A few years ago, I shared our collection of books for kids about diversity and kindness. These books help foster an appreciation of acceptance and inclusion of others. Since then, friends and family have recommended books about diversity that they love too, and our collection has grown.
I'm all about reading books to my kids that will help teach (and reinforce) different ideas or help them see different perspectives and be compassionate toward others. These stories cover a wide variety of sensitive topics and show us how we can be proud of who we are and the diversity around us.
Books for Kids about Diversity and Kindness
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
Age range: 3-8
A beautifully illustrated story that made me tear up when reading it to my children. It follows the story of a young girl who wishes for her dark skin to be lighter. The story is ultimately about colorism and learning to love oneself, no matter one's skin tone. I saw this in the store one Fall and regretted not buying it immediately. I hunted it down for a few weeks and got it for my kids one Christmas.
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Age range: 4-8
This is a sweet story about two sisters loving their culture and overcoming prejudice. This book shows the hijab as something kind of magical and empowers and celebrates a rite of passage for Muslim girls.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrome
Age range: 3-7
Another beautifully illustrated story told from the point of view of a young girl about the North American indigenous battles to protect our water. A call to action and celebration of culture. Written and illustrated by indigenous book creators!
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Age range: 5-8
When the new girl from Korea moves to America, nobody can pronounce her name. Her classmates fill a jar full of suggestions for her to choose a name from. This book is about friendship and it really highlights the Asian culture and the power behind a name.
The Wall in the Middle of the Book by John Agee
Age range: 4-8
The contemporary relative to the Monster at the End of the Book, the knight is sure the wall keeps him safe from the horrible "other side" of the book. Or does it? As the water (and danger) rises on his side of the book, without him noticing, the other side comes to his rescue. Kids learn that sometimes "the other side" isn't as bad as we thought.
Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian
Age range: 3-5
Worm meets worm, they fall in love and decide to get married! All their friends are curious about who will wear the dress and who will wear the tuxedo. But, in the end, it doesn't matter because they love each other!
You may also like our collection of LGBTQIA+ Books for Kids and Teens.
All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph
Age range: 5-7
This story follows Zane the zebra as he learns that all his stripes- his caring stripe, his curiosity stripe, and his autism stripe, are what make him special and unique. Learn to embrace the differences of those around us and all their beautiful stripes with this quirky and sweet book.
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton
Age range: 4-8
These are the stories of 13 women who would not take no for an answer. Even when they had to fight to be heard, these tiny feminists changed the world with their ideas and bravery. This book is the perfect reminder for those who were told to sit down or move out of the way. Featuring stories of Ruby Bridges, Helen Keller, Sally Ride, and many more who overcame obstacles to show the world what they are made of.
The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart
Age range: 3-6
If you're like me, you're wondering what a purple person is. A purple person is one who brings their community together with kindness and uses their voice to speak up for what is right. In the light of the divided political parties, purple people blend red and blue together to help people become purple and encourage kids to look for similarities rather than differences. A sweet but simple sentiment and a good reminder for adults too.
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
Age range: 2-6
A young Black boy and his Grandmother take a ride on public transportation and he wonders why they always get off at the dirty part of town and why they don't own a car of their own. His grandmother helps him find the beauty all around him. This is a good story of humanity and how to help people who in need.
Butterflies Belong Here: A Story of One Idea, Thirty Kids, and a World of Butterflies by Deborah Hopkinson
Age range: 5-10
This is a moving and beautiful story of a girl who recently immigrated to the United States and feels a little out of place, like a quiet little caterpillar. She makes a poster about monarchs, who followed the same migration path that she did. Soon she and her classmates make a garden for the traveling butterflies. This story is about building your community and the small changes you can make, that make a big difference.
Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Simma
Age range: 3-6
Kelp has always felt different than the narwhals in his family. When he discovers another mysterious creature like him, he finds a way to have the best of both worlds. A beautifully illustrated book about family, fitting in, and standing out! We love the underlying theme of the all-encompassing love and acceptance of family.
