Our collection of picture books featuring Black and Indigenous Peoples and People of Color (BIPOC) is available to the public.
*Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL a recommendation.*
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Skeletown: Más. ¡Menos!
“Fall is in the air in the Día de los Muertos-inspired world of Skeletown! Skully and Skelly are raking leaves and trekking to school amid the brisk autumn wind, so it’s time to cozy up with a big sweater that Abuela just knitted—that is, until their cat Lulu grabs the yarn and begins unraveling it, leading the crew on a wild chase through the busy streets of Skeletown, in this exciting story told using only two words! With dynamic, neon art that pops off the pages, a completely unique approach to storytelling, and a wildly appealing (but not scary!) cast of calavera characters from the fantastical world of Skeletown, here’s a rambunctious romp that will inspire giggles with Spanish and English readers alike!” — publisher
A Case is Still a Case
“There’s a rumor going around school that Mickey Rangel, detective extraordinaire, has competition! Apparently, Tina has gotten an online license just like Mickey. He can’t believe it! Doesn’t she know detectives are guys? Look at all the greats: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Colombo, the Hardy BOYS! But when a pack of baseball cards-a collector’s item worth a lot of money-donated to the school’s fundraiser is stolen, Principal Abrego wants Mickey and Tina to work together to solve the case. The dynamic duo, she calls them! Mickey is determined to show the girl detective who’s who and he expects her to understand that they are not equal partners; she’s a rung or two below him. Almost immediately Tina takes charge of the investigation and starts giving him instructions! “Who does this girl think she is?” Mickey wonders. But he isn’t counting on the fact that she is extremely smart and well-prepared. And when he lets his biases blind him to the facts of the case, it’s Tina who schools Mickey on the fine art of detection! How could he have possibly thought girls can’t be private investigators? Will she ever forgive him for his misogyny?” — publisher
Anna’s Kokeshi Dolls: A Children’s Story Told in English and Japanese
“Anna is a Japanese-American girl whose grandparents live in Japan. They have been sending her adorable Kokeshi dolls made of painted wood each year for her birthday since she was very small. The dolls, like people, are all different– and beautiful! In this charming children’s book by award-winning author Tracy Gallup, we watch Anna grow up as her Kokeshi collection grows bigger, and we see how these dolls bring Anna and her grandparents closer together as the years pass. Part counting book, part visual narrative, this beautifully-illustrated bilingual picture book shows how simple objects can serve as a bridge between people and cultures on opposite sides of the globe. It also introduces these beautiful dolls and the ways in which they are formed and painted. The story is in Japanese and English, with a free audio recording available online. A note at the end gently explains the history of Kokeshi dolls and why they are made the way they are.” — publisher
Do I Belong Here? / Es Este Mi Lugar?
“An immigrant boy stands “in the middle of a whirlwind of children,” and wonders where he is supposed to go. Finally, a woman speaks to him in a language he doesn’t understand and takes him to his classroom. A boy named Carlos helps orient him, but later when he reads aloud, everyone laughs at him. And when he gets an “F” on an assignment, he is sure “I do not belong here.” But gradually the boy begins to learn English. He works hard. He always pays attention, finishes his homework and-most importantly-never gives up. He begins to recognize words. “I understand now. Open is abrir, books are libros and page is página.” And when the kids invite him to play soccer, he thinks, “Maybe I belong here.” As the boy’s grades improve and he make friends, he realizes, “I belong here.” And when he sees a girl looking lost, sure she doesn’t belong, he can say with certainty: “Not yet. But you will.”” — publisher
Dream Carver / El Tallador de Sueños
“Pink goats, blue rabbits, and purple cats–oh my! Manuel has the determination and imagination to create them all! Cabras rosas, conejos azules y gatos morados–¡que maravilla! ¡Manuel tiene las ganas e imaginación para crearlo todo! Between their work growing blue corn and green alfalfa, Manuel and his father carve small wooden animals to sell at the fiestas in Oaxaca, Mexico. Manuel’s imagination overflows with goats as pink as blossoming bougainvillea, purple cats with corn-yellow spots, and many more completely unique animals. When he tells his father how he longs to sculpt creatures in this new style, his father only scowls, telling Manuel to stick to their traditional way.But Manuel practices on his own, trying over and over until he’s finally able to carve wood into the lively animals he sees in his mind. Finally, he brings his creations to