children / young adult social justice book lists

jay is an eight-year-old indigenous boy who wears his long hair in braids. when he starts to notice that the other boys in his school don't wear braids and have short hair, jay wants to cut his hair to fit in. but when his father explains to him how important long braids are to his culture and people, jay learns to be proud of his braids!

instant new york times bestseller! a lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to black and brown children everywhere: reminding them how much they matter, that they have always mattered, and they always will, from powerhouse rising star author tami charles and esteemed, award-winning illustrator bryan collier. the #1 amazon best children's book of 2020 a chicago public library and new york public library's best books of 2020 a today's favorite children's books of 2020 a shelf awareness's best children's and teen books of 2020 a best books of 2020, school library journal a best picture books of 2020, chicago public library a npr's best books of 2020 a best picture books of 2020, barnes and noble a kirkus reviews' best books of 2020 * "a gem for every household." -- kirkus reviews, starred review * "stunning. powerful. timely. illustrated inspiration at its best." -- horn book, starred review discover this poignant, timely, and emotionally stirring picture book, an ode to black and brown children everywhere that is full of hope, assurance, and love. tami charles pens a poetic, lyrical text that is part love letter, part anthem, assuring readers that they always have, and always will, matter. this powerful, rhythmic lullaby reassures readers that their matter and their worth is never diminished, no matter the circumstance: through the joy and wonder of their first steps and first laughs, through the hardship of adolescent struggles, and the pain and heartbreak of current events, they always have, and always will, matter. accompanied by illustrations by renowned artist bryan collier, a four-time caldecott honor recipient and a nine-time coretta scott king award winner or honoree, all because you matter empowers readers with pride, joy, and comfort, reminding them of their roots and strengthening them for the days to come. lyrical, personal, and full of love, all because you matter is for the picture book audience what the hate u give was for ya and ghost boys was for middle grade: a conversation starter, a community touchstone, and a deep affirmation of worth for the young readers who need it most.

celebrate the colors of children and the colors of love--not black or white or yellow or red, but roaring brown, whispering gold, tinkling pink, and more. sheila hamanaka's all the colors of the earth is a classic to share alongside such favorites as we're different, we're the same, all are welcome, and the world needs more purple people. this beautifully illustrated book "celebrates the beauty of diversity to the fullest through engaging, rhyming text," commented charnaie gordon in her brightly review. all the colors of the earth "would be a wonderful book to use in multicultural classrooms in schools." "how better to celebrate ethnic diversity than to look to children, the hope of the future this glorious picture book does just that."--booklist "a poetic picture book and an exemplary work of art. the simple text describes children's skin tones and hair in terms of natural phenomena and then describes love for these children with rich colors and flavors. a celebration of diversity." --school library journal

in this sweet and brightly illustrated picture book, amy wu must craft a dragon unlike any other to share with her class at school in this unforgettable follow-up to amy wu and the perfect bao. amy loves craft time at school. but when her teacher asks everyone to make their own dragon, amy feels stuck. her first dragon has a long, wingless body, stag-like horns, and eagle claws, but her friends don't think it's a real dragon. then she makes dragons like theirs, but none of them feels quite right...none of them feels like hers. after school, a story from grandma sparks new inspiration, and amy rounds up her family to help her. together, can they make amy's perfect dragon?

kindhearted archie is back! her poppy uncle is getting married in a big indian wedding, and archie and new friend emma realize that love and fun are universal. in this cross-cultural friendship story, archie helps emma, who isn't indian, learn everything she needs to know when archie's poppy uncle and emma's auntie julie get married. the girls go to the mehendi party and sangeet together. they help julie at the wedding, steal poppy's shoes, and eat ladoos at the reception. now archie and emma are friends-and cousins! archie's adventures celebrate indian culture! we first met archie in archie celebrates diwaliand now join her in the follow-up archie celebrates an indian wedding. backmatter in archie's books feature kid-friendly resources to enrich the reading experience.

during an unfortunate mishap, young awâsis loses kôhkum's freshly baked world-famous bannock. not knowing what to do, awâsis seeks out a variety of other-than-human relatives willing to help. what adventures are in store for awâsis? awâsis and the world-famous bannockhighlights the importance of collaboration and seeking guidance from one's community, while introducing the cree words for different animals and baking ingredients. find a pronunciation guide and the recipe for kôhkum's world-famous bannock in the back of the book.

