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Teaching children about diversity is one of the most important things we can do as educators and parents. Books that celebrate diversity open a window into different cultures, perspectives, and experiences, helping children develop empathy and understanding.
In this post, I’ll share my favorite diversity books for kids, categorized by age group, along with activity ideas and questions to spark meaningful conversations. I hope these books inspire a love for inclusion and connection!
Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Diversity?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Diversity
- 11 Diversity Books For Children
- What Diversity Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Diversity?
Diversity books offer children a chance to see themselves and others in the pages of a story. These books provide a foundation for understanding different cultures, traditions, and life experiences, helping children appreciate the beauty in our differences.
Through diverse characters and stories, kids learn about inclusion, acceptance, and the importance of standing up for others, making these stories both educational and empowering.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Diversity
Books play a vital role in teaching children about the world’s rich diversity. These stories offer relatable characters that reflect various cultural backgrounds, family structures, abilities, and experiences.
By engaging with diverse books, children gain a broader worldview and build empathy for people whose lives may be different from their own. Diversity books also encourage children to celebrate what makes them unique, reinforcing the idea that differences should be embraced, not feared.
How to Use Books about Diversity with Children
Here are some ways to make diversity books impactful for children:
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask children what they learned about different cultures or perspectives. Encourage them to think about how diversity makes the world more interesting and ask how they can practice inclusion in their own lives. In the classroom, Turn and Talk helps all children reflect on the story.
- Create Inclusive Activities: Extend the lesson by exploring crafts, recipes, or music from the cultures featured in the books. Have children create art that reflects their own unique identity or write stories that celebrate differences.
- Refer Back to the Books: When children encounter situations involving diversity or inclusion, remind them of the lessons from the books. Use characters and storylines to guide discussions on how to be inclusive in their own interactions.
- Involve Other Caregivers: Share diversity books with other caregivers—grandparents, babysitters, or teachers—to create a consistent message of inclusion. This shared experience helps children see diversity as a value that’s embraced across their environments.
11 Diversity Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold
This uplifting book celebrates diversity and inclusion by following a group of children from different cultural backgrounds as they go through their school day. The message is simple yet powerful: no matter where you come from, everyone is welcome.
The book emphasizes themes of acceptance, community, and kindness. It teaches children that no matter what someone looks like or where they’re from, everyone deserves to feel included. The vibrant illustrations highlight the beauty of diversity.
- Activity Idea:
- Welcome Mural: Have children create a “welcome mural” where they draw and write welcoming messages to people from all backgrounds.
- Questions To Ask:
- How do the children in the story make each other feel welcome?
- Why is it important to include everyone, no matter where they come from?
- What does the book teach you about kindness and acceptance?
#2 “We All Belong” by Nathalie Gos
“We All Belong” is a beautiful book that explores diversity through the lens of race, culture, and empathy. The book encourages children to embrace differences and teaches them about the importance of kindness and inclusion.
This book focuses on themes of empathy, acceptance, and celebrating differences. It encourages children to think about how they can be kind and empathetic toward others who may look or live differently. It’s an essential tool for teaching about race and inclusivity.
- Activity Idea:
- Kindness Chain: Make a kindness chain where children write acts of kindness they can do to make others feel like they belong.
- Questions To Ask:
- How can we show empathy toward people who are different from us?
- What makes diversity so important in our world?
- How do the characters in the book celebrate their differences?
#3 “We Are All Connected: Caring for Each Other & the Earth” by Gabi Garcia
This poetic and beautifully illustrated book shows children how everyone and everything is connected, from the people around us to the Earth itself. It encourages children to care for both others and the planet.
The book highlights themes of interconnectedness, kindness, and environmental responsibility. It teaches children that we are all part of a larger ecosystem, both socially and environmentally, and that our actions impact others and the Earth.
- Activity Ideas:
- Connection Chain: Create a “connection chain” where children draw things they care about (friends, family, nature) and link them together to represent how everything is connected.
- Questions To Ask:
- How are people and the Earth connected in the book?
- Why is it important to think about the people and environment around us?
- How can you help others and the Earth in your daily life?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 “The Gnomes and Their Hats” by Prima Jenkins
In this whimsical story, gnomes of all shapes, sizes, and colors live in harmony in a dense forest, with each gnome’s unique hat representing their individuality. The gnomes’ journey teaches lessons about acceptance, kindness, and celebrating differences.
The book explores themes of diversity, self-acceptance, and community. It shows children that everyone is unique, and these differences are something to be celebrated, not hidden. The story also promotes kindness and empathy toward others.
- Activity Ideas:
- Hat Decorating Craft: Have children design their own unique hats that represent their personalities, just like the gnomes in the story.
- Questions To Ask:
- What do the gnomes’ hats represent in the story?
- How do the gnomes show kindness toward each other?
- Why is it important to treat others with kindness, no matter how different they are?
#5 “Skin Like Mine” by Latashia M. Perry
This empowering book celebrates skin tones of all shades, using fun comparisons like “skin like chocolate” and “skin like caramel” to highlight the beauty in diversity. It encourages children to love their skin, no matter the color.
The book focuses on self-love, confidence, and diversity. It teaches children that their skin is beautiful and that differences in skin color are something to be proud of. The playful tone makes it accessible for young readers, while the deeper message of pride and inclusion shines through.
