Looking for diversity picture books? Here are the best children’s books celebrating diversity and inclusion featuring a diverse set of characters.
I’ve chosen fifty of my favorite diversity picture books and written book descriptions in the style of a Haiku poem. It’s not exactly a Haiku, but I’m following for the form of 5-7-5. I’ve broken the picture books into five categories:
- 10 Diversity Picture Books Teaching Kindness
- 10 Diversity Immigration Picture Books
- 10 Diversity Picture Books to Encourage Empathy
- 10 Diversity Picture Books About Unsung Heroes
- 10 Diversity Picture Books About Amazing Artists
Let me know if you like this [weird] format because I have fifty more picture books in mind for a second version if requested. Thanks so much!
10 Diversity Picture Books Teaching Kindness
Finding the Music/En Pos de la Música by Jennifer Torres, illustrated by Renato Alarcão
breaking his guitar
helps to find abuelito
in everyone’s hearts
[bilingual Spanish picture book, ages 4 and up]
Mama, I’ll Give You the World by Roni Schotter, illustrated by S. Saelig Gallagher
at her hair salon
luisa plans a surprise
for her single mom
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Girl with a Brave Heart by
when kindness rewards
“Cinderella” in Iran
beauty revealed
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
My Rows and Piles of Coins
by
in Tanzania
Saruni saves for a bike
to help his mother
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
Coins saved forever
to buy a comfortable chair
for all to enjoy
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis*
E. B. Lewis has been accused of sexual misconduct.
had they been kinder
Maya might have stayed
and been their friend
[picture book, ages 5 and up]
The Best Eid Ever by
to celebrate Eid
Aneesa decides to give
to those with much less
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
Never Say a Mean Word Again by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard
in medieval Spain
prevent mean words with wisdom
befriending instead
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Sam and the Lucky Money by
Sam’s lucky money
not enough for his desires
help homeless instead
[picture book, ages 5 and up]
The Red Bicycle by
bicycle travels
from U.S. to Africa
loved and used
[picture book, ages 8 and up]
10 Diversity Immigration Picture Books
The Journey by Francesca Sanna
escape from war is hard
by foot, in hiding, by boat
will this be new home
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Pancho Rabbit and Coyote by Duncan Tonatiuh
hope papa returns
gone north two years for work
danger everywhere
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
Mali Under the Night Sky by Youme Landowne
Laos civil war
her family brings memories
to the new country
[picture book, ages 5 and up]
Encounter by Brittany Luby, illustrated by Michaela Goade
warn against strangers
they want gold not your friendship
to take all they can
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
Here I Am by Patti Kim, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez
from Korea by plane
a modern immigration
is still very hard
[wordless picture book, ages 5 and up]
Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
vastness of ocean
Japan to America
torn between two worlds
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Sumi’s First Day of School Ever by Soyung Pak, illustrated by Joung Un Kim
the first day of school
when you don’t speak the language
but still make a friend
[picture book, ages 3 and up]
Mamá The Alien by
alien from space
is this my mama’s secret
residency card
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
My Name is Sangoel by
no one can pronounce
this part of me from Sudan
my proud Dinka name
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
One Green Apple by Eve Bunting
lonely school field trip
like a green apple, unripe
but ready for friends
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
10 Diversity Picture Books to Encourage Empathy
Last Stop on Market Street by
Matt de la Pena has been accused of sexual misconduct.
bus ride with grandma
she sees beauty all around
old sights seen anew
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
the bully is gone
from a game of Simon Says
because of a lisp
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Can Man by
competing for cans
ask what is more important
a skateboard or food
[picture book, ages 7 and up]
Symphony of Whales by
whale pod in trouble
thousands trapped in frozen water
music to save them
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
I’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’Brien
three new immigrants
new to English, new to school
how will they fit in?