"a necessary tool for helping children understand and develop cultural competency and compassion early on." --school library journal a girl explores her love of dancing and her cultural identity in a lively picture book with echoes of the real-life collaboration between bharatanatyam icon rukmini devi arundale and ballerina anna pavlova.  paro comes from a dancing family. at home, she dances bharatanatyam with her mom, and now she's excited to learn ballet. but what if she can't dance like the other kids in her class? ballerinas move like fairies, while bharatanatyam dancers seem like queens. paro can't be both...can she? anu chouhan's vibrant, energetic illustrations emphasize themes of creative flexibility and navigating the intersections of different cultural identities. the book's backmatter includes an author's note describing the inspiration behind the story, (the real-life meeting and collaboration of bharatanatyam dancer rukmini devi and ballerina anna pavlova), a diy ghungroo (ankle bell) activity, and a pronunciation and etymology guide.

a joyful celebration of japanese cultural traditions and body positivity as a young girl visits a bath house with her grandmother and aunties named one of the best books of the year by new york public library. npr. publishers weekly. kirkus reviews. horn book. the american library association. ala rise- a feminist book project you'll walk down the street / your aunties sounding like clip-clopping horses / geta-geta-geta / in their wooden sandals / until you arrive... / at the bath house / the big bath house. in this celebration of japanese culture and family and naked bodies of all shapes and sizes, join a little girl--along with her aunties and grandmother--at a traditional bath house. once there, the rituals leading up to the baths begin- hair washing, back scrubbing, and, finally, the wood barrel drumroll. until, at last, it's time, and they ease their bodies--their creased bodies, newly sprouting bodies, saggy, jiggly bodies--into the bath. ahhhhhh! with a lyrical text and gorgeous illustrations, this picture book is based on kyo maclear's loving memories of childhood visits to japan, and is an ode to the ties that bind generations of women together.

a companion to kelkar's the many colors of harpreet singh, this picture book features a little girl named bindu whose bindis connect her to family and help her find courage to compete in the school talent show. this charming picture book is about a little girl who loves her bindis (and the many creative shapes they come in!). the bindis are also a connection to her nani who lives in india. when nani comes to visit bindu and brings the bindis to her, it is just in time to wear something new to the school talent show. bindu and nani work together to shine their brightest and embrace their sparkle, even when they stand out from the crowd.

in this beautiful children's picture book by vivek shraya, author of the acclaimed god loves hair, a five-year-old south asian boy becomes fascinated with his mother's bindi, the red dot commonly worn by hindu women to indicate the point at which creation begins, and wishes to have one of his own. rather than chastise her son, she agrees to it, and teaches him about its cultural significance, allowing the boy to discover the magic of the bindi, which in turn gives him permission to be more fully himself.

a sensory celebration of family, food, and culture. when their train makes a 10-minute stop at the station in jaipur, a young girl and her mother hurry to get in line for a cup of chai. while the girl waits for her mug of milky spiced tea, readers are treated to the sights, sounds, and smells of the chaiwala's cart. the aroma of ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon sticks swirls in the air. tea leaves rustle, milk bubbles, and the hot drink is poured back and forth until--clink!--the cups are filled and placed on the stand. with a biscuit and a rusk added to their order, it's time to find a spot to sit and enjoy! inspired by the author's childhood visits to india, chaiwala! celebrates the pleasures of taking time for food, family, and tradition--even for a brief moment. illustrated in lively cut-paper collages and filled with scrumptious sensory details, this book is just like a cup of chai--warm, comforting, and good to the last drop.

