Children’s Books about Culture, Differences, Standing Up for Others are topics we need to share with our children…yesterday! Talking with kids about cultural awareness and using their voice is tough. We want to talk in a way they understand or they don’t retain what they hear and remember some points down the road if it was too much, too little or even too informative. Perhaps we can leave the conversation starters to Authors, many of which are Teachers, Counselors and Speakers that know how to guide us in these conversations within stories and illustrations.
Books are the greatest tools we have as parents to teach subjects and topics with our children and these titles below, specifically, help us start the conversation about culture, differences and even when and how to use our voice to stand up for others.
I have reviewed many books and I have reached out to the Publishers and Authors I know to help me put such a list together. I didn’t want to wait until these books make it to me and communication can happen between myself and publishers so I started my list below with books you have already seen me discuss but now I bring them forward again.
I will update this list EVERY time I come across a title within this topic that I feel will help you start these important conversations. Make sure you follow my socials (buttons are in my header) and bookmark this page so you are updated when I suggest a new title. I will announce for you every time a new title is added.
I will work hard to find the books that you need to have the conversations of being a kind human to all! If you like this list, be sure to hit the Rating button at the end of this post! Some affiliate links may be within.
Now at over 20 titles….
Guion the Lion
Topic: Appreciating differences and embracing others’ ideas
Author: Rebecca Wilson Macsovits, Mom of a son with Down Syndrome
The Big Buna Bash
Topic: Inspire cultural pride in kids who might feel that they don’t fit in because of their differences.
Author: Sara C. Arnold, immigrated to Israel in 1981, and teaches English in Jerusalem.
PJ Library Books
Topic: Access to books about Jewish Culture/Holidays
Author: Various within the Jewish culture
Get Up, Stand Up
Topic: A message of empowerment and unity, also anti-bullying
Author: Cedella Marley, daughter of Bob Marley, Musician-more books like this at the link below!
We Are Power: How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World
Topic: For Teens. An inspiring call to action, a reminder that true power ultimately rests in our hands.
Author: Todd Hasak-Lowy, a professor of creative writing and literature at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
The Backpack
Topic: Treating others how we wish to be treated. It’s what’s on the inside, not judging the outside
Author: Lindsay C Barry, a Momtrepreneur
We’re Different, We’re the Same
Topic: It’s a classic, but a favorite! help teach toddlers and the adults in their lives that everyone is the same on the inside
Author: Bobbi Kates, a writer for Sesame Street books
The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story
Topic: Immigration and teaching others to be more open-minded.
Author: Aya Khalil, freelance journalist and educator who immigrated to the U.S. from Egypt
Ten Little Bears
Topic: spirited book that celebrates Native American traditions as it teaches young children to count from one to ten. Chronicle Books
Author: Virginia Grossman, a resident of Washington State
What Can A Citizen Do?
Topic: This is a book about what citizenship—good citizenship—means to you, and to us all Chronicle Books
Author: Dave Eggers, the cofounder of: Voice of Witness, an oral-history series focused on human rights….
The Quickest Kid in Clarksville
Topic: Gentle tribute to the legend of the pathbreaking African-American sprinter Wilma Rudolph, Chronicle Books
Author: Pat Zietlow Miller, New York Times bestselling of BE KIND, children’s Author
The Other Half of Happy
Topic: For Tweens, realistic view of the struggles and insecurities—as well as the beauty—that comes from being bicultural. Chronicle Books
Author: Rebecca Balcarcel, received the Jane Kenyon Poetry Prize, and her work has appeared in journals
This Is How We Do It
Topic: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World
Author: Matt Lamothe, Illustrator and Animator from Chicago
Hats of Faith
Topic: inspires understanding and celebrates our culturally diverse modern world.
Author: Medeia Cohan, a gallery curator and an entrepreneur
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns
Topic: captures the world of Islam, celebrating its beauty and traditions for even the youngest readers. Chronicle Books
Author: Hena Khan, a Pakistani-American who enjoys writing about her culture
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
Topic: portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world.
Author: Patricia Hruby Powell, won a Sibert Honor for Nonfiction, a Coretta Scott King Honor, and five starred reviews. She lives in Illinois.
One is a Pinata
Topic: One of this Author’s Latino culture-inspired children’s books.
Author: John Parra, award-winning illustrator, designer, teacher, and fine art painter. His children’s books have earned numerous awards
Papa Do You Love Me?
Topic: captures the universal love between a father and child. Set in Africa and featuring the Maasai culture
Author: Barbara M Joosse, visited schools in Kenya and Uganda in 1997, and the Maasai and their tenderness toward their children planted a seed in her heart that grew into the idea for this book.
Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes
Topic: cleverly uses a concept book to celebrate Chinese culture
Author: Roseanne Thong, taught English in many places: California, Guatemala, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Peace, Baby!
Topic: A frustrating day may feel overwhelming, but everyone wins with Peace, Baby!
Author: Linda Ashman, her children’s books have been named to the “best of the year” lists of the New York Times, Parenting Magazine, and more
Soldier For Equality
Topic: incredible story of one man’s fight for Mexican-American civil rights, from award-winning picture book
Author: Duncan Tonatiuh, born in Mexico City and grew up in San Miguel de Allende. His books have received many awards over the years.
All Are Welcome
Topic: welcoming picture book that celebrates diversity and gives encouragement and support to all kids
Author: Alexander Penfold, author, illustrator, and animator. Over the years she’s done everything from animating special effects for Universal Television and the Discovery Channel
The Promise For Change
Topic: For Tweens, fourteen year old Jo Ann Allen was one of twelve African-American students who broke the color barrier and integrated Clinton High School in Tennessee in 1956
Author: Debbie Levy, bachelor’s degree in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, and a law degree and master’s degree in world politics from the University of Michigan.
The Moment of Lift
Topic: For Teens, How empowering women changes the world, New York Times Bestseller
Author: Melinda Gates, philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate for women and girls.
More added soon…
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