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In our world today, we’re learning more and more to celebrate diversity.
And we are here for it. 🙌🏻🙌🏼🙌🏽🙌🏾🙌🏿
Children’s books about diversity provide a great opportunity to teach your child about the beauty of variety — as well as encouraging them to treasure the qualities that make them unique, so they can establish their own sense of identity in the world.
And when it comes to developing their social and emotional development, these are lessons that last a lifetime.
We’ve gathered the best enriching books on diversity and inclusion sure to offer your child a wide selection of illuminating lenses through which to see their world.
Ready to open their minds and unlock their empathy?
Read on!
In this article: 📝
- How do you explain diversity to a child?
- What is diversity in children’s books?
- What do you look for in a diverse book?
- How do I find a diverse children’s book?
How do you explain diversity to a child?
The best way to explain diversity to your child is to use their natural curiosity.
Providing them with stories about diverse characters created by diverse authors is a powerful way to do it.
And it’s not just how characters look either.
Children notice differences very early in their lives and they’re not afraid to ask questions.
Introducing them to lots of different people and experiences is a fun way of showing them diversity and fostering acceptance.
Providing them with engaging children’s books about diversity is a great idea, too.
Through the magic of storytelling, kids can start to see through the eyes of people who are different from themselves.
What is diversity in children’s books?
Diversity in books is all about representation — something we’re getting better at, but still woefully lacking in society.
And diversity comes in so many different forms — that’s the beauty of it.
Representation allows your child to see themselves (and others) as worthy of acceptance.
It also opens their eyes to other children’s experiences, fostering that deep empathy that leads to better relationships, leadership skills, and emotional intelligence.
Learning about diversity can also take the form of seeing how fictional characters navigate different scenarios like bullying, loss, and difficult emotions.
The more unique experiences your child sees, the more opportunities you have to engage in healthy discussions.
And that can only bode well for supporting their social and emotional well-being.
What do you look for in a diverse book?
Diversity knows no bounds.
Books embracing cultural differences, LGBTQ+ families, disability, and adoption are all powerful examples of representation.
Look out for books written by diverse authors and who feature characters from all walks of life.
You can start with a few of the books we’ve chosen below.
Just like the stories within them, the reading level varies but they all share vibrant illustrations that toddlers and young children will enjoy.
So, from bilingual heroes to breaking gender rules, here are our top picks to bring a world of difference to your storytime:
1. The Same But Different by Molly Potter, illustrated by Sarah Jennings
Diversity can be a tough concept for young kids to grasp, especially if they’ve never met anyone who looks, sounds, or acts different from them.
The Same But Different tackles this big subject in a bitesized way, getting them ready for their first day of school with an open mind.
And to help the message really sink in, it comes with extra notes and ideas for parents like you on how to best read through and talk about it with your kid.
Easily our top pick for the best first day of school book, with a lesson that’ll help your child grow and find friends wherever they are.
2. Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival
Norman has a new set of wings but what will everyone think?
Featuring vibrant illustrations, this first book in the Big Bright Feelings series is an uplifting take on embracing individuality.
Tom Percival’s sweet tale explores themes of self-acceptance and not conforming to the ‘norm’.
A powerful choice for helping little kids find the courage to honour themselves no matter what.
3. A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza
The heart-warming tale of a bird in search of a mama to love him.
Keiko Kasza’s cheerful story is a highly recommended choice for helping kids to understand adoption.
Especially if they feel in anyway different from their loving carers.
4. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
When it comes to children’s books about same-sex families, you can’t beat this one.
One of the first of its kind, Justin Richardson’s book tells the sweet story about two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo who raise a chick together.
And better yet, it’s true!
5. Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
A beautiful board book with pictures of babies being cared for in all different kinds of families, with rhyming text that children will love to hear at storytime.
One of the best (non-obvious) diversity books for curious toddlers.
6. I Am Enough by Grace Byers
An empowering and lyrical illustrated book for girls of all ages, shapes, sizes, and ethnicities.