this inspirational picture book from the author of dear black child encourages muslim children to take joy and pride in their islamic faith. perfect for fans of in my mosque and the proudest blue. dear muslim child, your story matters. in this lyrical ode to islam, muslim children all over the world are encouraged to celebrate their faith and traditions. 

anna's mother teaches her about what it means to be mohawk and about two-spirit people when she discovers that her friend is a lesbian.

every day ben's mom sends him out to fetch an egg from the chicken pen. but each day, havoc ensues and ben comes back empty-handed. until finally, just in time for shabbat, he achieves his goal.

this lyrical, stunning picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate your asian-shaped eyes, in the spirit of hair love by matthew a. cherry, and is a celebration of diversity. a young asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. they have big, round eyes and long lashes. she realizes that her eyes are like her mother's, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. they have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future. drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment. this powerful, poetic picture book will resonate with readers of all ages. "this tale of self-acceptance and respect for one's roots is breathtaking." --kirkus (starred review) "a young girl finds beauty in her uniqueness." --school library journal (starred review) "a lyrical celebration of her eyes, their shape, spirit, and legacy."  --booklist (starred review) "a poignant testament to familial love and legacy." --publishers weekly plus don't miss the beautiful companion book from the same team: eyes that speak to the stars.

discover global kids, your new favorite tool for raising global citizens both inside and beyond the classroom! developed by global education expert homa tavangar and the creators of barefoot books' bestselling mindful kids deck, global kids includes 50+ hands-on activities divided into 5 categories to teach children about crafts, food, games, festivals and ways of helping others around the world. bright artwork by sophie fatus, illustrator of the bestselling yoga pretzels deck, make the steps on each card easy to follow. with its sturdy and flexible deck format, global kids offers educators, librarians, parents and caregivers alike an interactive, powerful resource for raising the next generation of global citizens.

it's up to daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from academy-award winning director and former nfl wide receiver matthew a. cherry and new york times bestselling illustrator vashti harrison. zuri's hair has a mind of its own. it kinks, coils, and curls every which way. zuri knows it's beautiful. when daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. but he loves his zuri, and he'll do anything to make her -- and her hair -- happy. tender and empowering, hair love is an ode to loving your natural hair -- and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere. a perfect gift for special occasions including father's day, birthdays, baby showers, and more!

a beautiful picture book about the joyful magic in the tradition of hair oiling and a celebration of the bond between parent and child. meenu loves magic hair days, when mommy mixes sweet-smelling oils together and massages the potion into meenu's scalp and hair. it always leaves meenu with a fuzzy, magical feeling. and after bath time, when mom washes the oils out, meenu's hair is soft and shining. when meenu decides one day to mix the oils without any help, she discovers something's wrong: no matter how many oils she mixes, the magic just isn't there! what is she missing? but when mommy comes to help, massaging meenu's head, the fuzzy, magical feeling returns! was it really in the oils, or something else? inspired by anu chouhan's own memories and family, this author-illustrator debut is a lovely depiction of a cultural tradition and a delightful story that emphasizes that magical bond between parents and children.

a moving ode to the immigrant experience, as well as a manifesto of self-love for chinese american children. what do you see when you look in the mirror, mei? do you see beauty? we see eyes that point toward the sun, that give us the warmth and joy of a thousand rays when you smile. we see hair as inky black and smooth as a peaceful night sky. we see skin brushed with gold. praise for i am golden: "[a] richly metaphoric celebration of chinese american identity ... luminous, gently textured digital art by diao includes thoughtful, recognizably chinese cues that add further dimension ... a loving, affecting tribute to how children of immigrants can serve as bridges and torchbearers for their communities." --publishers weekly, starred review "from the outset, this gorgeous picture book exudes joy and celebration of identity. through dazzling illustrations, diao brings to exuberant life best-selling chinese american author chen's message of finding love and power in one's differences. ... this powerful and uplifting story captures [chinese] american joy and is a definite must-read." --booklist, starred review

our favorite day of the year meets alma and how she got her name in this warm, lyrical picture book about a child who learns to celebrate her multicultural identity and finds pride in all the stories and worlds that live inside of her. when it's multicultural day at school, a young girl wonders how best to tell the story of who she is. with marigolds, mangoes, and stories of india? fairy tales, cuckoo clocks, and german tales? or cheeseburgers, superheroes, and american traditions? when choosing only one doesn't feel quite right, she realizes that stories from all three places make her who she is. with whole worlds inside her, she doesn't have to choose just one--she can be all three.

