children / young adult social justice book lists

anya, embarrassed by her russian immigrant family and self-conscious about her body, has given up on fitting in at school, but falling down a well and making friends with the ghost there just may be worse.

a young bird with a flair for discovery and invention learns self-acceptance one blue-footed step at a time. benjamin the blue-footed booby is coming of age in his flock's world of flying, diving, swimming, and fishing. but he already has a unique gift: treasure-hunting. one day, after finding a mirror, benjamin becomes convinced that his beak is too long, his wings are too wide, and his feet are too big and blue. he decides to use his treasures to change himself. but without his beak, wings, and feet, is he even a blue-footed booby anymore? illustrated with sue macartney's lively, light graphic art style, benjamin's blue feet is a playful, jovial picture book about self-image and self-worth. packed with humor and heart, it is sure to become a new storytime favorite.

a new york times bestseller!creative visionary of the word collector, happy dreamer, and the dot, #1 new york times bestseller peter h. reynolds creates a joyful celebration of individuality--and staying true to y-o-u! an amazon best book of 2020! be curious... be adventurous... be brave... be you! discover a joyful reminder of the ways that every child is unique and special, from the beloved creator of the dot, happy dreamer, and new york times bestseller, the word collector. here, reynolds reminds readers to "be your own work of art." to be patient, persistent, and true. because there is one, and only one, you. in the tradition of books like oh, the places you'll go! and i wish you more comes a wholly original, inspirational celebration of individuality as only peter h. reynolds can create!

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.

"today ... i want ... i ... i want to be loved." on a gray valentine's day, fifteen year-old carmen's world is turned upside down. she must give a presentation in class, and her fear of public speaking is making her sick. to make matters worse, carmen is convinced today is the day she'll die of shame. if only she hadn't put that note in simon krasinski's locker asking him to the school dance! instead of going to school, carmen runs the other way into an adventure she could never have imagined. when she meets a local rock star at a laundromat, carmen is propelled into a journey of self-discovery where maybe, just maybe, she'll find the elusive love she so desires.

chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts going to school and the other children make fun of it.

edith ellen eddy likes to climb trees, collect spiders, finger paint anywhere and play in the dirt, much to the exasperation of her parents.

despite the advice of others in her family, ella sarah persists in wearing the striking and unusual outfit of her own choosing.

"this book encourages kids to practice self-acceptance and embrace all kinds of play in a lighthearted and cheerful way." --school library journal, starred review this rhyming picture book encourages children to celebrate their individuality and lets them know that it's okay to play with whatever toys they want to! girls perform to fairy songs. boys play football all day long. boys yell, "boo!" and run away. girls like kittens and ballet. except when they don't. children are often told by many different people about what toys they're supposed to play with, what interests they should have, and who they should be simply because of their gender. this stereotype-breaking book invites children to examine what they're told "boy" and "girl" activities are and encourages them to play with whatever they want to and to be exactly who they are! this book is published in partnership with glaad to accelerate lgbtq inclusivity and acceptance.

"ho now creates a beautiful book about family: what makes individuals and what connects us to one another. this book is a perfect addition to any children's shelf, whether aimed at families, adoption, multicultural stories, or topics of love and ­acceptance." --school library journal (starred review) from new york times bestselling joanna ho, of eyes that kiss in the corners, and award-winning educator liz kleinrock comes a powerful companion picture book about adoption and family. a young girl who is a transracial adoptee learns to love her asian eyes and finds familial connection and meaning through them, even though they look different from her parents'. her family bond is deep and their connection is filled with love. she wonders about her birth mom and comes to appreciate both her birth culture and her adopted family's culture, for even though they may seem very different, they are both a part of her, and that is what makes her beautiful. she learns to appreciate the differences in her family and celebrate them. an amazon best book of the month for january 2024!

gerald the giraffe is too clumsy to dance with all the other animals at the jungle dance, until he finds the right music.

