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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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Find titles using a keyword search below (e.g. adoption, birthday, holidays, etc.), or by selecting one or a combination of filters on the left-hand sidebar below.

59 matching books

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Aqua Boy

2024

by Ken Wilson-Max

“Aaron lives by the ocean with his sister, Angel, and his mom and dad, who are Ocean Guardians. He loves the smell of the air, the colors of the water, the sound of the waves, and the feel of sand between his toes. But unlike his sister, who dives into the waves all day long, Aaron shies away from putting his head in the water. How can he ever fulfill his dream of swimming with dolphins and whales? One day, as his family does beach cleanup after a storm, they come upon a stranded octopus. As Aaron helps his father with the rescue, he finds himself following the octopus underwater to watch it swim away. He did it! With warm illustrations and a gentle text, Ken Wilson-Max shows how environmental stewardship and empathy for the world’s animals can infuse us with unexpected bravery.” — publisher

Any Child/Teen

Mermaids’ Song to the Sea

2024

by Dianna Hutts. Aston and Renée Kurilla

“In this gorgeous rhyming picture book perfect for cozy bedtime reading, three mermaid troubadours sing their blessings to sea creatures everywhere. “Bless clams in their beds, and lobsters in pods,” they sing. “Sharks in their shivers, and squids in their squads.” Draped with leis and strumming harps, the mermaids travel the ocean to deliver a benediction to their beloved community—fish, whales, sharks, sea snails and many more. Endpapers will identify all of the featured ocean creatures in this one-of-a-kind book that honors the denizens of the sea and brims with a gentle spirit of kindness and environmental awareness. With colorful, ethereal illustrations that will have young mermaid lovers turning the pages again and again, this special picture book is ideal for gift giving, vacation/staycation readalouds, or enjoying in a group storytime anywhere.” — publisher

Any Child/Teen

Simone

2024

by Viet Thanh Nguyen and Minnie Phan

“When Simone is awakened by her mom as a wildfire threatens their home, it is the beginning of a life-changing journey. On their way to take shelter in a high school gym, the family passes firefighters from a prison unit battling the fire. Simone’s mom tells her that when she was a girl in Viet Nam, she was forced to evacuate her home after a flood. Joined by other children sheltering in the gym, Simone, a budding artist, encourages everyone to draw as a way to process their situation. After a few days, Simone and her mom are able to return to their home, which is fortunately still standing, and her outlook has changed. As Simone begins creating a piece of art with one of her new friends from the shelter, she realizes that they too can be firefighters, dreaming and working for a more sustainable future. With a poetic, haunting family story by esteemed author Viet Thanh Nguyen and gorgeous art from Vietnamese American illustrator Minnie Phan, this powerful tale introduces an unforgettable young heroine who awakens to a new role fighting for her community and for the future of the planet.” — publisher

Any Child/Teen Incidental

Sona Sharma, Looking After Planet Earth

2024

by Chitra Soundar and Jen Khatun

“When Sona learns about the climate crisis at school, she worries nobody is doing enough to combat it. So she takes up the challenge herself! But her family isn’t amused when Sona suddenly gets rid of her sister’s diapers and turns off Thatha and Paatti’s cooling fan during their nap. Sona finds a better way to implement change, at a family meeting where everyone helps make a list of ways to conserve. Energized, Sona sets her sights on the rest of the neighborhood. When she learns many of the kolams—traditional art that people draw in front of their homes to celebrate the festival season—are not eco-friendly, she makes plans for some even bigger changes. Can Sona convince everyone to get involved—even her own strong-willed grandmother?” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity

Aaron Slater and the Sneaky Snake (The Questioneers #6)

2023

by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

“Zookeeper Fred loves snakes, but his favorite is a tiny green snake named Vern. Vern is sneaky and constantly tries to hide in Fred’s lunch. When Vern gets loose in the zoo and lands atop a boy’s head, it’s trouble! A few citizens demand that all the snakes must go and the Mayor closes the zoo until the City Council decides what to do. Is Vern a menace? Are the snakes a danger to society? Or a valuable resource for everyone? Who gets to decide? The Questioneers need all their talents to help Zookeeper Fred, but in the end, it’s Aaron’s art which leads the way.” — publisher

Any Child/Teen Cross Group Informational

Aniana del Mar Jumps In

2023

by Jasminne Mendez

“Aniana del Mar belongs in the water like a dolphin belongs to the sea. But she and Papi keep her swim practices and meets hidden from Mami, who has never recovered from losing someone she loves to the water years ago. That is, until the day Ani’s stiffness and swollen joints mean she can no longer get out of bed, and Ani is forced to reveal just how important swimming is to her. Mami forbids her from returning to the water but Ani and her doctor believe that swimming along with medication will help Ani manage her disease. What follows is the journey of a girl who must grieve who she once was in order to rise like the tide and become the young woman she is meant to be. Aniana Del Mar Jumps In is a poignant story about chronic illness and disability, the secrets between mothers and daughters, the harm we do to the ones we love the most—and all the triumphs, big and small, that keep us afloat.” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity

Ava Loves Rescuing Animals (Nature Heroes 4)

2023

by Jess French and Duncan Beedle

“Ava encounters many different animals at her Grandparents’ rescue center—this book is filled with facts about the different animals they are looking after and those she spots outside on her way to the pet shop. She cuddles some kittens needing new homes, follows some animal footprints in the park and helps a turtle on the beach with the help of her grandma. Follow Ava as she shares her love of animals—discover amazing animal record breakers, learn how frog spawn grows into a frog and find out what you can learn from looking at an animal’s poo!” — publisher

Any Child/Teen Informational

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