Reading is such an important part of childhood. Reading regularly not only increases vocabulary and comprehension, but it also empowers us to empathize with other people. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and in celebration of Black History Month, my family, co-contributors, and I are sharing 25 + of our favorite diverse children’s books with diverse heroes, heroines, and plots.
Infants & Toddlers
What is Light by Markette Sheppard
Baby Dance by Anne Taylor
I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Peter H Reynolds
Preschoolers
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison
Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Pirate Stew by Neil Gaiman
I am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
I Just Want To Say Good Night by Rachel Isadora
If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed by Denise Vega
The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by J. Ho
Dear Dragon by Josh Funk
Count on Me by by Miguel Tanco
Stella’s Stellar Hair by Yesenia Moises
Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin
The Camping Trip by Jennifer Mann
Grade Schoolers
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
I am Enough by Grace Byers
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Just Like Me By Vanessa Newton
Goodnight Lab by Chris Ferrie
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
G My Name is Girl by Dawn Masi
Catching the Moon by Crystal Hubbard
Tweens
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
Goldie Vance by Hope Larson
Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
New Kid by Jerry Craft
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson
