Search Our Database of Nearly 2,000 Diverse Picture Books

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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Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life

2023

by Jerry Pinkney

“Jerry’s vivid recollections and lively sketchbook drawings of his youth in postwar America tell an inspiring story of how a hardworking boy pursued his passion in less-than-ideal circumstances and became a legendary artist against all odds.” — publisher

Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains

2024

by Yuko Shimizu

“Junko Tabei dreamed of a life climbing mountains. But men refused to climb with her. Sponsors told her to stay home. And gloves were not made to fit her hands. Eager and unstoppable, Junko wouldn’t let these obstacles get in her way. Instead, she planned an expedition to summit Mount Everest with an all-women team. Battling icy peaks, deep crevasses, and even an avalanche, Junko refused to give up. She climbed step by step, up, up, ever up! After summiting the world’s tallest peak, Junko took on a new challenge: protecting the wild spaces she loved for future generations. This is a celebration of a trailblazing climber who shattered gender stereotypes invites us to dare to reach our dreams—no matter how big.” — publisher

Listening to Trees: George Nakashima, Woodworker

2024

by Holly Thompson

“Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, George Nakashima began a love story with trees that grew throughout his remarkable life as architect, designer and woodworker. During World War II, George, with his wife Marion and their baby daughter, endured incarceration in Minidoka prison camp, where he drew comfort from the discipline of woodworking. Once free, George dedicated the rest of his life to crafting furniture from fallen or discarded trees, giving fresh purpose and dignity to each tree, and promoting a more peaceful world. Author Holly Thompson narrates Nakashima’s life using haibun, a combination of haiku and prose, which twines smoothly through Toshiki Nakamura’s earthy illustrations. A foreword by Nakashima’s daughter Mira and robust back matter will deepen young readers’ understanding of woodworking and poetry and offer added insights to the work of a master artisan.” — publisher

Becoming a Ballerina: The Story of Michaela Mabinty DePrince

2025

by Olivia Duchess

In a Sierra Lione dust storm, ballet swooped into Michaela Mabinty DePrince’s life and never let her go. After her adoption brought her to the US, ballet continued to be the consoling hand that filled Michaela with a joy and hope that flowed from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes. Over time, Michaela’s love for ballet only grew, and with it, her dream of becoming a ballerina. However, there were peers who told Michaela she didn’t belong in the ballet world, that her skin and vitiligo made her too different. However, ballet had stirred in Michaela a faith and determination that would help her turn her dreams into a reality.

Pedro’s Yo-Yos: How a Filipino Immigrant Came to America and Changed the World of Toys

2024

by Carl Angel

“Pedro Flores was born in the Philippines in 1896, when Spain still ruled his country. After the US took over, Pedro traveled to California, received an education, and looked for ways to go into business for himself. Then he remembered a toy from his childhood called the yo-yo, which means “come back” in Tagalog. With a couple of blocks of wood and a little string, Pedro created his first model yo-yo and practiced tricks to show it off. It was an instant hit! When children saw the yo-yo in action, they clamored to get one themselves. So Pedro always performed his tricks near movie theaters, outside candy shops–anywhere he knew children would see the toy. Soon he was hiring fellow Filipinos to advertise it for him, while he ran factories that manufactured more than a million yo-yos a week!” — publisher

Vision: My Story of Strength

2023

“Ever since Precious Perez was a child, she has loved to sing. Born and raised outside Boston, her family joked that she’d eventually study at Berklee College of Music. But when a high school music teacher advocated for Precious’s talent, her dream became a reality. Precious was born two-and-a-half months premature and weighed just one pound. Her eyes did not develop fully, and she is blind. Growing up, most people focused on what Precious could not do because of her disability. With her teacher’s support, Precious realized all the things she could do with her disability—starting with attending Berklee. With a voice that is both accessible and engaging, Vision brings forward an empowering first-person account of a woman finding strength and purpose in her disability. The I, Witness series delivers compelling narrative nonfiction by young people, for young people.” — publisher

On the Tip of a Wave: How Ai Weiwei’s Art Is Changing the Tide

2023

by Joanna Ho and Catia Chien

“Told in Joanna Ho’s signature lyrical writing, this is the story that shines a light on Ai Weiwei and his journey, specifically how the Life Jackets exhibit at Konzerthaus Berlin came to be. As conditions for refugees worsened, Ai Weiwei was inspired by the discarded life jackets on the shores of Lesbos to create a bold installation that would grab the attention of the world. Cátia Chien masterfully portrays the intricate life of Ai Weiwei with inspirations from woodblock printing and a special emphasis on the color orange, the same color of the life jackets that became a beacon of hope. Through Cátia’s dynamic and stunning illustrations, we see how Ai Weiwei became the activist and artist he is today while proving the power of art within humanity.” — publisher

Tenzing Norgay

2024

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

“When Tenzing was young, he spent much of his childhood tending to the family’s yaks and gazing up at the Himalaya mountains, dreaming of the day he would reach the top.” — publisher

Dear Dad: Growing Up with a Parent in Prison — and How We Stayed Connected

2024

“As far back as nine-year-old Jay Jay Patton can remember, her dad, Antoine has been in prison. Growing up in Buffalo, New York with her mom and younger brother, she’s only been to visit him twice. Instead, the two have sent each other numerous letters — Jay Jay’s letters can take weeks or months to reach her dad, and some never even get delivered. What’s it going to be like having Dad home?” — publisher