"her body is beautiful-strong, kind and wise. all bodies are lovely no matter their size." her body can is a poetic declaration of self-love and body positivity for all young girls. its aim is to encourage our girls to grow in a world that teaches them to love themselves and their bodies for exactly who and what they are, instead of allowing them to grow up learning to judge themselves and hate their bodies for what they are not. our girls should know that their bodies are absolutely amazing and can do incredible things-and that their worth is not measured by anything except how big they love themselves. the very first book of its kind, written for girls ages newborn to 8, this book intends to start a message of body positivity very young. instead of reversing self-judgment as our girls get older, let's start them on a path of self-love from the start. the authors' rhyming, sing-song voices deliver captivating messages that are easy for young readers to understand and absorb, while the illustrator's whimsical, modern drawings and vibrant colors bring characters to life on and off the page.

howard loves to dance but is worried what others will think. he tries other things but in the end finds that it better to be who he is.

the girl in this book likes to win, she likes to be spontaneous, fast and strong, and because she also likes to dress in t-shirt and shorts, she is forever getting mistaken for a boy. and when she meets a boy who likes wearing princess dresses and playing dolls, they both quickly discover that they share interests that are wide and varied. i am a girl! is a celebration of being who we are and not being pigeon-holed or restricted by gender stereotypes. who says that pink is for girls and blue is for boys?

a young girl learns to like herself every single day, no matter what.

brown-skinned children around the world laugh, love and play together in this infectiously joyful book. i am brown. i am beautiful. i am perfect. i designed this computer. i ran this race. i won this prize. i wrote this book. a joyful celebration of the skin you're in--of being brown, of being amazing, of being you. teach early years award finalist 2021. ukla book awards longlist 2021. derby children's book award longlist 2021. booktrust best books guide 2020. a guardian children's book of the month "a note-perfect hymn about acceptance, pride and belonging"--the observer "upbeat and uplifting"--kirkus reviews "an empowering book for all children to read and a beautiful reminder about self-love, dreaming big, culture and self-acceptance"--here wee read "such a joyful book! a must-have for your shelf, and definitely schools and libraries"--bookbairn "a total joy to behold. the gorgeous illustrations and story provide a positive mantra for all children of any ethnicity and background - with the central message that you can be anything you want to be, don't hold yourself back. highly recommended"--booktrust "this is not just a book about being brown. this book is fundamentally the voice of every child, and every child is amazing. simply one of the most joyful books i have seen for a long time. i can't wait to share it in my library"--book monsters

shares a story of loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another.

after capturing a bank robber, nineteen-year-old cab driver ed kennedy begins receiving mysterious messages that direct him to addresses where people need help, and he begins getting over his lifelong feeling of worthlessness.

illustrations and brief text describe all kinds of differences that are "okay," such as "it's okay to be a different color," "it's okay to need some help," "it's okay to be adopted," and "it's okay to have a different nose."

presents a series of situations in which taking chances and trying new things can lead to good results, even if there were mistakes along the way.

presents a series of situations in which taking chances and trying new things can lead to good results, even if there were mistakes along the way.

in this companion to the enormously popular a family is a family is a family, a group of kids share the silly questions they always hear, as well as the questions they would ratherbe asked about themselves. being the new kid is hard, a child in the school playground tells us. i can think of better things to ask than if i'm a boy or a girl.another child comes along and says she gets asked why she always has her nose in a book. someone else gets asked where they come from.  one after another, children share the questions they're tired of being asked again and again -- as opposed to what they believe are the most important or interesting things about themselves. as they move around the playground, picking up new friends along the way, there is a feeling of understanding and acceptance among them. and in the end, the new kid comes up with the question they would definitely all like to hear: "hey kid, want to play?" sara o'leary's thoughtful text and qin leng's expressive illustrations tell a story about children who are all different, all themselves, all just kids.

big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. lovely explores a world of differences that all add up to the same thing: we are all lovely!

as a shy boy, raffi is a loner and teased at school until one day he discovers knitting and decides to make a scarf for his father and a cape for the prince in the school play.

