Diverse Books for our NCCS Community: Books for Early Childhood

Life can be hard for the only brown girl in a classroom full of white students. When the teacher talks about slavery, she can feel all of her classmates staring at her. When they talk about civil rights, she is the one that other kids whisper about on the playground. In those moments, she wants to slip away or seep into the ground; and she wonders, is that all you see when you look at me?
What really matters is what she sees when she looks at herself. She is a reflection of the courage, strength, intelligence and creativity that's been passed down from generation to generation through her ancestors.
Inspired by her daughter's experience in school as well as her own, Adrea Theodore's debut picture book is a powerful testament to the past as well as a benediction for the future. Grades K-5.

Bilal and his father invite his friends to help make his favorite dish, daal, then all must wait patiently for it to be done. Grade Pre-S - 2 (Lexile 520).

Empower young readers to embrace their individuality, reject societal limitations, and follow their dreams. This inspiring picture book brings together a poem by acclaimed author Angela Johnson and Nina Crews's distinctive photo collage illustrations to celebrate girls of color. Grade Pre-S - 2 (Lexile 620).

A child reflects on the meaning of being Black in this anthem about a people, a culture, a history, and a legacy that lives on. Grade K - 3.

Kanzi's family has moved from Egypt to America, and on her first day in a new school, what she wants more than anything is to fit in. Maybe that's why she forgets to take the kofta sandwich her mother has made for her lunch, but that backfires when Mama shows up at school with the sandwich. Mama wears a hijab and calls her daughter Habibti (dear one). When she leaves, the teasing starts. Grade K - 2 (Lexile 710).

This triumphant picture book recasts a charged phrase as part of a black girl's everyday life--hands up for a hug, hands up in class, hands up for a high five--before culminating in a moment of resistance at a protest march. Grade Pre-S - 3 (Lexile 360).

When Max starts school, the teacher hesitates to call out the name on the attendance sheet. Something doesn't seem to fit. Max lets her know the name he wants to be called by--a boy's name. This begins Max's journey as he makes new friends and reveals his feelings about his identity to his parents. Written with warmth and sensitivity by trans writer Kyle Lukoff, this book is a sweet and age-appropriate introduction to what it means to be transgender. Grade K - 2.

The festival of lights is here--time to celebrate the new year! Grade Pre-S - 2.

For a little girl on a rainy day, the best place to be is with Mama. Grade Pre-S - 2.

When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens. Illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Santat, this stirring picture book is about reaching across barriers. Grade Pre-S - 2 (Lexile 310).

Celebrates the feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hair. Grade K-3 (Lexile 700).

Illustrations and easy-to-read text pay homage to the strength, character, and worth of a child. Grade Pre-S - 3.

Shares a story of loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another.
Grades K - 4.

When winter comes, Mommy makes a soft bed for Little Snow to sleep on, but each night he cannot resist jumping on the bed, causing tiny feathers to fly down. Grade Pre-S - 2.

Faizah relates how she feels on the first day her sister, sixth-grader Asiya, wears a hijab to school. Grade K - 4 (Lexile 500).

When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she's always known. She also sees a community that is rapidly changing around her. Grade K - 3 (Lexile 750).

Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself but later, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider. Grade K - 2 (Lexile 980).

Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. Grade Pre-S - 3.

When a child has a "bad speech day" at school, his father gives him a new perspective on his stuttering. Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award 2021.
Grades PreK - 3.

How did Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela end up with such a long name? As Daddy tells the story of her many names, Alma can almost feel herself grow into them. Grade Pre-S - 2 (Lexile 490).

Told in powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative story about family, history, culture, and traditions, new and old, illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Juana Martinez-Neal. Grade Pre-S - 2.

When a young girl moves from the country to a small town, she feels lonely and out of place. But soon she meets an elderly woman next door, who shares her love of [nature and art]. Can the girl navigate the changing seasons and failing health of her new friend? Grade K - 2 (Lexile 560).

Lola was just a baby when her family left the Island, so when she has to draw it for a school assignment, she asks her family, friends, and neighbors about their memories of her homeland...and in the process, comes up with a new way of understanding her own heritage. Grade K - 3 (Lexile 600).

Seven-year-old Lena and her mother observe the variations in the color of their friends' skin, viewed in terms of foods and things found in nature. Grade Pre-S - 2 (Lexile 570).

In this rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual, Lyon's eloquent text explores the power of family traditions. Stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor-winner Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multigenerational family. Grade 2-5 (Lexile 660).

Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby. Grade Pre-S - 3.

When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade. Grade Pre-S - 2 (Lexile 580).

No matter who you are or where you're from, everyone is welcome here. From grandmothers reading lines of the Qur'an and the imam telling stories of living as one, to meeting new friends and learning to help others, mosques are centers for friendship, community, and love.

