“To counter racist socialization and racial bias, experts recommend acknowledging and naming race and racism with children as early as and as often as possible. Children’s books are one of the most practical tools for initiating these critical conversations, and can also be used to model what it means to resist and dismantle oppression.” – @theconsciouskid

Shared a post on social media today featuring a *small* collection of diverse books to add to your little’s library. Check below for bookish details and links to this reads. Along with this post, I also urged families to consider the publishers who are publishing these books, and the stance they are taking in support of Black Lives Matter. Major Publishing Industry control the vast majority of media and literature that children are exposed to, and that families can choose from. Who should we trust to publish inclusive and diverse literature for our children? Some publishing companies who have taken a direct stand in support of Black Lives on their platforms: @penguinkids, @Randomehousekids, @simonkids, @scribblekids, @workmanpub @mangoandmarigoldpress @mackidsbooks

Shop this Recommended Reading List Here

Featuring

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

This is a story about family~ about resilience, grit, and hope in the face of uncertainty and vulnerability. It is about home~ about finding a safe harbor of refuge and love in a new place that is foreign, daunting, and at times -unwelcoming-. *Dreamers* is a poetic, colorful portrait of migrantes~ refugees and immigrants who, although may be forced to leave behind everything they own in search of a better place to live, never leave their homeland empty handed. Instead of material possessions, they bear gifts of passion, strength, determination, and deep bonds of love that give them the courage to find and create a new home. This tale follows the journey of a mama and her young child as they leave their home, becoming caminantes, walking endless miles to reach a new place where the language is “different than that of our ancestors,” and the landscape and community are guarded and recluse. It is through the public library and books that the little family finds their voice in this strange, new land~ and when you find your voice~ you can share your dreams with the world. Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Books.

Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Illustrated by Ebony Glenn

A young Muslim girl spends the day, donning her mother’s colorful headscarfs~ finding joy in her mother’s scent, feeling as beautiful as her mama all dressed up, and feeling her mother’s love with every scarf she tries on. Colorful, charming, and vibrant illustrations highlight the beauty, love, and diversity of a welcoming community that our young Muslim American protagonist is raised in. Also, this read portrays a mixed-religion family, showing readers that family members can have different beliefs, but love each other just as big.

The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan, Illustrated by Tom Knight

Have you ever heard of the saying *Two is company, 3’s a crowd?* Well, it means what it kinda sounds like, 2 people together  are enjoying eachother’s company, but if you add another person ~and now there are three of you~ it can feel like someone is taking up too much space,or disrupting the balance the pair of you have established. For the little girl in this book, the prime-sleep-time location is *right * next to Mama, in *the Big Bed.* But first, she needs to convince Daddy that he doesn’t belong on *the Big Bed*~ after all, she and mama make perfet company on the bed, but if you * plus daddy* that equals= way too crowded! Good thing this little girl has done her research and has her whole proposal lined up and ready to go! Let Operation *Get the Big Bed Back* begin! Find out how our young character uses creative thinking, planning, and innovation to persuade her Daddy that the Big Bed is off limits. Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Book.

What If… by Samantha Berger, Illustrated by Mike Curato

*~We are all dreamers, artists, and creators~* We all have imaginations to reach beyond what’s right in front of us~ to see the world through our own unique lens. We can all grab a pencil and paper and create a realm of possibilities~ but… *what if* one day there were no pencils and papers? Does the creating stop? Is imagination halted in its tracks? Never fear~ this little girl in our story is determined that no matter what *as long as she lives she will always create.* So that means, no paper and pencil? No worries, use the wood from your table and chair instead. No table or chair? Use the paint off the wall paper. No walls…? Use the Earth around you~ your body~ your voice ~ your mind~* Everything around us has the potential for innovation. It is up to you to believe in yourself~ and your power to create. Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Book.

Fresh Princess by Denene Millner, Illustrated by Gladys Jose

Destiny id the *Fresh Princess*~ a cool, energetic, and strong-willed young girl who approaches every day with her own signature style! That is, until she Modesto a brand-new neighborhood, but even with new challenges and new friends to make, Destiny always has a plan. With a few reminders from her loving family and after remembering what being the Fresh Princess if all about, she may just take the leap and jump right in!

