“The thoughts of young minds build the future of the world.”
Diversity exists in everything – nature as well as institutions made by humans viz: cultures, religions, genders, castes, skin color, socio-economic factors, family structures etc. Introducing children to Diversity and Inclusion at an early age helps them appreciate differences while embracing their own uniqueness. It’s almost every day that our children meet people from different cultures, races and gender; talking and discussing about Diversity and Inclusion at an early stage, is the best way to move forward. It helps them to identify and learn about themselves from a variety of sources – people belonging to various races, cultures, and abilities in the world. It develops an open mindset and serves as an ideal base for growing into empathetic individuals who respect and care for those around them.
Having conversations with our children is an excellent first step to introducing children to Diversity and Inclusion. Books are an effective source of communication. Reading books on Diversity and Inclusion to children is a wonderful way to spark conversations and educate them. It helps them recognize the similarities and accept the differences of others, paving the way for inclusive behaviour.
So, here’s a list of ten books, specially curated, that can serve as great resources, encourage conversations and get children thinking about diversity, difference, inclusion, and acceptance.
- “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold
This book by Alexandra Penfold focuses on the theme of “celebrating differences”.
The story follows a day at school where children of various races, religions, backgrounds, and abilities come together to do all kinds of activities, like working on projects, pointing to their family’s origin on a map, and playing together in the playground.
“All Are Welcome” allows children to know that they are all valued as individuals and received with open arms in their school, regardless of differences. It teaches little ones the value of accepting people for who they are and to remain united at all times.
This book is recommended for children aged 5 to 8 years.
- “It’s Ok to Be Different” by Todd Parr
This classic book inspires thoughts of acceptance, self-confidence, and uniqueness in young children.
The illustrations in the book are simple, appealing and colourful, making it attractive and easily relatable to children. The repetitive usage of the words “It’s okay to be” in bold letters on each page of the book motivates children (and adults, too) to embrace their individuality by accepting others and celebrating Diversity.
This book enhances the emotional development of young children, instils positive thoughts and helps children feel unique and confident about themselves.
This book is appropriate for children aged 3 to 6 years.
- “Sulwe” by Lupita Nyong’o
This bestselling children’s fiction by award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o talks about a sensitive topic- people of colour- in a uniquely reassuring way.
Sulwe, a small girl, has the darkest skin in her family and her friends at school. However, she later starts to love her skin colour after returning from a magical journey through the night sky.
The story in the book delivers a great message – that everyone is beautiful, irrespective of their skin colour and that it is important to love and accept ourselves just as we are.
This book is appropriate for children aged 4 to 8 years.
- “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Pena
This award-winning modern classic by Matt de la Pena invests kindness, gratitude and empathy in children.
The book narrates and presents a story about a boy named CJ who visits church every Sunday with his grandmother and takes a bus ride after praying. But on a particular day, after noticing his friend in a car, he wonders why he was on a bus while his friend had a car; why he doesn’t have an iPod like the other boys on the bus. When he asks his grandmother about it, she shares her perspective and helps him find and appreciate the beauty in everything. The heartwarming celebration of cross-generational bonding and vibrant illustrations make the book a must-have for children.
This book beautifully depicts real-life experiences, encouraging children to appreciate Diversity and understand different lifestyles.
This book is appropriate for children aged 3 to 5 years.
- “The Big Umbrella” by Amy June Bates
“The Big Umbrella” is a lively picture book about inclusivity, selflessness, and equality.
The story begins with a small child who pulls out a red umbrella on a rainy day. And the big friendly umbrella covers and protects everything and everyone who comes under it, no matter who they are.
This book sends a strong message about making room for everyone in our hearts by treating them equally, just like an umbrella does.
This book is appropriate for children aged 4 to 8 years.
- “I Will Be Fierce!” by Bea Birdsong
“I Will Be Fierce!” is an empowering picture book that presents the idea of courage, confidence, self-esteem and about looking for extraordinary things and opportunities in everyday moments.
As a new day begins, a young girl decides to face the world with lots of courage and bravery. She sets off on her journey like a little warrior on a quest of adding tremendous value to her life. From home to school and back again, she learns her subjects at school well, gains knowledge by reading books in the library, makes new friends and walks a victorious way back home.
“I Will Be Fierce!” encourages children to see themselves as heroes who can add tremendous value to their own life uniquely and much more confidently.
This book is appropriate for children aged 3 to 6 years.
- “I Can Do Hard Things” by Gabi Garcia
The book “I Can Do Hard Things” helps discover the inner voice of oneself while reflecting on the Diversity of the world.
This book has affirmations that can help children strengthen their inner voice and tune in to them when the critical outside voices tell otherwise about them or how they should be in the world.
This book is a treasure to keep, as it encourages children to build resilience, believe in their abilities, and to stay strong when navigating through hard times.
This book is appropriate for children aged 5 to 10 years.
- “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson
This delightful book of art sows the seeds of courage and confidence in young minds, helping them explore the beautiful world full of people from varied walks of life.
The book contains beautiful illustrations that tell the story of a young girl who feels different and weak as she compares herself to others when she enters a new environment. She finally gains courage after she decides to see the beauty in her life.
‘The Day You Begin‘ can make a significant impact on the sensitive minds of young children and can help them embrace their uniqueness with the story of their own. This book can help them feel self-assured as individuals.
The book ‘The Day You Begin’ is appropriate for children aged 5 to 8 years.
- “Thank you, Omu!” by Oge Mora
This award-winning, fun-filled picture book leaves a beautiful, lasting impression on young minds with its heart-warming words and gestures of friendship, gratitude and inclusivity.
The story is about Omu, who prepares a delicious stew and shares it with her neighbours, who knock at her door after smelling the food. The generous lady gives everything she has and is left with nothing for dinner. However, the community members express their gratitude by bringing her food and having fun together.
“Thank you, Omu!” is an admirable read as it teaches children the value of selflessness.
This book is recommended for children aged 4 to 8 years.
- “Love Makes a Family” by Sophie Beer
“Love makes a Family“, and so it is! Love is one of the essential binding elements that make a family one and strong.
This colourful, inclusive, attractive book depicts the happy activities performed by different families from morning until bedtime. And it emphasizes the message that it doesn’t matter whether a child has two moms or two dads, a single parent, or both. What matters is the love that binds them together, making them a family – one and strong.
This board book teaches children about the importance of love and its purity, helping them develop a positive mindset, live an endearing life and spread love throughout the world.
This book is recommended for children aged 3 to 4 years.
Bottom Line
As parents, we all want the best for our children at all times. Nothing in this world can bring us more happiness than watching our child grow up into a person who everyone loves and appreciates. It’s just a little effort on our side that can make it happen. It is never too late to start adding value into their lives and teaching the right things.
We must create a space to engage in conversations about Diversity with our children. And books, as always, are a great resource to spark conversations and get them thinking.
A well-known author, Uma Krishnaswami, says- “Books can disrupt and challenge ideas about Diversity through multifaceted and intersecting identities, settings, cultural contexts, and histories. They can place diverse characters at these crucial intersections and give them the power to reframe their stories. Through the fictional world, they can make us question the assumptions and practices of our own real world.”
In Diversity, there is beauty, AND there is strength. However different or diverse we may be, we all deserve to be loved, appreciated, accepted and feel belonged.
Every single one of us is beautiful, capable, and enough, however different we may be.
Thank you, and enjoy reading these books with your children!