a modern classic, this whimsical story has been celebrating the beauty of african-american hair for over 20 years! in this imaginative, evocative story, a girl named keyana discovers the beauty and magic of her special hair, encouraging black children to be proud of their heritage and enhancing self-confidence. i love my hair! has been a staple in african-american picture books for over 20 years, and now has a fresh, updated cover that shines on the shelves!

peeking out through a die-cut window on the jacket, madlenka invites the reader to enter her world. and what a world it is! on the surface, it looks like an ordinary city block, but as we meet madlenka's neighbors -- the french baker, the indian news vendor, the italian ice-cream man, the latin american grocer, a retired opera singer from germany, an african american school friend, and the asian shopkeeper -- and look through die-cut windows to the images and memories they have carried from old country to new, we can see that madlenka's block is as richly varied as its inhabitants. and why is madlenka going around the block, jumping for joy? her tooth is loose, and she wants everyone to know!

have you ever wanted to understand where your family comes from and how you got this way? when pigeon pea has a million questions about their family, auntie gives them the magic key to go back in time and across continents to meet, celebrate, and feast with their ancestors and orisha.

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 the award-winning and bestselling author of we are water protectors comes an empowering picture book about family history, self-expression, and reclaiming your identity our ancestors say our hair is our memories, our source of strength and power, a celebration of our lives. mom never had long hair--she was told it was too wild. grandma couldn't have long hair--hers was taken from her. but one young girl can't wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her. from carole lindstrom, author of the new york times bestseller and caldecott medal winner we are water protectors, and debut illustrator steph littlebird comes an empowering and healing celebration of hair and its significance across indigenous cultures.

after unhei moves from korea to the united states, her new classmates help her decide what her name should be.

now in dragonfly: a lively, empowering story about brenda's knotted-up, twisted, nappy hair and how it got to be that way! told in the african-american "call and response" tradition, this story leaps off the page, along with vibrant illustrations by joe cepeda. winner of a parenting reading magic award

when mayumi was born, her grandfather created a garden for her. it was unlike any other garden she knew. it had no flowers or vegetables. instead, ojiichan made it out of stones: "big ones, little ones and ones in-between." every summer, mayumi visits her grandfather in japan, and they tend the garden together. raking the gravel is her favorite part. afterward, the two of them sit on a bench and enjoy the results of their efforts in happy silence. but then one summer, everything changes. ojiichan has grown too old to care for his home and the garden. he has to move. will mayumi find a way to keep the memory of the garden alive for both of them? this gentle picture book story will warm children's hearts as it explores a deep intergenerational bond and the passing of knowledge from grandparent to grandchild over time. the lyrical text by chieri uegaki and luminous watercolor illustrations by genevieve simms beautifully capture the emotional arc of the story, from mayumi's contentment through her anger and disappointment to, finally, her acceptance. the story focuses on an important connection to nature, particularly as a place for quiet reflection. it contains character education lessons on caring, responsibility, perseverance and initiative. it's also a wonderful way to introduce social studies conversations about family, aging and multiculturalism. mayumi lives in north america with her japanese mother and dutch father, and visits her grandfather in japan. some japanese words are included.