Where are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez, Illustrated by Jaime Kim

This is a beautiful picture book about a little girl who gets asked a simple question that doesn’t have a simple answer. *Where are You From?* Explore self-acceptance, identity, and the meaning of home with this powerful, lyrical picture book that resonates with all readers from all backgrounds~ especially anyone who ever felt that they don’t belong. Children need to be able to see themselves in stories – to imagine that they too belong in the pages of literature- that they have a place in the realms of fiction, fantasy, and history. Children’s illustrated books provide a strong gateway to helping little ones make that connection to character~ the pictures present them with a clear visual image of a character they can relate to~ at least that is a goal. This read is a must-have addition to your bookshelves.

The Journey by Francesca Sanna

When *home* is no longer safe~ when danger and violence disrupt and change a family forever~ the only option – the *responsible* option, is to keep the children safe and flee. When your own country can no longer be *home,* it’s up to families to find a new country, a safe place to call home. This story explores one family’s escape from the dangers of their own homeland, and the journey and perils they endure together as search for safety. From hiding in the backs of fruit trucks and carts, escaping from guards, smuggling across the border, and crossing waters on tipping ferries, this family leaves more and more behind the farther they travel. However, they still have each other, and as they search for their new home, *each other* is what gives them the hope and courage to journey on. Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Book.

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

It’s the first day of Kindergarten~ and our little king wakes up to the sun trumpeting its rays through his bedroom window, a tall stack of pancakes swimming in syrup on the table, and a royal yellow carriage awaiting him outside the door to take him to the grand fortress~ *school.* The confident little hero is ready to conquer the day~ and though there may be many new people and things to learn~ he is up for any challenges! Follow him through a jam-packed first day of school, for a sneak peek at the wonders of learning. The best part of school…? You get to wake up and start a whole new day of fun again and again! Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Book.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

Written and illustrated by one of my favorite illustrators, Vashti Harrison, this is a brilliant collection of forty trailblazing black women in American history. Each women’s story is pried with a beautiful illustration that brings these women’s incredible accomplishments to life. Readers will learn of abolitionist Sojourner Truth, chemist Alice Ball, filmmaker Julie Dash, mathematician Katherine Johnson, and many other inspiring figures. The women recognized on these pages all took a stand and worked to make a difference in a world that didn’t always accept them.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, Illustrated by Laura Freeman

This book tells the story of the extraordinary lives of the four African American women who helped NASA launch the first men into space. Their names: Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden. And they were all really, very good at math. Working during a time when black women were looked down on in the workforce (times that haven’t changed much to this day), these women provided the calculations for American’s first journey’s into space. These four women, known as “colored computers” overcame racial and gender barriers to help NASA accomplish some of its greatest successes.

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon, Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

This lyrical story shares an uplifting celebration of brown bodies. Our young narrator poetically compares her brown features to the ambers and brown hues found in nature. Through her activities, hair styles, moods, and exclamations, readers hear her pride in feeling at home in her skin, and marvel at gorgeous illustrations depicting our connections to the plenitude of nature and natural beauty that surrounds us. A love letter to brown skin, this one deserves to be read over and over again.

The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds

Meet Jerome, a little boy with the biggest love for words~ a love so big that he’ll have to share it with the world, because no gift is more meaningful ~ or  powerful, than the gift of words. Big words, little words, -words you see, and words you hear – simple and sweet words, two-syllable words – there’s a seemingly infinite list of words Jerome could add to his word collection. Every word Jerome finds fits snuggly into his sorted books of words ~ his fascination with words depicted by the towers of books filled with his collections. One day while carrying his collection, Jerome trips and send his words scattering across the pavement, mixing together in colorful, creative combinations. The jumbled mixtures inspire Jerome to string together his words into poems and songs that work to uplift and delight listeners. And one breezy day, this little boy will bestow upon the children of the land, one of the grandest gifts of all~Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Book.

Love by Matt de le Pena, Illustrated by Loren Long

From the moment you are born~ you have *love* in your life. From the sound of the melodic voices~ whispering above your cradle ~ to the music tinkling from the bouncy taxi ride ~ to the stars shining in dark night sky  ~ to the raindrops and puddles that follow your footsteps as you set off on your own life journey ~ *You are surrounded by love.* Just as you will always love, you will always be loved. And even when the world may seem frightening, and anger and fear crowd out any other feelings ~ Keep your heart open, love will find its way to you. Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Book.

