Our collection of picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC) is available to the public. *Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL a recommendation.* Click here for more on book evaluation.
COVID-19 Info: Currently, our collection is only available via Interlibrary Loan (ILL). However, we appreciate your patience as these services are still limited and you may find inactive links to the Bates Library Catalog and MARC record on certain book pages.
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Handa’s Noisy Night
"A cast of nocturnal creatures are the surprise stars in a funny tale about nighttime fears, set in southwest Kenya. The latest tale in the best-selling Handa series. When Handa sleeps over at her friend Akeyo’s house, she hears lots of strange sounds in the night: snorts, chattering, rattling, squeaks, slurps, wails, a big thud. Akeyo says it’s just her family, laughing, talking, playing music, riding a bike, drinking their bedtime milk. Or maybe the baby crying. Or a door slamming. But is she right? Young readers will be happy to be in on the joke as a sequence of animals pay a visit on the facing pages: a pig, fox, porcupine, bat, pangolin, bush baby, owl, and woodpecker. Illustrated in luminous colors, Eileen Brown’s humorous take on things that go bump in the night includes endpapers picturing and naming all the nocturnal creatures." -- publisher
Wherever I Go
"Of all her friends, Abia has been at the Shimelba Refugee Camp the longest—seven years, four months, and sixteen days. Papa says that’s too long and they need a forever home. Until then, though, Abia has something important to do. Be a queen." -- publisher
Empathy Airlines
"When they met, Hope, a sad girl, and Jelly Beans, a captured cheetah, began a lifelong friendship through mutual caring. The power of their surprising partnership--strengthened by empathy--connected them with a new family, the Barabaig tribe. In this highly anticipated sequel, Hope and Jelly Beans use compassionate listening to explore what brought them together." -- publisher
Light a candle / Tumaini pasipo na Tumaini
"This dual-language English and Swahili picture book is inspired by the founding of Tanzania, told through the eyes of a young boy who climbs Mount Kilimanjaro to signify the country's independence."--
Nya’s Long Walk
"Young Nya takes little sister Akeer along on the two-hour walk to fetch water for the family. But Akeer becomes too ill to walk, and Nya faces the impossible: her sister and the full water vessel together are too heavy to carry. As she struggles, she discovers that if she manages to take one step, then another, she can reach home and Mama’s care. Bold, impressionistic paintings by Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Brian Pinkney evoke the dry, barren landscape and the tenderness between the two sisters. An afterword discusses the process of providing clean water in South Sudan to reduce waterborne illness." -- publisher
Hamid’s story
This is the real-life story of 10-year old refugee Hamid, who flees Eritrea with his mother to escape the war and threats to his family from the government. Told in Hamid's own words, this story describes the hardship experienced by immigrants who are rebuilding their lives with little understanding of the language and culture of their new country.
Neema’s reason to smile
"Neema's Reason to Smile is the story of Neema, a young Kenyan girl who dreams of one day being able to afford to go to school. Slowly, and with great purpose, Neema makes a plan to save money in her dream basket and make her dream come true. One day, a mysterious young girl skips down the street wearing a red skirt and white shirt. Soon, she guides Neema all the way to a new school."-- Publisher's website
Who’s got the etrog?
When Auntie Sanyu celebrates Sukkot at her home with family and animal friends who are Ugandan Jews--the Abayudaya--Warthog will not let go of the etrog. Includes glossary and facts about the Abayudaya.
Onika wants to help
"In Tanzania, there is a little village where a girl named Onika lives. She loves to go to school with her friends. Onika, Teophani, Agnes and Elibeth each have activities they like to do at their school. What is Onika's favorite thing to do? How can Onika and her friends learn skills to help their village?"--Back cover