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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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Amir and the Jinn Princess

2024

by M. T. Khan

“Twelve-year-old Amir is one of the heirs to the Rafiq Bricks Company, a wealthy brick kiln business in Pakistan—except he wants none of it. Seeing straight through the jeweled smiles and transactional conversations, Amir would rather spend time in the courtyard garden, where he can almost feel his missing mother’s presence again. Amir is devastated when his baba announces plans to remarry by the end of the summer, dropping all searches to find Amir’s mother. It’s all a business move, just like everything else in his life. His mother was the only one who allowed him to feel normal, but the last anyone’s seen of her was a year ago. But Amir isn’t ready to give up yet—determined to find his mother before his life changes forever, Amir teams up with a high-spirited, wide-eyed, shape-shifting jinn princess named Shamsa. His exact opposite. The two make a deal—Shamsa will help Amir navigate the twisty and mysterious realm of jinn, and in exchange Amir must use his wits to help Shamsa win a tournament of heirs and put her on the throne. Amir and Shamsa must contend with silver-tongued tricksters and magical rivals, and a truth far more devastating than Amir ever expected.…” — publisher

Folklore

Beware the Heartman

2024

“For once, everything in twelve-year-old Josephine’s life is going according to plan. She’s finally proved that girls belong on the cricket team and earned a spot as a starting player! And she’s confident that she and her best friend, Ahkai, will both be accepted to their dream secondary school. Nothing can stop Jo now — not even the memory of the vengeful sea spirit she vanquished last year. But then a series of disasters strike. Ahkai suddenly seems to have a new best friend — the annoyingly perfect Lynne. Then Jo isn’t accepted to the same school as Ahkai! Even worse, Jo keeps having eerie encounters with a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows — a figure who bears an unsettling resemblance to the fearsome Heartman rumored to steal children’s hearts… Jo doesn’t know where to turn. With Daddy away, the only person who’ll believe her is Ahkai, but Jo is too proud to ask for help after being replaced. By the time she musters the courage to approach him, it’s too late. Ahkai has disappeared without a trace. He’s been taken by the Heartman. None of the adults believe Jo. The Heartman is just a legend, after all. But Jo knows that the fearsome creature is real and that if she doesn’t find his lair soon, Ahkai will be lost forever.” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity Folklore

Darker by Four

2024

“When an accident causes Rui’s power to transfer to Yiran, everything turns upside down. Without her magic, Rui has no tool for vengeance. With it, Yiran finally feels like he belongs. That is, until Rui discovers she might hold the key to the missing death god and strikes a dangerous bargain with another King. As darkness takes over, three paths intersect in the shadows. And three lives bound by fate must rise against destiny before the barrier between worlds falls and all Hell breaks loose—literally.” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity

Take Me to Laolao

2024

“There’s nothing that Lili loves more than celebrating the Spring Lantern Festival with her family. But this year, Lili’s beloved lăolao wasn’t at the festivities. Though it’s one of Lili’s favorite days of the year, she can’t help but wish, as she drifts off to sleep, that Lăolao were still there. That night, the first full moon of the new year invites Lili on an incredible journey. She’ll travel to the bottom of the sea on the back of a talking boat to visit the Dragon King and past the misty clouds to see the Jade Emperor in the Celestial Palace. But will Lili get to see the one person she wants to see most in the entire world before the night is over?” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity

The Ramadan Drummer

2024

by Sahtinay Abaza and Dinara Mirtalipova

“It all begins one unforgettable night during Ramadan when Adam awakens to a resounding BANG! BANG! BANG! It’s the melodious call of the Ramadan Drummer, whose mission is to rouse the neighborhood for their pre-dawn meal before the day’s fast. As Adam ventures through the dimly lit streets alongside the drummer, he discovers that every act of kindness during Ramadan is a blessing multiplied tenfold. “The Ramadan Drummer” is a window into the rich tradition of the Ramadan Drummer, a beloved figure who once strolled the Middle Eastern streets before dawn, ensuring everyone was awake for their pre-fast meal. His dedication was a source of joy for children, and people expressed their gratitude with food and gifts, keeping this beautiful tradition alive.” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity

The Spindle of Fate

2024

“Twelve-year-old Evie Mei Huang never did like helping in her mom’s tailor shop. She hated dyeing and spooling the thread and how the measuring tape gets all twisted up. Most of all, now that her mother has died, she hates that she isn’t here anymore. When the universe sends a life preserver, Evie knows to grab it. So it’s weird when a talking monkey shows up and tells her that her plain, hardworking tailor mother was actually the head of a guild of magical weavers who control the fate of humanity. He also comes bearing the information that her mother is trapped in Diyu, the Chinese underworld, and that only Evie can get her back. No pressure. But the important thing is that Evie’s mom isn’t dead. And if she’s got this one shot to bring her back and save her family, she’s got to take it.” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity

Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods

2023

by Grace Lin

“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

Centering Culture & Identity Folklore Informational

Attack of the Dragon King: Tiger Warrior, 1

2021

by Maisie Chan and Alan Brown

“When Jack’s grandpa gives him a magical jade coin, he learns that all the stories of the Jade Kingdom are real! Will he learn to harness the skills of the magical zodiac creatures in order to successfully defeat the Dragon King? As the new Tiger Warrior, it’s up to Jack to save the Jade Kingdom. Luckily, he has by his side the amazing Princess Li, along with the magical animals of the Chinese Zodiac, as he confronts deadly demons and spine-tingling spirits in these electrifying, dynamically illustrated adventures.” -publisher

Centering Culture & Identity

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