a fresh and fun celebration of natural hair for babies and toddlers! my hair is the perfect introduction to an array of beautiful hairstyles for tiny naturalistas-in-training! known for her popular black queens and black kings coloring books for adults, danielle murrell cox creates a colorful and bouncy board book to pair with favorites such as happy to be nappy by bell hooks; hair love by matthew a. cherry; and i love my hair by natasha anastasia tarpley. a great gift for baby showers, birthdays, and other special occasions!

from breakfast to bedtime, a young girl imagines being different women who made history, and ends the day empowered to be herself. includes brief biographical information about the women cited.

a four-year-old boy loves dressing up in princess clothing. "a nonfiction picture book about acceptance ... to give children and adults a tool to talk about unconditional friendship"--dust jacket.

noni can do many things: she can give her baby brother his bottle, she can help her mother in the kitchen, and she can even walk over to her friend susie's house. but noni just can't say "no." when she was very small, it was easy saying "no" to everybody, but now that she has a best friend, she wants to please. noni can't say "no" to her friend, even when it means she has to hand over a precious toy, or when it means agreeing to a hideous haircut, or even giving up her bed at a sleepover. but when noni finally finds her voice, the consequences are not what she - or the reader - expects. heather hartt-sussman's story, complemented by the playful illustrations of geneviève côté, is a comforting exploration of friendship and of the importance of trusting one's own judgment. many children (as well as many adults) will root for noni as she learns that you can stand up for yourself and still be a good friend.

based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way. developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp and adults can leverage for further discussion. while young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. research shows that talking about issues like race and gender from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice. this first book in the series begins the conversation on race, with a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion. ★ "an accessible, important addition to any anti-racist bookshelf."--- starred review, kirkus reviews ★ "the book lives up to its promise by opening the door to rich conversations with explanations that are age-appropriate... this timely book is essential for all collections."--- starred review, school library connection

an empowering and educational picture book that proves colors are for everyone, regardless of gender. pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! this timely and beautiful picture book rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids-and their grown-ups-to express themselves in every color of the rainbow. featuring a diverse group of relatable characters, pink is for boys invites and encourages girls and boys to enjoy what they love to do, whether it's racing cars and playing baseball, or loving unicorns and dressing up. vibrant illustrations help children learn and identify the myriad colors that surround them every day, from the orange of a popsicle, to the green of a grassy field, all the way up to the wonder of a multicolored rainbow. parents and kids will delight in robb pearlman's sweet, simple script, as well as its powerful message: life is not color-coded.

a joyful celebration of self-expression and uniqueness a group of kids is stuck inside on a rainy day, and they're feeling gloomy ... until they discover a pink treasure chest! inside they find a collection of items that turn their gray day into a playground of pink. pink is for painters and palace-dwellers, aliens and astronauts, dancers and dragons! in a parade of exuberance that celebrates all things pink, one surly cat stands apart and teaches the kids a gentle lesson about choosing what you love, no matter who you are, while respecting the unique preferences of everybody around you. this uplifting ode to self-expression goes beyond the binary expectations of gender to emphasize the importance of creativity and acceptance. it invites readers into a welcoming space where different clothing, toys, and colors are enjoyed by all. with a diverse cast of kids and inclusive, gender-neutral language, this book encourages children to embrace their true colors.

when a young boy paints his nails with his mom's nail polish, he discovers the most important thing of all: the magic of being his true self. as the long late summer day stretches ahead of them, a young boy eagerly looks forward to his favorite time--painting-your-nails time. he know that when he dips into those magical bottles of nail polish, he will discover a color to express his every mood and feeling. purple is the color of magic and mystery. white is the color of endless possibilities. at times, his papa frowns and says, "what have you done to your nails?" at other times, he says, "why don't you paint on paper instead?" but the little boy knows that painting his nails makes his hands look beautiful. this color-filled story celebrates the joy of finding out who you are and embracing the courage to be yourself.

