Children's Books, Parenting

Children’s Books about Culture, Differences, Standing Up for Others

Children's Books about Culture, Differences, Standing Up for Others

Children’s Books about Culture, Differences, Standing Up for Others are topics we need to share with our children…yesterday! Talking with kids about cultural awareness and using their voice is tough. We want to talk in a way they understand or they don’t retain what they hear and remember some points down the road if it was too much, too little or even too informative. Perhaps we can leave the conversation starters to Authors, many of which are Teachers, Counselors and Speakers that know how to guide us in these conversations within stories and illustrations.

Books are the greatest tools we have as parents to teach subjects and topics with our children and these titles below, specifically, help us start the conversation about culture, differences and even when and how to use our voice to stand up for others.

I have reviewed many books and I have reached out to the Publishers and Authors I know to help me put such a list together. I didn’t want to wait until these books make it to me and communication can happen between myself and publishers so I started my list below with books you have already seen me discuss but now I bring them forward again.

I will update this list EVERY time I come across a title within this topic that I feel will help you start these important conversations. Make sure you follow my socials (buttons are in my header) and bookmark this page so you are updated when I suggest a new title. I will announce for you every time a new title is added.

I will work hard to find the books that you need to have the conversations of being a kind human to all! If you like this list, be sure to hit the Rating button at the end of this post! Some affiliate links may be within.

Now at over 20 titles….

Guion the Lion

Topic: Appreciating differences and embracing others’ ideas

Author: Rebecca Wilson Macsovits, Mom of a son with Down Syndrome

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The Big Buna Bash

Topic: Inspire cultural pride in kids who might feel that they don’t fit in because of their differences.  

Author: Sara C. Arnold, immigrated to Israel in 1981, and teaches English in Jerusalem.

Buy Now


PJ Library Books

Topic: Access to books about Jewish Culture/Holidays

Author: Various within the Jewish culture

Buy/Access Now


Get Up, Stand Up

Topic: A message of empowerment and unity, also anti-bullying

Author: Cedella Marley, daughter of Bob Marley, Musician-more books like this at the link below!

Buy Now


We Are Power: How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World

Topic: For Teens. An inspiring call to action, a reminder that true power ultimately rests in our hands. 

Author: Todd Hasak-Lowy, a professor of creative writing and literature at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Buy Now


The Backpack

Topic: Treating others how we wish to be treated. It’s what’s on the inside, not judging the outside

Author: Lindsay C Barry, a  Momtrepreneur

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We’re Different, We’re the Same

Topic: It’s a classic, but a favorite! help teach toddlers and the adults in their lives that everyone is the same on the inside

Author: Bobbi Kates, a writer for Sesame Street books

Buy Now


The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story

Topic: Immigration and teaching others to be more open-minded.

Author: Aya Khalil, freelance journalist and educator who  immigrated to the U.S. from Egypt

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Ten Little Bears

Topic: spirited book that celebrates Native American traditions as it teaches young children to count from one to ten. Chronicle Books

Author: Virginia Grossman, a resident of Washington State

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What Can A Citizen Do?

Topic: This is a book about what citizenship—good citizenship—means to you, and to us all Chronicle Books

Author: Dave Eggers, the cofounder of: Voice of Witness, an oral-history series focused on human rights….

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The Quickest Kid in Clarksville

Topic: Gentle tribute to the legend of the pathbreaking African-American sprinter Wilma Rudolph, Chronicle Books

Author: Pat Zietlow Miller, New York Times bestselling of BE KIND, children’s Author

Buy Now


The Other Half of Happy

Topic: For Tweens, realistic view of the struggles and insecurities—as well as the beauty—that comes from being bicultural. Chronicle Books

Author: Rebecca Balcarcel, received the Jane Kenyon Poetry Prize, and her work has appeared in journals 

Buy Now


This Is How We Do It

Topic: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World

Author: Matt Lamothe, Illustrator and Animator from Chicago

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Hats of Faith

Topic: inspires understanding and celebrates our culturally diverse modern world.

Author: Medeia Cohan, a gallery curator and an entrepreneur

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Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns

Topic: captures the world of Islam, celebrating its beauty and traditions for even the youngest readers. Chronicle Books

Author: Hena Khan, a Pakistani-American who enjoys writing about her culture

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Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker

Topic: portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. 

Author: Patricia Hruby Powell, won a Sibert Honor for Nonfiction, a Coretta Scott King Honor, and five starred reviews. She lives in Illinois.

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One is a Pinata

Topic: One of this Author’s Latino culture-inspired children’s books.

Author: John Parra,  award-winning illustrator, designer, teacher, and fine art painter. His children’s books have earned numerous awards

Buy Now


Papa Do You Love Me?

Topic: captures the universal love between a father and child. Set in Africa and featuring the Maasai culture

Author: Barbara M Joosse, visited schools in Kenya and Uganda in 1997, and the Maasai and their tenderness toward their children planted a seed in her heart that grew into the idea for this book.

Buy Now


Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes

Topic: cleverly uses a concept book to celebrate Chinese culture

Author: Roseanne Thong, taught English in many places: California, Guatemala, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Buy Now


Peace, Baby!

Topic: A frustrating day may feel overwhelming, but everyone wins with Peace, Baby!

Author: Linda Ashman, her children’s books have been named to the “best of the year” lists of the New York Times, Parenting Magazine, and more

Buy Now


Soldier For Equality

Topic: incredible story of one man’s fight for Mexican-American civil rights, from award-winning picture book 

Author: Duncan Tonatiuh, born in Mexico City and grew up in San Miguel de Allende. His books have received many awards over the years. 

Buy Now


All Are Welcome

Topic: welcoming picture book that celebrates diversity and gives encouragement and support to all kids

Author: Alexander Penfold, author, illustrator, and animator. Over the years she’s done everything from animating special effects for Universal Television and the Discovery Channel 

Buy Now


The Promise For Change

Topic: For Tweens, fourteen year old Jo Ann Allen was one of twelve African-American students who broke the color barrier and integrated Clinton High School in Tennessee in 1956

Author: Debbie Levy, bachelor’s degree in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, and a law degree and master’s degree in world politics from the University of Michigan. 

Buy Now


The Moment of Lift

Topic: For Teens, How empowering women changes the world, New York Times Bestseller

Author: Melinda Gates, philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate for women and girls.

Buy Now


More added soon…

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