Learning to love one another for who we are is an essential foundation for our children. Our world is filled with faces that differ from our own, bodies with different abilities, and unfamiliar histories. Children must learn that these differences are what make us unique and proud.
Whether you are looking to find the best books to stock your library with or a curious mind yourself, the list of picture books that cover diversity is astounding. The way that the collection has been able to grow since I was a child is nothing less than exciting to see. With more minds, cultures, and people filling picture books, hope settles within me.
In our list of the best picture books that promote representation, the diversity that the story covers is broken into new categories. As we know diversity goes beyond just a single category, these books touch on subjects from different religions to different bodies to cultures and abilities.
Body Diversity
Big, Vashti Harrison
Centering a body we don’t often see in children’s books, Big follows a young girl who loves to dance. When people start to treat her differently because of her body, she has to go on a journey of self-love, acceptance, and courage. Taking themes we’ve heard before, Big brings acceptance to the light of one’s body. A hard-to-learn lesson, this book sheds the complications that come with your connection to your body and paints it in an innocent and simple light.
Every Body, Megan Madison, and Jessica Ralli
Written by activists, this book draws attention to the work of our bodies. The way our bodies change and develop, how we talk and care for them. Most importantly, this book brings to light the fact that not all bodies are the same, but they are all unique and powerful. A truly well-written and sweet picture book, the theme is perfect for young children.
Some Bodies, Sophie Keenan
Much like Every Body, Some Bodies draws attention to the power of our bodies. Leaning more into the individuality of our shapes and sizes, Some Bodies explores the idea that because our bodies are different, we are stronger together. The picture book is a perfect balance of preaching self-love and acceptance while introducing community and togetherness.
Cultural Diversity
Gigi and Ojiji, Melissa Iwai
A wonderfully sweet and touching story told between a young girl and her grandfather, Gigi and Ojiji explores cultural identity and generational change. Gigi is a young biracial girl who sets out to learn more about her Japanese heritage through her grandfather who recently moved in with her and her parents.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, Joanna Ho
A book near and dear to my heart, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is a story centering on Asian culture. A young girl notices that her eyes are different from her classmates. Taking this in stride, she notices she has the same eyes as her mother and grandmother. A sweet and gorgeously illustrated picture book, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is an absolute must when seeking out books with representation.
Across the Alley, Richard Michelson
In a story told through bedroom windows, Abe and Willie are two boys who live across from one another. Though the boys don’t know each other, they start having conversations across the way through their windows. The two kids quickly build a friendship over shared hobbies and life. The story teaches how differences bring us together and shouldn’t be what divides us.
Religious Diversity
In My Mosque, M.O. Yuksel
Yuskel makes learning about new religions easy and welcoming. Painting Mosques as a place for all, and making it a safe space for everyone, Yuksel strips away any confusion about new religions. Paired with incredible illustrations from Hatem Aly, In My Mosque brings communities together and educates children on other faiths.
Lailha’s Lunchbox, Reem Faruqi
Following the young girl, Lailha, as she joins a new school, the story approaches growing up in the light of religion. Lailha is finally old enough to fast for Ramadan and comes to school with an empty lunchbox. After experiencing some strange glances, Lailha decides not to wallow in shame or embarrassment but to take the opportunity to educate her school on her practices. Truly a well-done story by Faruqi and wonderfully original.
Hats of Faith, Medeia Cohan
In a simpler take on the approach to diverse religions, Medeia Cohan tells a sweet and short lesson through her picture book. Taking a step to tackling this difference through the universal experience of clothing makes for a highly understandable layout for children. The art is playfully done and makes the lesson even more fun to read through.
Ability Diversity
Song in the City, Daniel Bernstrom
I love this story. As a teacher, I’ve heard this book read many times, and each time I fall in love with how Bernstrom approaches being blind. With a young girl at the heart of the story, the book talks about love, experience, and new perspectives. The girl is blind and takes her grandmother on a walk through their city to experience it through her ears. On their walk, a symphony of sounds erupts throughout the streets to join them.
Ali and the Sea Stars, Ali Stroker
Written by Broadway performer, Ali Stroker, Ali and the Sea Stars tells the story of a class prepping for their first performance. Starring a young girl in a wheelchair, Ali, the picture book never makes Ali’s disability a problem- instead, the story embraces her differently-abled body and lights her as a star. Stroker wrote this picture book inspired by her own experience attending camps and putting on performances in her wheelchair. Her connection to the story shines through in her writing, making this book an excellent example of representation.
The Way Champs Play, Naomi Osaka
Not only is Naomi Osaka an Olympic award-winning athlete, but she’s also a writer! Her children’s book The Way Champs Play includes differently abled bodies in the conversation surrounding sports. Osaka takes an ostracized group of kids and brings them into the realm of racing, tennis, basketball, and so much more!
Embracing differences is quintessential to growing up with acceptance and love at the forefront of minds. Picture books are an excellent way to embrace these foundations through a medium children understand and enjoy.
We also highly suggest you check out our list of children’s books that touch on mental health as our minds are as important as our bodies!
Need more children’s book recs? No worries! Check out our list of banned books kids should be reading!
