Children’s Books About Diversity

Diversity and acceptance are the two words that are so needed in modern life. If people were able to accept diversity – their own uniqueness as well as the peculiarities of others, the world would be much kinder.

10 Children’s Books about Being Different

You can always teach your kid the virtue of diversity and the best way to get him accustomed to it is to give children’s books about diversity. Here is my list of the top 10 children’s books about being different. Let’s go!

Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger by Elizabeth Cole

Little hero Nick is afraid of being teased for his reading glasses. But, to his surprise, the world around him is full of unique people, which are beautiful in their own way.
This book will teach your daughter or son how to accept one`s peculiarities and make them the special features which distinguish people from the common crowd. The book can appeal to both preschoolers and school-aged kids. Catching illustrations will catch your kid’s attention and make him fall in love with the book at once.
By the way, just in case your little one is suffering from poor eyesight, Nick can help him to get rid of the fear of wearing glasses. It can also motivate boys and girls to accept other psychological peculiarities and live happy life.

Acceptance Is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego

The book is the third one in My Superpower series. This time readers will meet Lisa, a small girl who was let down by her best friend. The girl will have to learn how to respect diversity and accept differences in people.
The book does a great job telling boys and girls that we are all different, but we can celebrate our uniqueness. There is true beauty in being the only person in the whole world who poses such traits as you have. And it’s so cool to see how our close ones express their identity. Making friends with different people is so fun!
Acceptance Is My Superpower is a nice tool to initiate a conversation with kids about:

• differences in people;
• the power of acceptance;
• the negative emotions and the ways of dealing with them, etc.

The book is well-illustrated so young readers will definitely be fascinated by its design. Plus, it’s quite suitable for kids aged 4-9 years.

All People Are Beautiful by Vincent Kelly

If you still wonder what diversity books for kids to choose for your son or daughter`s reading nook, take this one. It focuses on the differences between nationalities and races. In case your kid lives in a multicultural environment, this book is a 100% must-have.
All People Are Beautiful is an example of literature with both colorful illustrations and simple rhymes. It’s easy to comprehend at the age of 3-6.

I Am Enough by Grace Byers

The topic is very important nowadays. Too many girls are dependent on beauty standards, spending a lot of money and undergoing difficult surgeries just to fit the rules of beauty. And in the future these girls become women who suffer from home violence and don’t dare to stop it once and for all. If only they had had such books as I Am Enough in their childhood. Perhaps, their life would be different.
A perfect reading option for little girls and their mothers. This book is quite suitable for preschoolers and older kids. I Am Enough is a lyrical ode to one’s own personality. It teaches girls to respect themselves and never doubt one`s own beauty and worthiness of being happy.

It’s OK to Be Different by Sharon Purtill

It`s a brilliant nonfiction picture book that proclaims the awesomeness of diversity. It’s OK to Be Different, touches upon such vital topics as

• anti-racism;
• tolerance;
• kindness;
• acceptance and many others.

Among picture books about diversity, this one is peculiar for its age range. All kids up to 10-12 can enjoy its breathtaking illustrations and rhymes. The message is quite clear – we all are different and we have to accept each other to live in happiness.

I Am Whole by Shola Oz

Books that celebrate diversity are always more personal-traits-oriented. This one, in turn, teaches kids to respect and accept other cultures and their representatives. Unlike other books for kids, I Am Whole is a perfect quick read for the smallest kids. Rhyming verses and colorful illustrations catch children’s eyes and make them get interested in the topic.
It introduces little readers to such terms as

• cultural traditions;
• language differences;
• mixed backgrounds;
• family peculiarities.

Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor

It`s the #1 New York Times bestseller with the illustration of an award-winning artist. Sonia Sotomayor managed to create an exciting story for preschoolers and elementary school students.
Just Ask is a perfect example of children’s books about diversity and inclusion. The author gives an impressive metaphor of the garden in which all flowers are different. It makes it even more vibrant. Kids with special needs are the flowers that possess their own beauty.
The heroes of the book learn this wisdom by planting a garden together. They just ask questions and learn more about each other. All are different but all are united.

Chocolate Milk, Por Favor by Maria Dismondy

This story will seem familiar to many kids. Gabe stands by the door of his new classroom and feels nervous about entering it. He is scared and insecure because he is to meet his new classmates but he doesn’t speak English.
The boy has to learn the hard way how important it is to be kind to other people. He`ll meet a rival in the face of Johnny. Will they get along with each other? The answer is in the book.
Chocolate Milk, Por Favor is a well-illustrated picture book for kids up to 7-8 years old. It comes with a Reader’s Guide which contains lots of activities concerning the topic. It’s suitable for both home and school use.

Stacey’s Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams

Your collection of children’s books about diversity cannot do without this #1 New York Times bestseller. It will teach your little one to be patient and persistent to reach goals.
A bestselling author Stacey Abrams shares her own story of growth and self-confidence building. The main character is fond of words. She likes everything about them. But one day Stacey`s school teacher wants her to take part in a spelling competition. She feels apprehensive because she isn’t sure whether she`ll fail, being unable to say a single word as it happens when facing bullies at school. Stacey has to overcome her fears and learn that perseverance is a powerful tool to accept oneself.

The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart

How to be a self-sufficient person and find common ground with other people?  That’s the question that most people are interested in. In this fascinating story, young readers will meet Penny Purple, who is an everyday superhero.
Purple people, according to the authors, like working and enjoy joking. Also, they are extremely kind and generous. Reading this lovely example of diversity books for kids, readers will learn how to:

• develop own talents;
• socialize with people;
• be kind and nice to others;
• accept differences;
• tolerate other people’s traits of character, etc.

Conclusion

See, how many books that celebrate diversity are there! You can choose among the most talented authors and their no less brilliant works. Choose the ones that appeal to your kid mostly and read them together!