A child’s mind is delicate, sensitive and can be moulded like clay. At a tender age, words have a significant impact. If provided with good learning experiences, children will bloom into compassionate and empathetic individuals respecting and caring for one and all.
By reading books on diverse subjects that encompass different cultures, genders, and the numerous differences that exist in the world gives them the opportunity to think critically about their own beliefs and examine the world with different perspectives. Through reading, children can be educated about people and situations and diversity, thereby developing an inclusive mindset.
This is a specially curated list of ten books by Indian authors that address diversity and inclusion from Indian perspective and mindset.
- “What is a girl? What is a boy” by Kamla Bhasin; Publishers: Shtrii Shakti
The theme of this book is diversity, gender, patriarchy, and socially defined gender markers. The book talks about a sensitive social topic in a uniquely reassuring way. Children are naturally unbiased; they do not have the concept of individual differences. Society and cultural influences shape a child’s mind to discriminate between genders, castes, appearances, and races affecting both boys and girls.
Children will learn that everybody can realise their full potential, be it a boy or a girl, and no one should be stereotyped based on gender, caste, or creed. This book is appropriate for children aged 8-10 years.
- “How I taught my grandmother to read and other stories” by Sudha Murty; Publishers: Puffin
The theme of this value-oriented storybook is love, independence, determination, and happiness.
The story is about a grandmother who wants to learn to read at the age of sixty-two and become independent. She requests her 12-year-old granddaughter to teach her the alphabet. The story, penned in simple words, shows the bond and deep respect the granddaughter has for her grandmother.
Something unusual happens when the grandmother is able to read any novel confidently in a short span. Read on to find out more.
The story teaches children to be compassionate and love their grandparents. If one is determined, one can achieve anything at any age. The collection of other stories also imparts valuable moral lessons on empathy, the importance of doing what one believes in and pursuing one’s dreams. This is appropriate for children aged 5 -10 years.
- “Gulli’s Box of Things” by Anupama Ajinkya Apte; Publishers: Pratham Books
‘Every problem has a solution when we start viewing problems as possibilities.’
Hinged on above message for children, this picture book is primarily on problem-solving and value education. Gulli is a little boy who has a big box containing several valuable things, which he uses to fix anything, from grandpa’s broken glasses to grandmother’s needle, he helps everyone at home.
Children can learn to find solutions for all simple things, get to know age-related diverse challenges, and learn to respect elders, be compassionate, kind and helpful.
Pick this book for your children if they’re in the age group 3-8 years.
- “The Unboy Boy” by Richa Jha; Publishers: Snuggle with picture books
It is a picture book based on gender identity, self-esteem, and bravery. The story revolves around a boy named Gagan. He is a sensitive child and hates violence. He is made fun of by his grandfather and friends, but his mother understands his lovely and gentle side and is proud of him. Gagan proves everybody wrong by rescuing a group member’s cat from darkness, as he turns out to be the only one to be courageous despite being soft-hearted.
Children can learn to accept themselves and not fall a prey to gender stereotypes. Labels like ‘un-boy boy’ or ‘un-girl girl’ must never be used for children. And this book is ideal for children aged 5-8 years.
- “Pink and Blue” by Ritu Vaishnav; Publishers: Penguin, India
“Pink and Blue” is based on gender stereotypes. A mother converses about gender stereotypes with her child in a light-hearted playful way. The book uses daily situations in a child’s life to bring to the fore gender-based unreasonable views of people. The book beautifully conveys that children can be themselves, do anything and not stick to gender stereotypes. So, a boy can cry, and a girl can kick! This book also encourages children to question, think logically and not follow anything or anybody blindly.
This book is a good pick for children aged 3-6 years.
- “Bhimrao Ambedkar: The Boy who asked why” by Soumya Rajendran; Publishers: Tulika
This biography in picture form is based on social injustice and caste prejudice. The book sheds light on the life of the drafter of the Constitution of India ‘Shri Bhimrao Ambedkar,’ of India who fought for Dalits and protested against untouchability and inhumanity.
Children will be inspired to ask their own whys and learn to appreciate egalitarian values. This book is appropriate for children aged 6-8 years.
- “The Mustache Man” by Priya Ramanathan; Publishers: Karadi Tales
The theme of this book is ‘Unity in Diversity’. It is a fun-filled picture book, colourfully illustrated in bright pink, blue, and black watercolours revolving around a perfect village named ‘Nekgaon’ and its people. But things change when ‘Mustaki’ steps into the village with his magic box- a box that reveals the dark secrets of the villagers. To get answers, one should have a moustache. And so, the people start growing moustaches. Find all of this in this hilarious book about gossip and moustaches!
A good book for children to learn acceptance and appreciate differences. Nobody is perfect, and one can learn from their mistakes and grow. It is perfect for children aged 7-9 years.
- “The Why – Why Girl” by Mahasweta Devi; Publishers: Tulika
This picture book by Mahasweta Devi focuses on the theme of “feminism”. The story revolves around a 10-year-old rural Shabar tribal girl Moyna who is inquisitive and asks questions to the narrator on social disparity and gender discrimination, and hence Moyna is the Why-Why girl. The narrator tells Moyna that she will get all her answers in the books, so she decides to read. At 18, Moyna grows up to become a teacher and encourages her students to ask questions.
This book beautifully depicts the innate curiosity of a child to ask questions. Curiosity leads to creative thinking and achievement. The book is appropriate for children aged 4 to 9 years.
- “Different Differenter” by Jyoti Gupta; Publishers: Colo(u)rism Project
It’s an activity book based on racism and cultural pluralism. There are 14 fun activities to help children ask questions about skin colour and its bias which leads to caste, cultural, ethnic, racial, or class-based differences. A combination of science and arts answers questions on serious and sensitive topics. Children will learn about social justice and how to cultivate healthy relationships and respect for diverse cultures and identities.
It is appropriate for children aged 5-7 years.
- “Why are you afraid to hold my hand? ” by Sheila Dhir; Publishers: Tulika
This book is based on the theme of diversity. The story revolves around a child with Cerebral Palsy. It clears the misconceptions that people have about differently-abled children. It’s written in verse with illustrations and is the celebration of the abilities of differently-abled children. The book’s message is to raise awareness and change attitudes toward people with disabilities and to create an inclusive mindset.
Children will get to learn about cerebral palsy and learn to appreciate differently-abled people. This book is a good pick for children aged 5-10 years.
Bottom Line
Parents always want the best for their children and want them growing into individuals with positive mindsets of humanitarian values that will bring about happiness and joy. Taking small steps by orienting them in the right direction will go a long way in making them joyful and empathetic human beings.
For more books on Diversity and Inclusion for children, please visit the link here.
Happy Reading!