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

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

miko likes things to be perfect. she folds her clothes like origami. she always paints inside the lines and writes each character neatly and carefully. when miko decides to make sushi for her grandmother's birthday, it comes out looking lopsided and just not right. it's so frustrating! so, she decides to replace it with perfectly formed sushi created by a restaurant robot. but when she delivers her gift, miko discovers that kokoro (heart) - not perfection - is the key ingredient to a perfect present. a do-it-yourself sushi recipe included at the back sprinkled with engaging onomatopeia a read-aloud for kids who want to do everything perfectly all the time

a powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by olympic medalist and social justice activist ibtihaj muhammad. and don't miss the kindest red, a story of hijab and friendship, available for preorder now!   with her new backpack and light-up shoes, faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. it's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. but not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, faizah will find new ways to be strong. paired with hatem aly's beautiful, whimsical art, olympic medalist ibtihaj muhammad and morris award finalist s.k. ali bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are.

where can you find strength when someone disrespects you? and what does having strength really mean? paul wahasaypa--siha tooskin--has learned from ena (his mom) and ade (his dad) to maintain a strong mind, heart, and spirit. though starting at a new school can be hard, especially when the kids there have never experienced the values and culture of the nakota people. join paul as mitoshin (his grandfather) helps remind him how strength of character can be found in the strength of his hair. the siha tooskin knows series uses vivid narratives and dazzling illustrations in contemporary settings to share stories about an 11-year-old nakota boy.

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.

a "moving tale of two enterprising siblings determined to find a safe way to get to school" (new york times), this singular picture book celebrates the creativity, ingenuity, and passion of children all over the world. features an afterword from julian lennon, and notes from co-authors aaron friedland and ndileka mandela.  every morning, shaka and his little sister nandi walk with their father to school. though the journey is long and hot, they arrive at school happy to see their friends and ready to learn. then one day, their father gives them terrible news: he has to go work in a mine far away, and they won't be able to go to school anymore. the route is too dangerous for them to walk alone, so they'll have to stay home.  but when they discover a yellow toy bus in the dirt, shaka and nandi let their imaginations run wild. could they buy their own school bus? or build one themselves? their plans prove much harder than they thought--but just when they're about to give up, shaka and nandi come up with an ingenious solution to get to school, one that will take the whole community to help. with lively illustrations from andrew jackson obol, the walking school bus is an engaging story that shows the challenges many children around the world face in accessing education, as well as the creativity and community spirit that can help overcome them.

an empowering follow-up to new york times bestselling picture book all because you matter that celebrates the rich history of black and brown men and women throughout history with soaring language and stunning illustration. lyrical, affirmational, and bursting with love, we are here is a poignant story about black and brown heritage and community. full of assurance, tenderness, and triumph, this much-anticipated follow-up to the new york times bestselling picture book all because you matter offers an equally inspirational and arresting ode to all of the black women and men throughout history who have made momentous contributions from the beginning of time. tami charles shares the beauty and excellence in the history of the black community, assuring black and brown children of the extraordinary legacy from which they come. charles's powerful and empowering text is accompanied with illustrations by renowned artist bryan collier, a four-time caldecott honor recipient and a nine-time coretta scott king award winner or honoree. we are here celebrates readers with pride, joy, and love, reminding them of their roots, inviting readers to imagine a future that shines ever bright, and strengthening them for their triumphant days to come!

a lyrical story of parental love that celebrates and takes pride in the many shades of brown skin. perfect for fans of i am enough, hey black child, hair love, and our skin. when you ask me why your skin is brown, i will tell you that you are my favorite color. i will say that your skin was decided long, long ago. time was just waiting for you. so begins a mother's celebration of her children's brown skin, told through warm and vivid poetry. with sweeping descriptions of what brown skin means-it is the brawny bear whose paws know the ground of its home, the sequoia tree that reaches up and touches the sun, the glossy shell of roasted chestnuts-this is a book that empowers as it embraces, and that reminds young readers that they have shades of color that only they can discover and express. with beautiful, lyrical text by powerhouse poet gillian sze and vibrant, engaging art by illustrator nina mata, the #1 new york timesbestselling illustrator of lebron james's i promise, this is more than a story of love-it is a song that rings out for brown kids everywhere. praise for you are my favorite color- "this is a sweet, languorous celebration of brown skin in all its infinite shades and of multiracial, multifaceted families. lovely." --kirkus reviews