15 children's books that celebrate diversity and inclusion
Teaching children the importance of diversity and inclusion can seem like a challenging task if not given a starting point.
Luckily, many people have acknowledged this difficulty and have written plenty of material to help others understand the value of diversity and inclusion.
In this article, we recommend 15 children’s books that celebrate diversity and inclusion which you can read to your child at home.
But first, we must ask…
Why celebrate diversity and inclusion?
There are numerous reasons why encouraging diversity and inclusion can be incredibly beneficial to schools, workplaces, daycares, and many other organizations. Here are a few:
Promotes Understanding: Celebrating diversity and inclusion helps to promote greater understanding and empathy between people of different cultures, races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and other diverse identities. This can lead to increased social cohesion and reduce misunderstandings and stereotypes.
Fosters Innovation: Diversity and inclusion are also important for stimulating innovation and creativity. When people with different backgrounds and experiences come together, they bring different perspectives and ideas to the table, which can lead to new and innovative solutions to problems.
Enhances Learning: Celebrating diversity and inclusion enhances learning by exposing people to new ideas, cultures, and experiences. This can help people to broaden their horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Improves Workplace Culture: In the workplace, celebrating diversity and inclusion can lead to a more positive and inclusive culture, where all employees feel valued and supported. This can lead to greater job satisfaction, increased productivity, and reduced turnover.
Supports Social Justice: Finally, celebrating diversity and inclusion is an important part of supporting social justice and promoting equal rights and opportunities for all people, regardless of their background or identity. By celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion, we can help to create a more just and equitable society.
15 books for diversity and inclusion
"The Day You Begin" by Jacqueline Woodson: This story follows a young girl who feels like an outsider because of the way she looks and the language she speaks. As she meets other children who share similar feelings of being different, she learns to embrace and celebrate her unique qualities.
"All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold: This book celebrates diversity and inclusivity in a school setting, showing children of various backgrounds coming together and celebrating each other's differences.
"Let's Talk About Race" by Julius Lester: “Let’s Talk About Race” encourages children to have conversations about race, teaching them that differences should be celebrated and respected.
"The Skin You Live In" by Michael Tyler: This book celebrates diversity and teaches children to love and accept their own skin, while also celebrating the beauty of others' skin.
"I am Enough" by Grace Byers: This text promotes self-love and self-acceptance, encouraging children to embrace their unique qualities and celebrate their individuality.
"Lailah's Lunchbox" by Reem Faruqi: Here’s a story that follows a young Muslim girl who wants to fast for Ramadan, but struggles to explain her beliefs to her classmates. It promotes understanding and acceptance of different religions and cultures.
"Islandborn" by Junot Diaz: This is a story of a young girl who immigrated from an island and encourages children to embrace their heritage and cultural identity.
"Amazing Grace" by Mary Hoffman: This book promotes the message that anyone can be anything they want to be, regardless of their gender, race, or background.
"The Colors of Us" by Karen Katz: “The Colors of Us” celebrates diversity and encourages children to embrace the differences in skin color and heritage among people.
"Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña: This book tells the story of a young boy who takes a bus ride with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in his surroundings and in the people he meets.
"This Is How We Do It" by Matt Lamothe: Showcased are the lives of seven children from around the world, highlighting their different cultures and traditions.
"The Family Book" by Todd Parr: This book celebrates different types of families, including families with same-sex parents, adoptive families, and families of different races and cultures.
"We're Different, We're the Same" by Bobbi Kates: Here’s a book that teaches children that although people may look different on the outside, they are all the same on the inside.
"Sulwe" by Lupita Nyong'o: This book follows a young girl who learns to embrace her beauty and value, despite feeling self-conscious about her dark skin.
"Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters" by John Steptoe: This is the story of two sisters who both want to marry the king. It promotes the message that inner beauty is more important than outward appearance.
“We must not only learn to tolerate our differences. We must welcome them as the richness and diversity which can lead to true intelligence” - Albert Einstein