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
which name is better
mine or one you can pronounce
that’s my decision
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
New Shoes by
new shoes with Jim Crow
not possible to try them
time for a new plan
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
Maddie’s Fridge by
when to break promise
tell and help friend’s empty fridge
or will she be mad
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
My Brother Charlie by
see his strengths as well
understanding autism
my brother Charlie
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light by Tim Tingle, illustrated by Karen Clarkson
a rock hit her eye
blinded but not forever
forgives racism
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
10 Diversity Picture Books about Unsung Heroes
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
trash can empower
Gambian women believe
upcycled treasures
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story of Iraq by Jeanette Winter
with books in danger
librarian moves them, twice
30,000 books
[picture book, ages 7 and up]
Twenty-Two Cents: Muhammad Yunus and the Village Bank by Paula Yoo, illustrated by Jamel Akib
small loan changes lives
pull women from poverty
10 billion loaned
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by
she gets trees planted
to help people of Kenya
30 million trees
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
her powerful voice
inspired those fighting for change
sweet and strong in song
[picture book, ages 9 and up]
Fannie Never Flinched: One Woman’s Courage in the Struggle for American Labor Union Rights by Mary Cronk Farrell
she died a martyr
organize labor unions
garment and mining
[picture book, ages 10 and up]
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by L
it didn’t matter
physical disability
bike across Ghana
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story by Paula Yoo, illustrated by Dom Lee
banned from pubic pools
didn’t stop him from diving
back to back gold metals
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
As Fast As Words Could Fly by
a typing contest
victory for Civil Rights
though just in high school
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 by
shirtwaist factories
with appalling conditions
Clara organizes
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
10 Diversity Picture Books about Amazing Artists
Trash Artist: A Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art by
Detroit’s crumbling streets
Tyree transforms trash to art
community heals
[picture book, ages 5 and up]
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe
he decides quite young
museums will hang his art
graffiti art fame
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
Colors of the Wind: The Story of Blind Artist and Champion Runner George Mendoza by
blindness didn’t stop
George from winning races or
becoming artist
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales, photographed by Tim O’Meara
Frida Kahlo dreams
plays, knows, realizes that
she expresses life
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by
with his camera
Gordon shows segregration
fighting racism
[picture book, ages 5 and up]
It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw by Don Tate, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
outsider artist
he began at 81
sharing memories
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
The Magic Horse of Han Gan by Chen Jiang Hong
horses leap off page
China, 1200 years hence
Han Gan’s horse rides off
[picture book, ages 4 and up]
Hokusai: The Man Who Painted a Mountain by Deborah Kogan Ray
rise from poverty
self taught artist paints mountain
with thirty six views
[picture book, ages 7 and up]
Story Painter: The Life of Jacob Lawrence by John Duggleby
Harlem streets buzzed
His Migration paintings soared
tells stories for all
[advanced picture book, ages 8 and up]
Diego Rivera: His World and Ours by Duncan Tonatiuh
born in land of frogs
wall murals celebrated
his country’s culture
[picture book, ages 6 and up]
p.s. For more related book lists:
African-American Pioneering Female Musicians
9 People Who Changed the World: Nobel Peace Prize Winner Picture Books
Multicultural Books for Kids: 60+ Book Lists
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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
- 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 longlist
- 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
Cherries and Cherry Pits, really shows a slice of life in a neighborhood giving backstory to the people and their thoughts and leanings centered around unity (the cherry pits). It’s kind of the little kids version of Seed Folks, where a group comes together to make a neighborhood beautiful again by planting a small seed. I’ve read both for years. The metaphor provokes fabulous discussion, plus Vera shows kids the ways to developing character, looking deeply inside the souls and the lives of the people she describes. Love your list! Thank you!
Thanks for your great recommendation Gael! I’ll have to find that one! I’ve vaguely heard of it but I’ve never read it. I hope my library has it.
Such a great set of lists, Mia!! Thank you for sharing them. I’ll have to come back often & re-visit them for titles that I’m unfamiliar with.
Thanks so much Maria! I need to learn more about Haiku!
This is an awesome resource!
Thank you so much MaryAnne! I started off thinking I would cover 100 books but I had to cut back. I might do another 50 book post though. I still have those 50 on a list that I didn’t use.
I enjoyed this post so much I pinned each of your pictures! Thanks for all these wonderful suggestions!
Thank you so much for your kind encouragement and support Mother of 3!