We Are All Born Free Mini Edition: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures by Amnesty International
Age range: 6-10
After World War II, in 1948, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed and declared to protect all people from all countries. This book covers all 30 articles, written and illustrated with children in mind. This book brings these concepts to life, but at a child's level - that we all have the right to live, freely and safely.
Noodlelephant by Jakob Kramer
Age range: 3-8
"Famous for her pasta parties, Noodlephant is shocked when the law-loving kangaroos decide noodles are only for them!" This is a great book about social injustice as Noodlephant pushes back against this unjust law. She and her friends invent a machine that turns ordinary items into pasta, like pens into penne, and so on. It will get kids thinking about bullies, exclusion, and the power of the community standing up to injustice.
Hello, My Name is Octicorn by Kevin Diller
Age range: 3-7
Octicorn is a sweet character who is half octopus, half unicorn but totally loveable. He feels left out, like he doesn't fit in on land or at sea, and in this book he starts naming off the unique qualities that make him someone who should be appreciated. This is a clever book about differences that is told in a silly way.
The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss
Age range: 3-10
A beloved classic about prejudice and discrimination. The Sneetches wear stars on their bellies and think they are special, and the ones without feel lesser than them. A scammer comes in and starts selling stars to the other ones that don't have them. He makes a profit out of prejudice, proving that always trying to be different or better, can be costly.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho
Age range: 2-6
A lyrical book about a girl who notices her eyes are different than those of her peers. She draws strength from the generations of powerful women in her life, as she learns to recognize and embrace her own unique beauty.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Age range: 2-7
Zuri has beautiful hair, but it is full of tight coils and sometimes goes in every which way. When Mommy fixes her hair she feels beautiful, but with Mommy out of town, Daddy has to step in. This book is an ode to self-confidence and a celebration of the love between fathers and daughters.
I am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde
Age range: 3-7
This book is an easy read about what being human means. That it's okay to make mistakes and the power that our choices have. The main character explores how everyone feels different emotions, even sadness or anger, and how you can making different choices can turn things around. I love this illustrator as well, we have several of his books.
Age range: 3-7
A powerful, picture-only book about how a small act of kindness against bullying can lead to a community joining in. When a fellow student sees Vanessa getting bullied she decides she wants to walk with her to school each morning. This book is a good reminder that sometimes just showing up and showing kindness is all that is needed to make a change.
Mama The Alien by René Colato Laínez
Age range: 6-10
Sophia finds her mother's resident Alien card in her purse one day and decides that her mother must be from outer space. She heads to the library to do some research but her mother doesn't look anything like the aliens in the books, with their big eyes and blue-green skin, so how could she be an alien? Through this great introduction to immigration and citizenship, Sophia learns that her mother is getting ready for her citizenship ceremony and that the word alien can also mean someone from a different country.
Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger: Social Emotional Book for Kids about Diversity and Kindness by Elizabeth Cole
Age range: 3-8
No matter your skin color, nationality, religion, or what you dream of becoming, this book shows kids that diversity makes us stronger. Nick gets new glasses but is afraid to wear them. There are a lot of different examples of diversity and reminders that it's okay to be who you are throughout this book.
The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates
Age range: 3-7
When it starts to rain there is a big umbrella by the door with room for everyone underneath it.
The umbrella is big and friendly and helpful and doesn't care what you look like, it welcomes them all. With a more subtle theme that includes kindness and hospitality, you learn that there is always room for others.
Mixed: A Colorful Story by Aree Chung
Age range: 2-5
In the beginning, there were 3 colors, blue, red, and yellow and they all lived in harmony. Until, Red decides that "reds are best", and that starts a whole disagreement. The colors separate and live in their respective parts of town. One day Yellow and Blue fall in love and have a daughter named Green, she is a mixed color and unlike anyone else! Soon more and more colors begin to mix. This book has great use of symbolism to promote thoughts of acceptance and inclusivity.
