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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24 matching books
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Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding
“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!” — publisher
Noura’s Crescent Moon
“Noura can’t wait for the sun to go down! With Ramadan and her first month of fasting almost over, she and Mama and Papa are headed to the hills for a moonsighting picnic. It would be truly special if Noura could catch a glimpse of the faint silvery crescent, something even her mother has never managed to do. If the moon stays hidden, that means one more long day before Noura can wear her sparkly new dress and the joyful Eid celebrations begin—bringing with them visits with friends, eating sweets, and painting henna on her hands. In a lighthearted introduction to Ramadan and Eid, this family-centered tale of anticipation under the stars pairs an inviting text from Zainab Khan with Nabila Adani’s vibrant illustrations, capturing everything from the bustle of a shared meal to the swirling magic of the night sky. Relevant terms, from food items to the Islamic lunar calendar, are explained in a glossary at the end.” — publisher
Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu
“The story of Rapunzel where she’s being locked in a tower by a witch is a good one—but it’s not totally the truth. The real story is about a young princess in China named Ra Pu Zel who doesn’t want to talk to princes or look proper. What Pu Zel wants is to cook and eat in peace, her long hair neatly braided to keep it out of her food. And when she gets tired of everyone telling her what to do, she locks herself in a tower with her dog Bao. Although princes from everywhere try to convince her to come down, it’s not until a young chef arrives with an intriguing food to share that Ra Pu Zel finally has a reason.” — publisher
The Partition Project
“When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. That fact is confirmed when Maha has to give up her bedroom to the grumpy old woman and is assigned to be Dadi’s unofficial babysitter. As an aspiring journalist, Maha knows all about the importance of facts (though her best friend would say that stories are just as important). She can’t wait to start her journalism elective—until their teacher announces that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels way outside of what she would call “journalism.” While Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi’s childhood in northern India—and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan. As details of Dadi’s life are revealed, Dadi’s personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary.” — publisher
The Rez Doctor
“Ryan Fox dreams of becoming a doctor. But when university takes him away from the support of his family and Siksikaitsitapi community, his grades start to slip, his bills pile up, and getting into med school feels impossible. And now his beloved uncle is in jail. Can Ryan regain his footing to walk the path he saw so clearly as a young boy? Young Ryan Fox gets good grades, but he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn’t until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big. However, becoming a doctor isn’t easy. University takes Ryan away from his family and the Siksikaitsitapi community, and without their support, he begins to struggle. Faced with more stress than he’s ever experienced, he turns to partying. Distracted from his responsibilities, his grades start to slip. His bills pile up. Getting into med school feels impossible. And now his beloved uncle is in jail. Can Ryan regain his footing to walk the path he saw so clearly as a boy? This inspiring graphic novel for young adults is based on a true story.” — publisher
Boys Don’t Fry
“Jin loves the aromas and the bubbly chatter coming from his kitchen. He loves to breathe in the bright citrusy notes of kaffir lime leaves and the zesty tang of lemongrass as his aunties float around as they dice, slice, and cook for the New Year. There’s nothing he wants more than to learn about the history of his family’s cooking, and lend them a helping hand. But his aunties try to shoo him away, claiming that he’ll just get bored or be in the way. Luckily, his grandma intervenes and asks Jin to help her prepare their special New Year’s dinner, creating a delicious tale filled with sweetness and spice that aims to warm the heart (and the stomach). A heartfelt celebration of family, honoring one’s culture, and traditions, old and new.” — publisher
Chef Edna: Queen of Southern Cooking, Edna Lewis
“Edna loved to cook. Growing up on a farm in Freetown, Virginia, she learned the value of fresh, local, seasonal food from her Mama Daisy, how to measure ingredients for biscuits using coins, and to listen closely to her cakes to know when they were done. Edna carried these traditions with her all the way to New York, where she became a celebrated chef, who could even turn traditional French food into her signature Southern style. The author of several cookbooks and the recipient of numerous awards, Chef Edna introduced the world to the flavors of her home.” — publisher
Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods
“Do you know the stories behind delectable dishes—like the fun connection between scallion pancakes and pizza? Or how dumplings cured a village’s frostbitten ears? Or how wonton soup tells about the creation of the world? Separated into courses like a Chinese menu, these tales—based in real history and folklore—are filled with squabbling dragons, magical fruits, and hungry monks. This book will bring you to far-off times and marvelous places, all while making your mouth water. And, along the way, you might just discover a deeper understanding of the resilience and triumph behind this food, and what makes it undeniably American.” — publisher
Eagle Drums
“As his family prepares for winter, a young, skilled hunter must travel up the mountain to collect obsidian for knapping—the same mountain where his two older brothers died. When he reaches the mountaintop, he is immediately confronted by a terrifying eagle god named Savik. Savik gives the boy a choice: follow me or die like your brothers. What comes next is a harrowing journey to the home of the eagle gods and unexpected lessons on the natural world, the past that shapes us, and the community that binds us.” — publisher
Gigi and Ojiji: Food for Thought
“Gigi tries natto—a traditional Japanese food. But will she like it as much as peanut butter? This Level Three I Can Read series by author-illustrator Melissa Iwai follows Gigi, a biracial six-year-old who learns about her Japanese culture from her grandfather when he comes to stay. Ohayo! It’s breakfast time and Gigi can’t wait to make her favorite meal—peanut butter toast. Yummy! But Ojiji doesn’t like peanut butter. How can anyone NOT like peanut butter? Ojiji prefers Japanese foods—like natto, made from fermented soybeans. Will Gigi learn to love a new breakfast treat? This newest work in the series highlights the close relationship of Gigi and her grandfather and trying new things!” — publisher