M. O. Yuksel's beautiful text celebrates the joys and traditions found in every mosque around the world and is brought to life with stunning artwork by New York Times bestselling illustrator Hatem Aly (Yasmin series, The Proudest Blue, The Inquisitor's Tale). The book also includes backmatter with an author's note, a glossary, and more information about many historical and significant mosques around the world. Grades Pre-K - 3.

A student who uses a wheelchair finds a way to see her dog each day in school.
Grade Pre-S - 2 (Lexile 460).

From a Muslim and Latino poet comes a lyrical celebration of multiculturalism as a father shares with his daughter the value of their heritage and why it should be a source of pride, even when others disagree. Grade K - 3 (Lexile 520).

A young boy rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things. Grade K - 2 (Lexile 610).

A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self. Grade PreS - 3 (480 Lexile)

Maya Angelou's brave, defiant poem celebrates the courage within each of us, young and old. From the scary thought of panthers in the park to the unsettling scene of a new classroom, fearsome images are summoned and dispelled by the power of faith in ourselves.
Angelou's strong words are matched by the daring vision of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose childlike style reveals the powerful emotions and fanciful imaginings of childhood. Together, Angelou's words and Basquiat's paintings create a place where every child, indeed every person, may experience his or her own fearlessness.
This brilliant introduction to poetry and contemporary art features brief biographies of Angelou and Basquiat and an afterword from the editor. A selected bibliography of Angelou's books and a selected museum listing of Basquiat's works open the door to further inspiration through the fine arts. Grades PreK - 3.

Immigrating to America, a young girl navigates between her family's Bengali traditions and her new country's culture

Marisol McDonald, a biracial, nonconformist, soccer-playing pirate-princess with brown skin and red hair, celebrates her uniqueness. Grade Pre-S - 2 (Lexile 580).

A young African-American girl describes the different, wonderful ways she can wear her hair. Grade Pre-S - 3 (Lexile 840).

When the aroma of Omu's homemade stew fills the air, her neighbors arrive, one by one, for a taste until all is gone except for her generous spirit. Debut author-illustrator Mora brings to life a heartwarming story of sharing and community in colorful cut-paper designs. Grade Pre-S - 2 (Lexile 630).

When all of their special Saturday plans go awry, Ava and her mother still find a way to appreciate one another and their time together. Grade Pre-S - 2.

A retelling, set in Africa, of the story of twelve princesses who dance secretly all night long and how their secret is eventually discovered. Grade K - 3 (Lexile 860),

Now that she's ten, Lailah's delighted that she can fast during the month of Ramadan like her family and her friends in Abu Dhabi, but finding a way to explain to her teacher and classmates in Atlanta is a challenge until she gets some good advice from the librarian, Mrs. Carman. Grade K - 3 (Lexile 590).

Blaine loves to shine and "sparkle". Whether it's his uniform, book bag, or baseball cap, he's all about the bling. But when his passion for bling leads to bullying, Blaine (and the school) loses his shine. Can Blaine's friends bring it back by glittering up themselves? This delightful story proves that anyone can love bling, and that happiness comes when allies band together to throw glitter--not shade. Grade K - 2.

Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother insists that she take her little sister along. Not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do? Grade K - 4 (Lexile 490).

Told by a succession of exuberant young narrators, Magnificent Homespun Brown is a story -- a song, a poem, a celebration -- about feeling at home in one's own beloved skin. Samara Cole Doyon's joyful book contains multitudes. Grade Pre-S - 3 (Lexile 1100).

A young boy notices the many different shades of human skin and points out that skin is just a covering that does not reveal what someone is like inside. Grade Pre-S - 1 (Lexile 440).

A group of children with different abilities and strengths come together to build a community garden. Grade Pre-S - 2.

Harpreet Singh has a different color for every mood and occasion, from happy sunny yellow to courageous red. He especially takes care with his patka --his turban--making sure it always matches his outfit. But when Harpreet's mom finds a new job in a snowy city and they have to move, everything just feels gray. Can he find a way to make life bright again? Grade K - 2 (Lexile 530).

The word "otsaliheliga" (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This picture book chronicles a full year of Cherokee celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, the book includes a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah. Grade K - 3 (Lexile 970).

After Unhei moves from Korea to the United States, her new classmates help her decide what her name should be. Grade K-2 (Lexile 590).

"Stuck inside one wet afternoon, a group of friends are bored and miserable--until a pink glow leads them to discover a mysterious treasure chest and everything changes! Grey is for rainy days, but PINK is for all kinds of fun -- bows and buttons, yes, but also aliens and astronauts, dancers and dragons! In a parade of exuberance that celebrates all things pink, one surly fur ball stands out--and ultimately teaches the kids a valuable lesson in embracing what you love no matter who you are, while respecting the preferences of everybody around you. Skillfully employing inclusive, gender-neutral language and paired with truly joyful illustrations that feature a diverse cast of characters, this is a sweet story of the simple joys of being a kid, not a gender"-

Sammy is having a very bad day at school and at home until his autistic brother, Benji, finds a way to make him feel better. A sensitive portrayal of how a child might relate to a sibling on the autism spectrum.