18 Great Diverse Books for Read Your World Day!

In celebration of Read Your World Day on January 30th, I am sharing reviews of diverse children’s books that I’ve received.

We will be giving away book bundles at our Virtual Party. It will be held at 9 pm EST on January 30th.

Sign up here

for Read Your World

Virtual Party

18 Great Diverse Books for Read Your World Day

The Last Stand by Antwan Eady, illustrated by Jarrett and Jerone Phumphrey

The Black-owned farm stands are dwindling at the local farmer’s market so a little boy decides to step up when his Papa is too tired to open their stand. The author’s note includes information about the downturn of Black farmers in the U.S. and the root causes for this catastrophic loss to their communities. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Aloha Everything by Kaylin Melia George, illustrated by Mae Waite

This rhyming picture book is a celebration of Native Hawaiian culture, particularly the stories and legends from the island of Molokai as told to Kaylin Melia George as a child by her mother. Gorgeous illustrations by Mae Waite invite the reader to experience the magic of the girl’s journey from a young child to a woman. Native Hawaiian words are sprinkled throughout as well as an I Spy challenge on many of the wordless page spreads. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Lunch Every Day by Kathryn Otoshi

Why are some kids bullies? This sensitive story explores a different kind of anti-bullying strategy. Jimmy is a bully who takes “Skinny Kid’s” lunch every day. Skinny Kid’s mother invites Jimmy to his birthday party and offers to make him lunch every day. This is the compassion that Jimmy needs to turn his life around. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

These Olive Trees by Aya Ghanameh

This is Aya’s grandmother’s story. Oraib and her family live in a refugee camp where they harvest olives and release its golden oil. Her grandmother used to live in a village called Al-Tira, by the coast of Palestine where her family raised olive trees for generations, but war came and forced them into the refugee camp near Nablus. War comes again to Nablus, and once again, Oraib and her family must flee. The olive trees must be left behind, but Oraib finds a way to keep her family’s connection to the land and the olive trees alive. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Popi’s All Souls Song by C.K. Malone and Shelly Swann

Mara and her Nene celebrate All Souls Day by singing songs to their neighbors who lost loved ones. They miss, Popi, who passed away last year. It’s hard to give comfort when their own hearts ache with loss. Mara has an idea. She sends Nene home to rest while she sings a song to the neighbors that Popi held dear. Then, she prepares a surprise for Nene, showcasing the power of music to both heal and unite. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Esther’s Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim by Martha Seif Simpson, illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard

Purim is a Jewish holiday based on the story of Queen Esther, and Esther is going to lead a parade with her noisemaker, a toy called a gragger. This is no ordinary parade but a way of giving back to the community by delivering gifts. When a bully wants to take Esther’s gragger away, she uses her wits, just like Queen Esther to outwit him. Readers will learn more about the history of Purim and how it is celebrated. The back matter also includes how to make your own gragger! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

The Three-Year Tumble: Based on a Korean Folktale by Dayeon Auh, translated by Tim Mohr

There is such wisdom in this Korean folk tale about one’s perspective on life! A grandfather tumbles down a mountain known as “Misfortune Mountain” for whoever fell down it had only three years to live. At the end of the three years, the grandfather feels ill and at the end of his life. But when his granddaughter visits with a new perspective, suddenly, the weight is lifted and he has a new lease on life. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls by Janie Emaus, illustrated by Bryan Langdo

Easter and Passover are close together this year. Michael wants a way to celebrate Passover with his new stepsister Anna who is Jewish but every idea he texts to the Easter bunny doesn’t work. Looking for the matzo is Anna’s favorite part of Passover but they are out of matzo. Michael has an idea. An Easter egg hunt! Perhaps there is a way to celebrate both holidays! This is a celebration of blended families and holidays! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

The Home We Make by Maham Khwaja and Daby Zainab Faidhi

Before the rockets

     and the road

          and the boats

               and the water

                    and the tents.

A war forces a girl and her family to flee their home and they go on a long refugee journey in search of a place full of hope and wonder. In America, they learn a new language and start a new life. They are the lucky ones. Until.. someone throws a brick through their window with a note that says “GO HOME.” Faced with fear again, the little girl and her parents build their lives together, brick by brick. Their small connections will turn this new country into a home. This story belongs in every classroom library to remind us all what “home” might mean to a refugee and how we might help them rebuild their lives. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

No More Señora Mimí by Meg Medina and Brittany Cicchese

Ana is excited that her Abuela is coming to live with them and can take care of her when her Mami is at work. But then, Ana realizes that Senora Mimi will no longer be her babysitter. It is the best of both worlds when she realizes that because Senora Mimi is her neighbor, she will still be able to see her. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

A Sky That Sings by Anita Sanchez, illustrated by George Steele

Mia goes bird watching with her aunt, but she uses her ears instead of her eyes to identify the birds through the sounds they make. The ten birds featured in the book are in the end matter with additional information including how to respond to them. This lovely picture book showcases how those with hearing impairment experience the world around them. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

Wisdom Weavers: Explore the Ojibwe Language and the Meaning of Dream Catchers by James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw and Marcus Trujillo

Learn about dream catchers including their origin and significance in Ojibwe culture. Along the way, readers will learn Ojibwe words. QR codes in the end matter provide pronunciation for each of the words introduced. There is also instructions on how to make your own dream catcher! [picture book, ages 6 and up]

Desert Queen by Joyti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli

This glorious picture book is one of my mentor texts for how to write lyrically. It tells the story of Queen Harish, a drag performer, in Rajasthan, India. She is not only a talented performer but an icon who supported folk artists and musicians in Rajasthan and paved the way as a role model for gender fluidity.  [picture book biography, ages 7 and up]

The Doll Test: Choosing Equality by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by David Elmo Cooper

Beginning in the 1880s, schools in America became segregated, separating white children from those of color. By 1910, this policy became entrenched. The Doll Test was created by Black psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark to investigate the effect of segregation in the school system. Their findings were compelling in the case of Brown v. Board of Education case which challenged school segregation. Carole Boston Weatherford uses the dolls themselves, using their voices to bring this story to life. [nonfiction picture book, ages 7 and up]