A Diverse Children's Bookshelf: Picture Books With Non-White Protagonists
By The Mom Edit
By The Mom Edit
I grew up in a small, well-educated, mid-western town that was almost 100% white. I knew enough to know that racism was bad, but the racial biases of growing up in such a community were practically unavoidable (our high school team name, embarrassingly, is still the Marquette Redmen). There's been a ton of learning (un-learning?) I've had to do as an adult.
So when my boys were born, it was important to me that they learn about this big, beautiful world of ours in a way that better reflected reality. Specifically, the reality that white people are not the only people in it. We're not the best people, nor the most important and, quite frankly, we're not even the most.
And yet, when you peruse most bookstores, the shelves are full of books about white kids.
Thankfully, things are starting to change. It has been much easier for me to find books featuring children of other races for my sister's daughter (who just turned 5), then it was finding books for my my own kids (now 9 and 12).
Below is a list of books all featuring non-white main characters. My criteria in choosing these books is that they must also have a good story. My goal was to normalize: I want my children's bookshelf to be filled with amazing stories...that also have non-white protagonists.
Aaron Slater, Illustrator
Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
$18.99 $17.66Ahhh the latest from the makers of Iggy Peck!!
Hair Love
Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison
$17.99 $16.73This might be the cutest story I have EVER read.
Ada Twist, Scientist
Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
$19.99 $18.59One of our all-time family favorites. Perfect to prompt some science-minded discussions (and experiments).
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
Ibtihaj Muhammad and Hatem Aly
$17.99 $16.73This one helped me confront my own biases as well. (Maybe even more than the kids.)
Islandborn
Junot Díaz and Leo Espinosa
$17.99 $16.73In this book, a little girl is struggling to write about her own personal history. Not only is it a genuinely good story, but it sheds light (and opens some eyes) on why some had to flee countries for the US. But does so in a way that still celebrates those countries and cultures. I love this book.
I Am Enough
Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo
$18.99 $17.66This one is a JOY to read. My sister's daughter loves shouting the refrain, "I. AM. ENOUGH!!"
The Day You Begin
Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López
$18.99 $17.66Ooo...especially love this one for kids just starting school, or any kid moving to a new school. My kids still like to remark, "rice is the most-eaten food in the world!"
Dreamers
Yuyi Morales
$18.99 $17.66Another book that beautifully deals with immigration...AND the power of reading. The illustrations are gorgeous, the prose is gorgeous...this book is a gift.
Ish
Peter H. Reynolds
$15.00 $13.95I'm still reading (and quoting) this book to my perfectionist son...and he's NINE. It's beyond good. Such a classic.
Last Stop on Market Street
Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson
$18.99 $17.66"He wondered how his nana always found beautiful where he never even thought to look." Nuff said, I think. One of our favorites.
More More More, Said the Baby Board Book: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner
Vera B. Williams
$9.99 $9.29Ahhhh I LOVED reading this book to my guys when they were babies!! I credit this book with my boys learning baby sign language (we just made up our own signs...but 'more' was always the most helpful).
Mama, Do You Love Me? Board Book: (Children's Storytime Book, Arctic and Wild Animal Picture Book, Native American Books for Toddlers)
Barbara Joosse and Barbara Lavallee
$7.99 $7.43Another book that I STILL pull out and read whenever we've had one of those really tough days. It's a Mom reassuring her little one that no matter what, she will always love him (her)? The kid is basically drawn very gender neutral. And the kid comes up with the most delightfully horrible ways to act out...with the mom always replying something like, "I might be scared...but I will still love you." My boys just relax with relief when we read this book.
Mama Do You Love Me?
Lizzie McKnight and Candyce Marsh John
$12.99This one isn't coming out until July, but the front cover is so pretty, and it evokes the other Mama Do You Love Me so I have high hopes.
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World
Susan Hood, Shadra Strickland, et al.
$18.99 $17.66This book of poems is shockingly well done - my kids love it. It includes the story of Ruby Bridges, Mae Jemison, Malala, Nellie Bly and others (some of whom are white).
The Breadwinner: A Graphic Novel (Adapted)
Deborah Ellis
$14.99 $13.94One of my boys' favorite graphic novels of all time. After the arrest of her father, a girl disguises herself as a boy to move freely through the city to keep her family fed. She is also hunting for her father, and trying to raise enough money to get him released. It's...SO GOOD.
Malala's Magic Pencil
Malala Yousafzai and Kerascoët
$17.99 $16.73Malala's own words. Hard to beat.
Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan/Iqbal, a Brave Boy from Pakistan: Two Stories of Bravery
Jeanette Winter
$17.99 $16.73I like this book because it not only introduced Malala to my boys...but learning about Iqbal, a boy who died for his bravery, is something my boys talked about for a long time after. They were so shocked (accustomed to a happy ending) that it prompted many good conversations. (But is also presented as delicately as possible.) Highly recommend.
All Are Welcome
Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman
$17.99 $16.73This book *could* be cheesy, but instead, it's more celebratory. A fun one to read to littler kids.
A Year Full of Stories: 52 Classic Stories from All Around the World
Angela McAllister and Christopher Corr
$22.99 $21.38Oooo...we love this book. It's divided up by months, so the stories (retold from different cultures and religions) are pertinent - some stories are even associated with specific days. It's one we always have by the bed - it's fun to read the story associated with that day.
Angela's Airplane
Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko
$2.49Oooo...this girl is SO DARING. My kids love her. Other reviewers have complained that Angela doesn't learn a lesson at the end but that's part of the charm (at least for kids). This book would send my boys into FITS of DELIGHT. (The Munsch treasury that this story shows up in is also a family fav.)
