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Diverse Children's Literature



This has taken me much longer than I anticipated to get a book list together from my libraries' archives, type out, and fill out with links. The links are primarily from Massy Books, an Indigenous-owned bookstore in Vancouver, BC, but when they couldn't be found there they are on amazon. 

I didn't give any descriptions of these books because you can click on them to know more, and there are  so many listed. Each and every one of these picture books and young adult (YA)  books,  have been read by my family. Yes, some of them are about political figures or events during the civil rights, but most are about black or people of color who have done amazing things: art, science, inventions, history makers or  fiction books with diverse characters. 

 With the Black Lives Matter movement happening right now in the US, I thought I'd share some that stood out to us in the past two years of our reading. Diverse books are important in any home, and every single one of these we were able to check out at the library. Look them up, read them to your kids or family members, and celebrate these joyful, funny, and unique stories! 

If you have recommendations you don't see here, please leave the title and author in the comments. 



Boonoonoonous Hair by Olive Senior 




Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker 


The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson 




Dear President Obama by Bruce Kluger 


When's My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano 


When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner  


Anna Hibiscus series and picture book by Atinuke 






The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles 


Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora 


We March by Shane W Evans 


Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford 


Crossing Bok Chitto by Tim Tingle  (Indigenous)


The Vanderbeekers of 141st St by Karina Yan Glaser (YA)


Chains (The Seeds of America) by Laurie Halse Anderson (YA)


Crossover by Kwame Alexander (YA), Poetry, Series








Nina by Alice Briere Haquet 







Crazy Horse's Vision by National Geo Learning (Indigenous)




Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin  


The Golden Girls of Rio by Nikkolas Smith  


Summer Jackson Grown Up by Teresa Harris 






Trailblazers Simone Biles  by  Sally J Morgan 






Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford








Paiute Princess: The Story of Sarah  Winnemucca  by Deborah Kogan Ray (Indigenous)


Leontyne Price: Voice of A Century by Carole Boston Weatherford 










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