We Came to America by Faith Ringgold

This book is an ode to every American who came before us~ from the Native Americans to some this land belongs to, to our ancestors who came in chains, or who were escaping poverty, war, or persecution. America is a country rich in diversity. This book celebrates that no matter what brought people to our country, each person has a unique gift to offer to our nation’s future.

I am Brown by Ashok Banker, Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

What a colorful, bright, and joyful representation of children of color! This is a sweet collection of identities, an ode to diverse representation, and a celebration of cultural differences. Illustrated by one of my new favorite illustrators, Sandhya Prabhat, the full spread pictures are bursts of vibrant color, encapturing lively scenes of children playing, learning, living, growing, and loving. Each page is filled with detail and life, highlighting each figure’s unique disposition~ helping littles environs themselves as one of the *unique* characters on the page. This is a book that truly celebrates *you* and encourages littles to truly believe that you are amazing just for being you!

A Story About Afiya by James Berry, Illustrated by Anna Cunha

In this tender pome-storybook, Afiya has a *special* dress that records the memories of her childhood. From towering rainbow boulders polka-dotting her dress, to finding herself “covered with windswept leaves of October, falling,” Afiya is *amazed* every time she looks down at her frock. This beautiful celebration of nature’s beauty and the impact small wonders can have on our childhood is brought to us by the late Loretta Scott King BookAward Winning Jamaican poet James Berry, and illustrated by Anna Cunha. You will be swept away by int a mystical haze of muted tones and soft palettes!

Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Book.

Islandborn by Junot Diaz, Illustrated by Leo Espinosa

At little Lola’s school, every child is from a faraway place~ home to them is a different county~ they are a class of immigrant children. So when Lola’s teacher announces the next assignment~ to draw a picture of where their family is from~ all the students are thrilled…except for Lola, who left her Island home when she was just a baby,  too young to have any of her own memories about the Island. But, with the help of her neighborhood community of family and friends, all of whom are from the island and share their memories and tell their stories to Lola, Lola will soon find her imagination whisking her back to her Island. Through an intertwining of memories and imagination, Lola will discover that even if she may not remember her Island, the *Island is me!* and she will always carry a part of her homeland with her. Through her family and friends’ memories, she has found a way to connect with her past and embrace a home she may not clearly remember, but loves all the same. Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Book.

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, Illustrated by Stasia Burrington

Be prepared to reach for the stars through this week’s featured storybook: *Mae Among the Stars*. This  inspirational nonfiction biography explores the childhood of Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American female astronaut. Little Mae’s dream is to see Earth~ but not from the view out her window or from stepping outside her front door~ she wants to see Earth from way out there~ from *space.* As little Mae continues to dream big, researching and exploring her passions to become an astronaut, her parents are there to support her every step of the way, offering words of encouragement ~ letting Little Mae know that is she can dream it, believe in it, and work hard for it~ anything is possible! Watch MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud of this Book.

Welcome to the Party by Gabrielle Union, Illustrated by Ashley Evans

The perfect read for celebrating your tiniest guest of honor, and welcoming them to the party that is life! The party begins with baby rolls down the red carpet, greeting your enthusiastic guests exploring your new snuggle spot, and wiggling to the music. And even after the guests go home and the balloons all pop~ the party is never over and the love never stops. Told with sweet rhyme and adorable illustrations, this is a festive, universal love letter from any parent or adult to their most beloved little ones. 

Yo Soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter by Mark Gonzales, Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Written by Mark Gonzales, Latino and Muslim poet, this lyrical story is a written as a letter from a father to a daughter, urging her to embrace and to find pride and joy in her multicultural identity. Each line of this letter is brought to life with vivid and elegant illustrations that bring to life and highlight the diversity of the Muslim and Indigenous community. This is a story of love, hope, resilience, and pride.

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Continue to read, listen, learn, show up, and speak up.

You can find more diverse reads on the blog, or follow me @maistorybooklibrary.

Reach out and share your own favorite diverse reads, so that together we can build libraries to help raise anti-racist, inclusive, and compassionate littles.

Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary, Twitter @MaiStoryBook  – post on FaceBook – or contact me via email to share your own reading recs. *

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*