I’m the mom of two very different-looking children. My 5-year-old daughter has pale, porcelain skin, big blue eyes and straight blonde hair. My 1-year-old son is the color of espresso and boasts a Teeny Weeny Afro of tight, perfect ringlets.
As a transracial family in a predominantly white community, my children attract their fair share of questions and comments. I take very seriously the importance of educating and empowering my kids about their differences, helping them to recognize and celebrate what makes them unique and giving them the tools to deal with these situations as they grow. One of my favorite ways to create an open dialogue as we explore together is by reading children’s books that focus on diversity. Here are some of our favorites (and please visit my blog for reviews of more children’s titles that celebrate multiculturalism and adoption!):
1. All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka: This beautiful book has simple text and rich illustrations that celebrate children from all backgrounds and ethnicities, pointing out that love comes in many colors and forms.
2. Chocolate Me by Taye Diggs: I promise I’m not just recommending this book because it’s authored by Taye Diggs. The story of this boy who is teased for looking different because his skin is darker, hair is curlier and nose is bigger than his peers is actually an empowering story with a great message.
3. Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz
This fun book shares the word “peace” in many different languages from children all over the world. Each page features a child and scene from a different country, but the ending ties these children together by pointing out that no matter where children are from, they all want to go to school, play outside, share food with their families and feel safe.
4. It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr:
I adore Todd Parr books. With their childlike, colorful illustrations and repetitive text, I think they are perfectly perfect to read with little ones. In this book, Parr drives home the point that it’s okay to have different glasses, a different nose, be adopted or have different moms and dads because YOU are special and important for being you.
5. What I Like About Me by Allia Zobel-Nolan
Another book that honors differences, this book features children who celebrate their uniqueness — whether it’s because of their twisty hair or unibrow.
6. The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
This sweet story is told from the point-of-view of Lina, who tells of all the people she encounters in her day that represent a variety of colors and ethnicities. (CLICK HERE for a detailed summary and guest review of this book on my blog, Africa to America.)
What are your favorite books that celebrate diversity?