Written by actress and activist Grace Byers, I Am Enough celebrates self-confidence while highlighting the importance of respect.
Buy for Keturah A. Bobo’s vibrant illustrations alone.
7. Love Makes A Family by Sophie Beer
This colorful board book shows families enjoying spending time together.
They all look a little different—older parents, same-sex parents, multicultural families—but they all have one thing in common: love.
8. Lovely by Jess Hong
A fun and quirky book featuring pictures with thought-provoking captions.
For example, a page of legs (yep, just legs) where someone with hairy legs wears stilettos (“Fancy”) and someone with a prosthetic leg is about to kick a soccer ball (“Sporty”).
The message?
We’re all different, but we’re all lovely.
9. Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match/Marisol McDonald No Combina by Monica Brown
This bilingual (English and Spanish) book tells the engaging story of Marisol, a Peruvian-Scottish-American girl who’s determined to go her own way in the world.
Monica Brown brings her own experiences of being mismatched to a visually splendid tale about the beauty of being biracial and the power of independent thinking.
10. Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
A little Muslim American girl has fun playing with her mama’s colorful headscarves, feeling the warmth of love with each one.
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrator Ebony Glenn provide an affirming picture book for Muslim and interfaith families.
And in the center of it all, the unbreakable bond between a mother and a daughter.
11. My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Cari Best
The uplifting story of Zulay, a young girl who isn’t going to let her blindness get in the way of her ambition to run a race on Field Day.
This inclusive tale offers inspiration and empowerment in abundance without shying away from the unique challenges faced by children with special needs.
A great pick for the whole family to read together.
12. Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
One for the unicorn fans!
The heartwarming tale of Kelp, who always thought he was a narwhal like everyone else in his family, but one day finds out that he’s really a unicorn.
Where does Kelp fit in now?
You and your child will love finding out.
13. Over the Hill and Far Away: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes edited by Elizabeth Hammill
Show your child all about cultural diversity with this beautifully illustrated collection of nursery rhymes from across the world.
Featuring 150 beloved rhymes from Chinese, African, and even Latino cultures, this beautiful collection also features a unique mix of illustrations from over 70 artists!
Imagine the questions your curious kid will have…
14. Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman
Ready to reframe the pink/blue binary?
Robb Pearlman’s colorful and empowering book tackles gender stereotypes, encouraging kids to do whatever they love to do.
Even if that means loving unicorns and racing cars.
15. Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas by Pamela Ehrenberg
If you’re looking for children’s books about different cultures coming together, try this one.
It’s the light-hearted story of a multicultural family celebrating Hanukkah while savoring delicious traditional Indian food.
16. Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
A blue crayon is given a red label by mistake, and we join him on his journey toward discovering that he is, really, blue!
A great story about being true to your inner self, which also speaks to the experience of being transgender.
17. We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Jane Kates
This is one of those children’s books about diversity and inclusion that’s become a classic.
Let the Sesame Street gang teach your little one about how we’re all the same on the inside—but different and special on the outside.
18. What Happened to You? by James Catchpole
A funny and thought-provoking story from the point of view of a young boy with a disability who just wants to play.
Based on James Catchpole’s own childhood experiences, this essential book teaches kids with special needs that they always have a choice to answer.
And teaches all children the value of empathy.
19. My Curly, Coily Crown by Darcel Craft
There aren’t many Disney princesses with curly, coily hair.
Sure, there are one or two, but balanced representation counts.
That’s why this uplifting, empowering book (written by Peanut Pro and self-love coach Darcel Being) is perfect for kids with curly hair — or with friends who have curly hair — so they can embrace who they are and appreciate their natural hair, in all it’s coily curliness.
And it gets even better — there’s a Spanish version, too!
(Want to hear more from Darcel? Join her Being Well Community Group on Peanut!)
How do I find a diverse children’s book?
Check out your local library, visit bookshops, or ask other mamas on Peanut for recommendations.
There’s so much out there.
Happy reading! 📚