- Activity Ideas:
- Self-Portrait Craft: Have children create self-portraits using different skin-tone colors, celebrating their own unique beauty.
- Questions To Ask:
- Why is it important to love your skin, no matter its color?
- How does the book celebrate different skin tones?
- What makes your skin special?
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#6 “Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” by Sonia Sotomayor
This book, written by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, introduces children to characters with different abilities and challenges, encouraging them to ask questions and embrace differences with kindness and understanding.
The book emphasizes themes of inclusion, understanding, and curiosity. It encourages children to ask questions when they don’t understand something, rather than making assumptions. It promotes the idea that being different is something to be celebrated.
- Activity Idea:
- Ask Me Poster: Let children make “Ask Me” posters where they share something unique about themselves that others might not know.
- Questions To Ask:
- Why is it important to ask questions when you don’t understand something?
- What are some things you would like to ask about other people’s experiences?
- How does asking questions help us understand each other better?
#7 “We Are All Wonders” by R.J. Palacio
Based on the bestselling novel Wonder, this picture book version is written for younger readers and follows Auggie, a boy with a facial difference, as he helps others see that everyone is a wonder. Through beautiful illustrations and simple text, the book teaches kindness, empathy, and the value of seeing the beauty in everyone.
The book emphasizes themes of empathy, kindness, and acceptance. It encourages children to look beyond appearances and recognize the uniqueness and value in every individual. The story shows that everyone deserves respect and love, no matter how they look.
- Activity Idea:
- Empathy Role Play: Have children act out scenarios where they practice kindness and empathy, focusing on treating everyone with respect.
- Questions To Ask:
- How does Auggie show that he is a wonder in the story?
- How do the illustrations help you understand Auggie’s feelings?
- What can you do to be kind to others, like Auggie?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 “Whoever You Are” by Mem Fox
This timeless picture book celebrates the fact that while children around the world may look different, they all share similar emotions, hopes, and dreams. The book’s simple, poetic language emphasizes the common humanity that unites us all, regardless of where we live or what we look like.
The book highlights themes of diversity, unity, and empathy. It teaches children that although people may come from different backgrounds, we all experience love, joy, pain, and sadness. The book fosters a sense of global connection and respect for cultural differences.
- Activity Idea:
- World Map Connection: Create a world map where children place stickers on different countries and learn about the cultures and similarities we all share.
- Questions To Ask:
- What does the book teach you about people who live in different parts of the world?
- How are we all similar, no matter where we come from?
- Why is it important to respect people who look or live differently than we do?
#9 “Strictly No Elephants” by Lisa Mantchev
In this heartwarming story, a boy with a tiny pet elephant is left out of a pet club because his pet is different. But instead of feeling discouraged, the boy and his elephant create their own inclusive club, where all animals, no matter how unusual, are welcome.
The book explores themes of inclusion, friendship, and standing up for others. It teaches children that everyone deserves to be included, regardless of their differences. It also highlights the value of creating welcoming spaces where everyone can belong.
- Activity Idea:
- Create Your Own Club: Have children design their own “inclusive club,” where they decide what animals and friends are welcome, emphasizing the importance of inclusion.
- Questions To Ask:
- How does the boy show kindness to his tiny elephant, even when others don’t?
- What does the story teach you about including others, even if they are different?
- How do the boy and his elephant create a club that welcomes everyone?
#10 “The World Needs More Purple People” by Kristen Bell
In this vibrant and playful picture book, a young girl explains how being a “purple person” means bringing people together and celebrating what makes us unique. The book offers a humorous and light-hearted way to teach children about unity, kindness, and embracing differences.
The book focuses on themes of inclusivity, understanding, and kindness. It encourages children to celebrate what makes them unique while also focusing on the common ground that brings people together. The fun language and engaging illustrations make these important messages easy to understand.
- Activity Idea:
- Purple People Art: Have children create artwork that celebrates what makes them unique, using purple as a central theme to show how we can all come together.
- Questions To Ask:
- What does it mean to be a “purple person” in the book?
- How can you help bring people together, just like the purple people do?
- Why is it important to celebrate our differences and what we have in common?
#11 “Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger” by Elizabeth Cole
In this story, children from different backgrounds come together to learn that their diversity is what makes them strong. Through engaging illustrations and relatable text, the book teaches kids that our differences should be celebrated and that kindness and empathy make the world a better place.
The book promotes the themes of diversity, kindness, and emotional intelligence. It teaches children that by embracing different cultures, races, and perspectives, we can create a more compassionate and understanding world.
- Activity Idea:
- Diversity Collage: Have children create a collage featuring people from different cultures and backgrounds, celebrating the beauty of diversity.
- Questions To Ask:
- How does diversity make us stronger, according to the story?
- Why is it important to be kind to people who are different from us?
- How do the children in the story learn to celebrate their differences?
What Diversity Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Reading books about diversity fosters a more inclusive mindset in children and helps them appreciate the beauty of our world’s differences. Whether through stories about different cultures, abilities, or perspectives, these books provide essential lessons on acceptance and empathy.
Which diversity books are you going to share with your child or students? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches to let me know!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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