Why kids need multicultural books?

It's a lot of work for parents to be everything from a nurse to an Uber driver. As parents, we should be proud to show our kids what it means to be an advocate for those who aren't getting the attention they deserve.

There have been a lot of incidents in the last few years that have made people want better representation in clothing, work, and TV. People who aren't well-served and don't have a lot of money are finding their voices and fighting for their rights to be heard.

We can help the cause by raising kids who know that the world isn't just black and white, but has a lot of different colors, just like the people around them.

Several ways to do this.

One easy way is to read them books that show how different people are. People of different races should go to the library and borrow books that are on there. Make sure their little libraries at home are full of books that teach them how to be empathic, understand, and accept.

Books are very important as we move through this multi-faith and multi-ethnic world that we live in. We don't want to get lost in the sea of stereotypes.

If you want your kids to see the world from someone else's point of view or read stories about someone who looks like them, we've got you covered. We've put together a list of books that represent different races and books that tell your kids it's OK to be different.

Multicultural Books for Babies to Preschool

For kids ages 0 to 5, these are our favorite multicultural books.

Hats of Faith

Author: Medeia Cohan

Age range: 2 – 5 years

 

In this multicultural book for kids, it's easy to read but also clear. It's good for kids of all ages. The pictures are very bold and striking. They show people of different skin colors wearing headgear that is linked to their own religions. This children's book is very good at teaching kids how to identify external signs of faith so they don't have to be afraid of the unknown. People who are interested in learning more about the world can start by learning about mutual understanding. "Learning about each other makes it easier to be more understanding." This is a great quote from the book that sums up what this article is about. We can spread love and peace by being kind.

Shades of People

Author: Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly

Age range: 2 – 5 years

A great thing about this multicultural children's book is that it has pictures of real people in it. When kids look at pictures, they aren't just seeing things that might or might not look like real people. They are seeing real people who could be in their class, their neighbor, someone waiting at their pediatrician's office, or someone with their family at a restaurant. In this book, it talks about the different shades of humanity and even says that some families have different shades. With your kids, this is a great way to start a conversation about how different cultures are.

Lola at the Library

Author: Anna McQuinn

Age range: 2 – 5 years

This multicultural book for kids is not full of self-affirmation and stories about the past. When a little girl and her mother go to the library, they have a lot of fun. To help your child fall in love with reading and books, this is the book for you. A beautiful narration that makes you want to go to your local library and make the trip fun. They are soft and lovely, making you feel warm and cozy as you turn each page. There are a lot of Lola Reads books that follow book-loving Lola as she goes about her daily life. Lola at the Library is one of them. What's more, the books are also in Spanish.

Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes

Author: Roseanne Thong

Age range: 2 – 5 years

Learning about shapes and the Latino culture is fun in this book that is easy for kids to read. The illustrations are bright, and the poetic verses use math and Spanish words in them. Overall, this is a great book for young kids because it shows a lot of different people.

Multicultural Children’s Books for Early Elementary

Our favorite multicultural books for kids who are 4 to 8 years old.

All Are Welcome Here

Author: Alexandra Penfold

Age range: 4 – 8 years

Children will love this multicultural picture book because it has a text that rhymes and a lot of very different people in it. We are both similar and different in our physical appearance, heritage, cultural traditions, and even our favorite foods. Both the story and the illustration show these things. In fact, each page will make a child feel safe. "We're part of a group. Our strength is that we are different. A place to hide from bad things. Everyone is welcome here. This book is here.

The Story of Chinaman’s Hat

Author: Dean Howell

Age range: 5 – 8

If you've ever been to the island of O'ahu in Hawaii, you're sure to have seen the Chinaman's Hat. This multicultural book tells a story about how Chinaman's Hat came to be. It has two different cultures and a story that changes the Hawaiian islands forever.

Drum Dream Girl

Author: Margarita Engle

Age range: 4 – 8 years

This wonderful book is based on a true story about a little girl who is multi-racial and wants to be a doctor. It's set in Cuba and tells the story of how she fights against society's rules and wants to be a doctor. The prose is beautiful, and the picture is appealing. I think it's a great book for young girls who want to keep dreaming and reach for the impossible.

Thank You, Omu!

Author: Oge Mora

Age range: 4 – 7 years

This is a wonderful story about kindness, generosity, and gratitude. The author's Nigerian roots are shown in the evocative illustrations and the well-written story reminded me of folklore. An inspiring story about how a simple act, like giving each other stew, can help build community and spread the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself.

Yasmin in Charge

Author: Saadia Faruqi

Age range: 5 – 8 years

It's one of our favorite multicultural books for kids. Four stories are in this easy-to-read chapter book about a Pakistani girl named Yasmin and how she takes charge and thinks outside the box to solve problems. She thinks quickly and is very clever. Her adventures show off Pakistani culture with Urdu words and traditional dishes in every chapter.

Fish for Jimmy

Author: Katie Yamasaki

Age range: 6 – 9 years

People of Japanese descent were sent to internment camps in the United States during a dark time in the country's history. This story takes people back to that time. Readers are also inspired by Jimmy's brother Taro, who reminds us of love, courage, and what family is all about even when things go wrong. This children's book is both a motivational story and a reminder not to let history repeat itself. The colorful illustrations make it easy for people to read.

Multicultural Children’s Books for Older Elementary

People who are 9 to 12 years old will find this list of multicultural books interesting.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

Author: Laurie Ann Thompson

Age range: 4 – 8 years

This multicultural kids book is based on a true story about a Ghanaian and a person with a disability who show the world that anyone can do anything. This is a powerful and inspirational story about courage and strength. A must-read for any child.

Ghost

Author: Jason Reynolds

Age range: 10 and up

Another inspirational story that was also very moving. A beautiful piece of writing with relatable dialogue and characters makes it even better. With a great plot and great character development, this book is real and interesting. Really, this is a great book for kids who are older. Running away from who you are doesn't work. You can run toward who you want to be.

Esperanza Rising

Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan

Age range: 8+

This is one of our favorite multicultural children's books for kids who are old enough to read on their own. I came to this country and had a hard time adapting to the culture. I had to work very hard, be patient, and have hope. Her father died, and she had to flee her home country of Mexico and start a new life in a new country and with a new culture and money. The author weaves together Spanish words and real events from her grandmother's life to make a story that talks about Mexico, the Great Depression, and the plight of Mexican-American workers, child labor, labor strikes, and discrimination, among other things.

Africa Is My Home, A Child of the Amistad

Author: Monica Edinger

Age range: 10 +

This book is heartbreaking and enthralling at the same time. It's told from the point of view of 9-year-old Magulu. As Magulu is taken away from her home, she experiences enslavement, the American slave trade, and other hardships. The book has beautiful illustrations on each page that help the reader visualize what Magulu is going through. When talking about slavery, this multicultural children's book is a must-read. It's both informative and child-friendly.

The Skin I’m In

Author: Sharon Flake

Age range: 12+

People bully a girl because of her dark skin in this book, but she learns to speak up. Realistic and relatable: It's about bullying, self-esteem, how to fit in and be yourself, and how to stand up for yourself, as well as how to love yourself. "To like what you see in the mirror, even if it doesn't look like what you think is beautiful."

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