a blue crayon mistakenly labeled as "red" suffers an identity crisis in this picture book by the new york times-bestselling creator of my heart is like a zoo. this funny, heartwarming, colorful picture book about finding the courage to be true to your inner self can be read on multiple levels, and it offers something for everyone. funny, insightful, and colorful, red: a crayon's story is about being true to your inner self and following your own path despite obstacles that may come your way. red will appeal to fans of lois ehlert, eric carle, and the day the crayons quit, and makes a great gift for readers of any age! red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. his teacher tries to help him be red (let's draw strawberries!), his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!), and the scissors try to help him be red by snipping his label so that he has room to breathe. but red is miserable. he just can't be red, no matter how hard he tries! finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective, and red discovers what readers have known all along. he's blue!

elmer the duck is teased because he is different, but he proves himself by not only surviving the winter, but also saving his papa.

"three-year-old casey wants what his older sister, jessie, has--a shimmery skirt, glittery painted nails, and a sparkly bracelet--but jessie does not approve. after two boys tease casey about his appearance, jessie evolves to a place of acceptance and celebration of her gender creative younger brother"-- provided by publisher.

even when the class bully at her new school makes fun of her, molly remembers what her grandmother told her and she feels good about herself.

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.

from the author of wolf camp comes the story of a charming, mushroom-loving, headgear-wearing, totally awkward naked mole rat who is looking for like-minded peeps. sweety is awkward, even for a naked mole rat. she has protruding front teeth, thick glasses, and some very unusual hobbies, including interpretive dance and fungus identification. she's intense and passionate--and her peers don't always get her. but surely there are other mushroom lovers out there? as sweety sets out to find them, she comes to realize--with a little help from her cool aunt ruth-- that being sweety is actually pretty awesome. with heart and humor and a whole lot of charm, andrea zuill delivers a story about learning to embrace everything that makes you you--and that's something many kids are going to relate to.

augie enjoys the company of his dog, daisy, and using his imagination, but painfully endures the taunts of his peers because of his facial deformity.

everyone has a gift. every gift is different, and every gift is special. our world needs you to share your gift. what is your gift? how can you use your gift to help others? we need everyone empowers children to identify their gifts and use them to overcome challenges, achieve goals, and strengthen communities. inspiring and uplifting, this interactive picture book celebrates diverse cultures, perspectives, and abilities through playful illustrations. perfect for reading aloud.

the blue frog looked at his reflection in the water and asked, "why am i blue?" the green frog didn't know. dandelion had no answer. and fish? no idea either! could there be an answer to this question? the blue frog is on a quest to find out! eventually, he comes across a simple but profound explanation. includes a note to parents and caregivers by gayle e. pitman, phd, that discusses how children experience differences throughout childhood and how adults can guide children toward an understanding and acceptance of their own as well as others' differences and similarities. age range: 4-8.

in a poetic, philosophical exchange, two children of different races ask themselves why they are who and what they are, and speculate on how they could be different.
"presented as a thoughtful, poetic exchange between two characters -- who don't realize they are thinking and asking the very same questions -- this beautiful celebration of our humanity and diversity invites readers of all ages to imagine a world where there is no you or me, only we. if the first step toward healing the world is to build bridges of empathy and celebrate rather than discriminate, why am i me? helps foster a much-needed sense of connection, compassion, and love"

new york times bestseller * from grammy-winning pop star ciara and super bowl champion quarterback russell wilson comes a picture book to inspire young readers to see the value in themselves, be brave, and go after their biggest dreams!   why not you? amazing you! you're a winner! you're so strong! you are perfect and important--you and all your gifts belong!   we all have big dreams! sometimes it's hard to imagine our big dreams coming true. but what if someone saw all the amazing and spectacular parts of us--our winning smiles, our fancy feet, our warm hearts--and asked, "why not you?"   whether it's becoming a football player or a pop star or the president or a scientist: why not you?   in this picture book debut, superstars ciara and russell wilson encourage readers to see themselves achieving their dreams, no matter how outrageous they may seem. it's a lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and daring to shoot for the stars.

after exploring his ocean home and seeing many different types of sea life, a young fish named adri talks to his parents and learns that differences make the world colorful and beautiful.