My 6 favorite racially diverse books for kids

In the midst of everything going on with the BLM human rights movement, I was really motivated to add to my daughter’s library books with more racially diverse characters. I wanted to provide a list of my favorite racially diverse books for kids.

My daughter loves books. We have books all around the house. Multiple times a day she will gather around a pile of books and go through them one by one. Showing interest in one more than another. Sometimes she will “read” the same book over and over. Then she will read it upside down. I guess she likes the challenge. Check out some that made my list.

“This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the link. Thanks for supporting this mama.”

1. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

This book is by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. I was unsure if I should say, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, is a racially diverse book but I felt it had a nice representation of races on their page with all the children. A book doesn’t have to be about race specifically to be racially diverse. It’s a start especially for babes that are a year or younger.

The same authors have other books in the same style which my daughter also really enjoys.

2. Dream Big, Little One

Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison. I really liked this one as a mom of a girl. It was wonderful to see the amazing things Black women have done from history to now.

Raising my daughter to be a strong woman in this world is something I powerfully believe in.

3. Think Big, Little One

Vashti Harrison is also the author of Think Big, Little One. This book is similar to Dream Big, Little One but it represents women from all around the world and their amazing contributions. Encouraging young girls that no matter where you’re from or what the color of your skin is you can do great things.

Both these books come in a full version with detailed descriptions of the women’s accomplishments. Vashti Harrison also has a book for little boys too, called Follow Your Dream, Little One.

4. The Snowy Day

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats came highly recommended. This book is so sweet I can see why people recommended it. Ezra Keats just wonderfully and sweetly shares the story of a Black boy. This is only of the favorites I have bought for my daughter. Keats also has many other books that I want to add to the library, “Whistle for Willie” and “Peter’s Chair“. If you’ve read these books please share your thoughts on them.

5. Hair Love

I love the premise of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry. It is about a father and his relationship with his daughter and how they bond, as the father learns to do his daughter’s hair and teach his daughter to love her unique hair. The artwork is also beautifully done, by Vashti Harrison. The book shows Black characters and focuses on the universal love of a father and his daughter. This is the only book I couldn’t find as a board book but still a worthwhile investment for your child’s library at any age.

6. Little You

Little You by Richard Van Camp is a wonderfully written book, like poetry. I found this book while looking for other racially diverse books. It is a book that is a celebration of your babe. What I loved about the artwork (by Julie Flett) was that you can’t really pin a race on the characters in it. I want to say Asian but I am not sure. Just beautifully written with matching artwork.

These are just some of my favorite racially diverse books for kids! I have linked all the books on Amazon but if you’re able to buy the books directly from the authors, of course, I recommend this to support them. We want them to write more great books for our little ones.

I hope your babe will enjoy them as my little girl has been. Remember that it is never too early to start their learning journey on racial diversity.

If you have recommendations for other books we can add to my girl’s library click the link below!

Sharing is caring!