Great list! We need more books like these! 🙂
Thank you Erik for your kind words! I’m really enjoying your book reviews as well. I learn about a lot of new books that I think my son will enjoy!
So many amazing books listed here! Thanks for sharing! I see many favorites. Here are a few more of my favs: Knock Knock My Dad’s Dream for Me, All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, Jacob’s New Dress, A Fine Dessert… too many to list. So excited for the future of diverse books! #ReadYourWorld 🙂
Hi Carrie,
Thank you so much!!! I’m so glad you like this list. It was a departure for me to write the reviews in Haiku!
Great Round up of lists. So much to explore here.
Thanks Valarie!
DO NOT BUY
GIRL WITH A BRAVEHEART!
I very rarely comment on things, but this is important and I just got done dealing with a situation from my girls hearing this book at a book club.
I’m going to give a brief synopsis of the story ( it’s a long book) and then my comments. This is a longer comment due to the synopsis but please stick with this and see what the comments are.
This story begins with a Cinderella-like beginning. With the girl’s mother dead and her father remarried a woman with a daughter and then he does and the stepmother makes his daughter do all of the housework. When the girl has alone time she likes to use the yarn- the only thing left of her mother’s- but it accidentally drops out the window and it ends up in the neighbors yard. The girl goes to retrieve it. The woman who answers the door when she goes to pick up the yarn tell the girl to break things and trash the kitchen, tear everything up in the garden and ruin it and then cut up the woman’s hair and mess that up too.
The girl chooses not to do that and instead washes the dishes and fixes up the kitchen and then does the same for the garden and cleans the woman’s hair and braids it. The woman says now go dip yourself in the this pool 3 times and this pool three times and then you will be beautiful.
The girl does as she is told and the book says that she was now very beautiful and when she went back home to her stepmother and stepsister they thought she was beautiful now and the stepmother told her biological daughter to do the same thing. So they went out and got yarn and threw some out the window until some landed in the old women’s yard and the daughter had to go there to ask for it back. When she did the woman told this daughter to do the same things: trash the kitchen and the garden and her the woman’s hair. So this daughter did exactly that. Ruined the kitchen and the garden and cut up the women’s hair. The woman then tells this daughter to dip herself in the pool 3 times and this other pool 3 times and she will be beautiful and because the daughter wanted to be more beautiful than her stepsister she stayed in each pool longer than she was supposed to and she backs ugly.
I don’t care for reading stories to my children that teach my girls things Like this. I have a 6 year old girl and a 5 year old girl and a baby girl.
1. Why read stories that have an adult telling someone to break things and ruin things and cut up someone’s hair…
2. Why did the adult woman tell her she would be beautiful after she dipped herself in the pools- was she not beautiful already or was the fact that the girl had a beautiful heart and chose not to do those things beautiful enough or even physically was that adult woman saying that the girl was physically not beautiful enough?
3. Why would the mother tell her daughter to do the same thing as the stepdaughter so she would be beautiful too —- what mother would tell her child that – it’s saying to the daughter she is not accepted the way she’s is and she needs to change – physically….really- please don’t read this to your girls or even your boys for that matter I can see how that would go as well… what is that teaching them?
I could go on about the reasons why this book is wrong on so many levels. There may be some good things tucked in there and maybe even through A LOT of conversation with your children you could pull out something good and correct all of the terrible lessons this book teaches, but why when you don’t have to. There are many other stories that you could chose from that don’t require you to re-teach and correct and skip…
it’s a terrible book for little girls in my opinion. I wouldn’t buy it or check it out from the library for my children, but if you do please read it alone before you read it to your little ones.
I wish I had been able to read this before sending my children into book club this day. When discussing this book my 6 year old said to me,
“ why didn’t the mother like how her daughter looked?” And
“ Why is the mother not nice to her?”
…. my 4 year old almost 5 year old was telling me about the story and she said
“….and when she went into the pool she was really beautiful! I want to do that….”
I think there is enough in the works that teaches our girls that they have to be a certain way to be beautiful- why do children’s stories teach this?????
It’s so sad to me.
I appreciate your perspective on this book!