I wanted to highlight some great picture books and chapter books with diverse themes that have come my way. What multicultural books are you and your kids enjoying? Please share!
Multicultural Books for Kids
King for a Day by Rukhsana Khan
I love this book for covering so much territory with just one story. Malik is looking forward to Basant, held on the fifth day of the lunar month of Magha (in late January or early February) marking the start of spring. It’s a time to fly kites as well as a religious festival. Malik has built his own kite and he can be king for a day if he can defeat all the other kite fighters, including the bullies next door. Malik just so happens to be in a wheelchair flying his kite on the roof of his house. The bully loses but Malik can see him below on the street trying to take a kite away from a girl. Can Malik do something about that? [picture book, ages 6 and up]
All Kinds of Strong by Sharon Reiss Baker, illustrated by Kris Wiltse
Sadie Rose is small for her age and often sickly. Her neighbors worry that she isn’t strong enough for the physical demands of helping on her family’s farm but her neighbor Mrs. Mindel reminds them that there are all kinds of strong. Sadie Rose remembers everything and comes up with solutions to problems that no one else has thought of. When Mrs. Mindel’s house burns down — her parlor is also the shul or synagogue — Sadie Rose has an idea of what to do.
I especially love the woodblock illustrations that illuminate this story of Jewish chicken and dairy farmers in Eastern Connecticut. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
Never Say a Mean Word Again: A Tale from Medieval Spain by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard
This story was inspired by the real-life actions of the Jewish poet Samuel Ha-Nagid, the vizier in 11th-century Muslim Spain. In a world full of conflict, the story of two boys — one Jewish, the other Muslim — feels particularly relevant. How do you punish an enemy? How do you make sure your enemy never says a mean word again? I think the solution that young Samuel came up with would work today as well as it did in the 11th century. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Horse Raid: The Making of a Warrior by Paul Goble
Notable children’s book author Joseph Bruchac of the Abenaki tribe noted in the forward:
American Indian traditions of raiding other tribes for horses were viewed as honorable pursuit by all the native nations of the Great Plains. It was not “stealing” in the European sense, but something done to earn honor …
In fact, it was common for men who were successful in taking away horses from another tribe to then give them many of those same horses to one’s own tribal members who needed them.
Caldecott-awarded author Paul Goble tells this story through the eyes of a fourteen-year-old boy. His mother — like all mothers — does not want him in the dangerous raiding party so he sneaks away with his friend to join his father. It’s a coming-of-age story that includes themes of honor, courage, and generosity. [advanced picture book, ages 7 and up]
New Multicultural Chapter Books for Kids
What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau
Fourteen-year-old Clara Luna doesn’t know too much about her father’s past; only that he came to America from Mexico as an undocumented worker, married her American mom, and built a successful life for himself and their family. There’s a void in not knowing so when she gets a letter from her grandparents inviting her to visit them in a remote part of Mexico, she agrees to go. As Clara connects with her relatives, the stories that come out show her the ties that bind her and the sacrifices that must be made to pursue a better life.
I loved this middle-grade novel that shows the conflicts and hardships that undocumented workers go through, from a different point of view; that of their Americanized daughter. This book reminds me of The Joy Luck Club because both books bring out stories in a rich tapestry of where the past and present collide. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
Tua and the Elephant by R. P. Harris, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
This gentle easy chapter book was inspired by the plight of the Asian elephants living in a refuge park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The authors have created a plucky young girl, Tua, who is moved to save a young elephant from its cruel handlers. In order to save this elephant, she must traverse the night markets of Chiang Mai, hide out in a Buddhist temple, and race to find a sanctuary where it will be safe. Though the bad guys are bad, there is a cartoon element to their antics and they are never scary, so I think this book would work well for ages 7 and up. [easy chapter book, ages 7 and up]
Latasha and the Little Red Tornado by Michael Scotto, illustrated by Evette Gabriel
Latasha’s mom had finally transitioned her career from a motel cleaning lady to a nursing aide. This is great news except that Latasha now needs more time being babysat by their landlord, Mrs. Okocho. The problem isn’t just Mrs. Okocho’s cooking, it’s that Latasha’s puppy, Ella Fitzgerald, has a lot of energy and gets into trouble if she’s not exhausted. Can Latasha keep her puppy out of trouble? [chapter book, ages 9 and up]
New Multicultural Chapter Book for Kids GIVEAWAY
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I recommend a boy and a ball to get a puppy worn out! My son would love to help with that project!
Hi MaryAnne,
That would be a fun project — wearing out a puppy! And a boy and a ball would work really well!!!
Hi Mia,
Definitely Grandfather’s Journey, by Allen Say.
Hi Jim,
I love Allen Say’s books too! Thanks for your great recommendation!
I have never had a puppy, but I would guess lots of running!
Hi Carrie,
Running would work great!!!
Great selection of multicultural books. On your list, I’ve only read “King for a Day,” which was outstanding. One of my favorites was “Inside Out & Back Again.:
Hi Patricia,
I LOVED Inside Out and Back Again too! I never expected to love novels in verse or to find that they tell a story better than prose, but I’m among the converted! Thanks for your great recommendation!
These all sound so interesting. I love the cover art!
Puppies never seem to get tired!
Hi Ann,
Thanks so much! Our puppy had a phase when he was very little where he could only walk to one house and get worn out but within a month, he had so much more energy! I don’t think I have the energy for a puppy now though!
…lots of tag and play in the back yard.
Hi Andie,
Tag is a great idea!!
I love multi-cultural books because of the big picture they present to kids – we are all part of a larger world and we are all the same but different. I have reviewed about 4 on my blog about the Australian Indigenous Culture, the most recent being You and Me: Our Place by Leonie Norrington. I love it because it depicts a clear picture to young readers about how part of the aboriginal culture is now, not in the past.
Hi Lesley,
Thank you so much for sharing You and Me: Our Place. The link is here: http://www.australianpicturebooks.com/2014/08/you-and-me-our-place.html
I will share it via my social media too! You are absolutely right! We need to spread the word about multicultural books to kids; it’s such an important message that we are more the same than different and books can help show kids!
Well, in my case they get tired by playing soccer with my kid or just running around in the backyard chasing lizards. 🙂
Hi Krizia,
That’s a great way to tire out both kid and puppy!