Age range: 4-10
The chickens are comfortable, safe, and secure in their coop, each one doing what they should be doing. One day a bunch of on-the-run capybaras appear. It's hunting season and they are looking for refuge in the chicken coop, but they don't follow the rules. This book shows how friendship can form in even the most unlikely places and teaches compassion and acceptance, as the chickens learn that including the capybaras in their community will only make it better.
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
Age range: 2-6
Today is Pet Club day, except no elephants are allowed. A tiny boy with his big pet elephant comes up with an idea to team up with others who are banned from Pet Club to make their own club where everyone is welcome. A sweet story about friendship, kindness, and acceptance.
Age range: 5-12
Sometimes we have to do things that scare us, and sometimes we walk into a room and nobody is like us. This book helps reinforce the positive message that it's okay to be different from others. The message of empowerment came from the author's award-winning memoir Brown Girl Dreaming and reminds kids that it is okay to tell their own unique story.
My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart
Age range: 3-7
This book is great on many different levels. It teaches kids that it is okay to love your true self. It touches on gender identity and self-acceptance and how to support others to let their inner self shine. While helping break outdated gender stereotypes, it reminds us that small acts of kindness can go a long way.
For more books like this, check out our LGBTQIA+ Books for Kids and Teens.
Age range: 3-7
Based on the real-life story of two friends. One liked hummus sandwiches, and the other liked peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They both thought the other sandwich looked gross, but this story is a reminder that we sometimes judge things too early, and sometimes trying new things can lead to positive experiences. Embracing cultural sensitivity and finding similarities even among the differences.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
Age range: 2-6
This book is aimed towards kids but also has a lot of messaging for adults - Native American History as well as a fry bread recipe in the back. This story is about fry bread - how it brings people together and keeps them connected to their culture. It talks about the cultural importance of food and also shows the diversity between different Native groups.
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You Hardcover by Sonia Sotomayor
Age range: 4-10
Just as a garden with lots of different flowers makes it more beautiful, the same is true with people, all our differences make our world beautiful. Written by a Supreme Court Justice, this story embraces all our differences and encourages us to look at them as special powers. She talks about many different disabilities like tourettes, diabetes, ADHD, being blind, wheelchair-bound, and so on. She reminds us to be curious and learn about the person, differences and all. A good introduction for kids to people who are different than them.
Laxmi's Mooch by Shelly Anand
Age range: 4-8
A beautiful body-positive book for kids about a Native American girl who gets teased about the little hairs on her upper lip. Her parents teach her that hair is all over, no matter what your gender. Laxmi is proud of who she is and she helps teach that beauty standards are different all around the world.
Cake Mix: Learning to Love All Your Ingredients by Mikki Hernandez
Age range: 5-8
When Remy's classmates ask, "what are you?" she goes on a journey learning about cultures and loving her identity. She learns about different ethnicities and celebrates them with her class. An inspirational story of self-acceptance for those who don't fit a certain "mold".
Boxitects by Kim Smith
Age range: 3-7
Meg loves to build things out of boxes that impress her teacher and classmates. One day she gets a new classmate who also builds things out of boxes. She doesn't want this new girl to change everything. The girls are paired together for an annual Maker Match, but all they do is argue. They have to find a way to be a team and work together. A creative STEAM-centered book about acceptance and teamwork.
Masterpiece by Alexandra Hoffman
Age range: 4-10
This is an inclusive book about celebrating a child on the autism spectrum. When the class has to create an art piece, it becomes apparent that Samuel has a special way of looking at the world around him, and his teacher praises his masterpiece. Through his art, his classmates learn about acceptance, inclusion, and empathy. We love that the illustrations show a child wearing noise-canceling headphones, too!
Have you read any of these books? Do you have any suggestions or any favorites?
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