Picture books are a really great way to introduce new ideas to young kids. They start conversations, and can help explain things in an age-appropriate way. Whether that’s learning what animals live on a farm or books about diversity for kids, choosing books that fit your family’s values is important.
All of the books on this list will help expand the diversity of your home library. Some cover the topics of outside race or religions, others LGBTQ+ issues. By reading a variety of books to your kids, especially when they’re young, you can help expand their worldview.
My Favourite Diverse Picture Books for Preschoolers and Kids
Welcome to the Party
This stunningly illustrated book is told from the perspective of mother to baby. Written by a Black author who underwent fertility issues, Welcome to the Party is truly a celebration of a long-awaited child.
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Love Around The World
Love and friendship is a universal language, but the rituals we use to celebrate it are diverse from place to place. This book, created by Lonely Planet, shows kids how people care for each other in different countries. From gifting lunch boxes to brides in Japan to a Sinterklaas poem in the Netherlands, kids can see the small, different ways we say the same thing: “I care about you”.
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Last Stop on Market Street
CJ is a young boy who rides the bus across town with his grandma every Sunday, but for the first time starts to wonder why he doesn’t have what his friends do. His grandma helps him see the positives of what they experience – helpful for both those experiencing poverty and to help kids see people who live differently than them.
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A Family Is a Family Is a Family
This is by far one of my favourite books about diversity for kids. It highlights all types of families including LGBTQ couples, intergenerational families, and divorce situations. The language is also non-discriminatory, which really helps kids in complex dynamics feel included.
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I Am Enough
I Am Enough is a book about self love and accepting others, a message that every child needs to hear. Each page has a different affirmation and the illustrations all feature BIPOC characters, including some children with disabilities.
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Rainbow Boy
This book is adorable and light hearted, which preschool aged kids will find engaging on its own. While it could be framed as an LGBTQ+ story, it’s really about being yourself and breaking down gender barriers.
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Mixed: A Colorful Story
In the beginning there were just three colours: red, yellow, and blue. When Red decides that Red is best, everyone starts fighting.. That is, until some new colours are created. A great read to introduce the concept of race and acceptance.
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All Are Welcome
In this school all children, regardless of who they are, have a place. With lines like “No matter how you start your day. What you wear when you play. Or if you come from far away. All are welcome here.” it delivers a strong message to welcome everyone – regardless of their race, religion, or status.
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I Am Jazz
Basically a classic at this point, I Am Jazz was one of the first stories to explain gender transition to kids. Based on real life Jazz Jennings, who knew she was a girl from a very young age, it shares a personal experience at a kid-friendly level.
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The Color of You and Me
Skin colour is one of the most visual representations of diversity that kids see. The Color of You and Me celebrates those differences and helps kids see that everyone is beautiful in their own way.
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Red: A Crayon’s Story
I’m a strong believer that books about diversity for kids should also include lessons on being yourself and accepting others. Red is a story about a crayon who has a red label, but is actually blue on the inside. The challenge is getting everyone else to see him for who he is.
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We All Belong: A Children’s Book About Diversity, Race and Empathy
Instead of living in a colourblind world it’s important to talk about diversity and race. With simple messages We All Belong showcases children of different ethnicities who look different, but still all belong to the human race together.
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Pink Is for Boys
Any books that challenge the gender binary are good ones in my books. It’s not just about boys, though – Pink Is for Boys is about both boys and girls being able to do whatever interests them without having to worry about harmful gender stereotypes.
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Your Name Is a Song
Your Name Is a Song tells the story of a Black girl whose name is said wrong all day at school – and she doesn’t want to go back. Her mother teaches her the musicality of her name, and other African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names, on a walk. It helps children understand that all names are beautiful, and how important it is to speak everyone’s name properly.
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Rain Boy
Nobody likes Rain Boy because wherever he goes, it rains. A story about emotions and acceptance, Rain Boy and everyone around him eventually learn to accept his rain. It’s a story about differences, bullying, and empathy.
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It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity
Another great choice for books about diversity for kids, this one is also in my personal library at home. It covers all kinds of queer gender identities including cisgender, transgender, and non-binary. What I really like, though, is there are also definitions in the back for adults to explore too.
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The Name Jar
The Name Jar is another classic book, and one that should be read by every family at least once. A common problem for Asian immigrants, Unhei considers trading her “hard to pronounce” Korean name for something more familiar to the American Kids.
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A Day of Pride
Some books skirt around their social issues, but not A Day of Pride. Throughout the pages kids will be introduced to the same groups of people you’d see at an average day of pride – including a diverse array of families and ethnicities.
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The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
In a world where Hijab wearing has become controversial, this book is especially poignant. While it’s a fantastic read for Muslim families, it’s also an important message to other cultures about how important the Hijab is to those who wear it.
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This Is How We Do It
This fantastic book about diversity covers a day in the life of seven kids around the world. Kids can see how their daily activities like eating lunch or playing are both similar and different to others. The best part is that it’s based off real families, who are all shown at the end of the book.
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Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
Another beautiful book for your diverse story collection, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is about a young Asian girl discovering that her eyes look different from her peers. Through her family she learns of her own unique beauty, which includes celebrating her family’s heritage.
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The Family Book
Todd Parr’s books are all bright and unique, and this one is no exception. The Family Book is on the simpler side, making it perfect for younger children. Through colourful illustrations many different families are showcased, including ones that have two moms or two dads, multi-racial families, and other unique family dynamics.
Buy on AmazonYou might also like: The Witch Boy Book Review
Why Share Diverse Books With Kids?
Diverse books can introduce concepts to kids that they might encounter later in life, but haven’t experienced yet. You can also use them to normalize seeing different races or types of families. Finally, if you’re a diverse family yourself, you’ll get a chance to see your family represented in some of these stories.
These, and other books about diversity for kids, are a great way to start the discussion with your children around race, religion, queer issues, bullying, or cultural diversity
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