the fiestas, where he finds out that being true to himself is a great thing! Including an afterword on the vibrant Mexican art form of wood carvings, as well as information on the real artisan who inspired the book–Manuel Jiménez Ramírez–this colorful tale inspires readers of all ages to follow their passion. Entre su trabajo cosechando maíz azul y alfalfa verde, Manuel y su padre tallan animalitos de madera para vender en las fiestas de Oaxaca, México. Pero Manuel sueña con dar vida animals más grandes y coloridos. Su imaginación se desborda con cabras tan rosas como las buganvillas en flor, gatos morados con manchas color de maíz amarillo y muchos más animales tan únicos que nunca antes habían sido creados. Cuando le dice ha su padre que anhela esculpir criaturas en este nuevo estilo, su padre solo frunce el ceño. Él quiere seguir tallando como siempre lo ha hecho. Pero Manuel practica solo, esforzándose y esforzándose, hasta que logra hacer que la madera luzca como los animales alegres que ve en su mente. Al fin, trae sus creaciones a las fiestas, ¡y se da cuenta que ser fiel a sí mismo es algo maravilloso! Con un epílogo sobre el arte mexicano de tallar madera, e información sobre el verdadero artesano quien inspiro este libro–Manuel Jiménez Ramírez–esta historia vivaz inspira a lectores de todas edades a perseguir sus sueños.” — publisher
Forever Our Home / Kâkikê Kîkinaw
“This gentle picture-book lullaby, in both Plains Cree and English, is a celebration of the plants and animals of the Prairies and the Plains and a meditation on the sacred, ancestral connections between Indigenous children and their Traditional Territories. A lullaby of reconciliation and reclamation, celebrating the ancestral relationship between Indigenous children and the land that is forever their home. Under glowing morning sun and silvery winter moon, from speckled frogs croaking in spring to summer fields painted with fireweed, this meditative lullaby introduces little ones to the plants and animals of the Prairies and the Plains.” — publisher
Grandma, Where Will Your Love Go? / Abuela, ¿adónde irá tu amor?
“Abuela comforts her granddaughter by using nature’s beauty, power and mystery to reassure her that life continues-and so does love. The child will feel her touch in the sun’s warmth and her kiss in each raindrop. When the wind lifts her hair, she will know her grandmother is there. The beauty of sunlit dragonflies and the smell of baked bread will be reminders of her love. “Feel my love in the power of waterfalls,” Grandma says. “Feel it in a moonlit darkness and in the sprout from a seed.” The love they share will surround her always.” — publisher
Lia y Luís: ¡Desconcertados! / Lia & Luís: Puzzled!
“Los mellizos Lia y Luís han recibido de su abuela un rompecabezas con un código secreto. ¿Podrán armarlo para leer el mensaje oculto? Una divertida exploración de la geometría y la clasificación con personajes brasileño-estadounidenses y un glosario de palabras de portugués brasileño. Los libros de la serie Cuentos matemáticos celebran que los niños usen las matemáticas en sus aventuras diarias mientras juegan, construyen y descubren el mundo que los rodea. Historias divertidas y actividades prácticas facilitan que los niños y los adultos exploren juntos las matemáticas de la vida diaria. Han sido desarrolladas en colaboración con expertos en matemáticas para las áreas de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas de la organización sin fines de lucro TERC, con una beca de la Heising-Simons Foundation. Twins Lia and Luís have received a secret puzzle from their grandma! Can they put it together to read the hidden message? A playful exploration of geometry and sorting featuring Brazilian American characters and a glossary of Brazilian Portuguese words. Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Joyful stories and hands-on activities make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together. Developed in collaboration with math experts at STEM education nonprofit TERC, under a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation.” — publisher
Mis Días con Papá / Spending Time with Dad
“The boy recounts his days spending time with his father, from “when the sun starts filling the room with light,” to eating breakfast, brushing his teeth and talking to his grandparents who live in a different country. His favorite time of the day is when he gets to play with his dinosaurs and his friend Tato, a stuffed cat who joins him on all his adventures. When Mom comes home, the whole family goes to the park. After dinner, he goes to bed and thinks about the ships from his mom’s work, his dinosaurs and his grandparents. Soon he falls asleep, hugging his special kitty.” — publisher
Naaahsa Aisinaki! / Naaahsa is an Artist!
“Naaahsa says art is a language everyone understands. Sometimes we make art together. We draw, we bead, we sing. Sometimes Naaahsa tells stories in Blackfoot. I even get to go with her to see her art show at the National Gallery. Naaahsa is famous for her art, but I love her hugs best!” — publisher
