes I feel like a butterfly, / delicate and free. / I spread my wings open / and flutter from flower to leaf." This book will fascinate children expanding their horizons and learning about other cultures (or, in the case of Anishinaabe kids, their own).
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 4.3
Includes bibliographical references (pages 89-90). Uses drama to tell seven different stories from Native American traditions including the Abenaki, Ojibway, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Snohomish, Tlingit, and Zuni.
Int. Level: 3 -6 Rd. Level: 5.7
No study of American history is complete without the fascinating histories of native peoples. This compelling series will interest readers in the lives, past and present, of Native American groups, such as the Apache, Cheyenne, and Hopi. While the history of each is thoroughly examined, modern-day cultural traditions are also presented. Art, housing, family structure, and clothing are just some of the important topics touched on to present a well-rounded and rich story for each Native American culture.
Int. Level: 3 -6 Rd. Level: 6.5
Includes bibliographical references (page 31) and index. "Native American celebrations are packed with symbolic gestures and intriguing details. A kind of party called a potlatch, staged by native peoples of the Pacific Northwest, was marked by guests receiving gifts, not giving them, and were sometimes put on to get back at an enemy. This book highlights several celebrations and ceremonies important to Native Americans across North America.
Int. Level: 3 -6 Rd. Level: 6.8
It's the day of the first salmon ceremony, and P'esk'a is excited to celebrate. His community, the Sts'ailes people, give thanks to the river and the salmon it brings by commemorating the first salmon of the season.
Framed as an exploration of what life was like one thousand years ago, P'esk'a and the First Salmon Ceremony describes the customs of the Sts'ailes people, an indigenous group who have lived on the Harrison River in British Columbia for the last 10,000 years. Includes an introductory letter from Chief William Charlie, an illustrated afterword and a glossary.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.4
This beautiful addition to the Big Words series will inspire future leaders to persevere in empathy and thoughtful problem-solving, reaching beyond themselves to help those around them. Moving prose by award-winning author Doreen Rappaport is interwoven with Wilma's own words in this expertly researched biography, illustrated with warmth and vivacity by Linda Kukuk.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.9
This authentic, loving celebration of gratitude & community -- written by a citizen of the Cherokee nation -- follows celebrations and experiences through the seasons of a year underscoring the traditions and ways of Cherokee life
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: not listed
Fry bread is food.It is warm and delicious, piled high on a plate. Fry bread is time.It brings families together for meals and new memories. Fry bread is nation.It might look or taste different, but it is still shared by many, from coast to coast and beyond. Fry bread is us.It is a celebration of old and new, traditional and modern, similarity and difference.Fry Bread is a story told in lively and powerful verse by Seminole Nation member Kevin Noble Maillard, with vibrant art from Pura Belpre Award winner Juana Martinez-Neal.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.6
Set in the Nicola Valley, British Columbia, in Canada's westernmost province, a First Nations family goes on an outing to forage for herbs and mushrooms. A grandmother passes down her knowledge of plant life and the natural world to her young grandchildren.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 2.5
"When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother's garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long, braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long time ago, where all of these things were taken away..."--Provided by publisher.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 3.6
Text in English and Plains Cree.;Translated from the English. "An evocative dual-language picture book, written in English and Plains Cree, intended to foster reconciliation among children and encourage them to show each other love and support"--Publisher.
Int. Level: K-3 Rd. Level: 1.1