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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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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

Biography/Autobiography Oppression & Resilience

Only This Beautiful Moment

2023

by Abdi Nazemian

“2019. Moud (short for Mahmoud) is an out gay teen living in Los Angeles with his distant father, Saeed. When Moud gets the news that his grandfather in Iran is dying, he accompanies his dad to Tehran, where the revelation of family secrets will force Moud into a new understanding of his history, his culture, and himself. 1978. Saeed is an engineering student with a promising future ahead of him in Tehran. But when his parents discover his involvement in the country’s burgeoning revolution, they send him to safety in America, a country Saeed despises. And even worse—he’s forced to live with the American grandmother he never knew existed. 1939. Bobby, the son of a calculating Hollywood stage mother, lands a coveted MGM studio contract. But the fairy-tale world of glamour he’s thrust into has a dark side. Set against the backdrop of Tehran and Los Angeles in three different eras, this sweeping tale of intergenerational trauma and love is an ode to the fragile bonds of family, the hidden secrets of history, and all the beautiful moments that make us who we are today.” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity Oppression & Resilience

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

Biography/Autobiography Oppression & Resilience

A Crane Among Wolves

2024

“To save her sister, a teen girl becomes entangled in a political conspiracy with an enigmatic prince in this fiery new YA novel from the bestselling author of The Red Palace. Joseon (Korea), 1506. The people suffer under the reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan, powerless to stop him from kidnapping and abusing women and girls. Iseul has lived a sheltered life. When her sister becomes the king’s latest prey, Iseul leaves her village in hopes of stealing her sister back. But the king’s power is absolute, and to challenge his rule is certain death. Prince Daehyun lives in the shadow of his despicable half brother, the king, and aches to find a way to dethrone the king once and for all. When staging a coup, failure is fatal, and he’ll need help to pull it off—but there’s no way to know whom he can trust. When Iseul’s and Daehyun’s fates collide, their contempt for each other is transcended only by their mutual hate for the king.” — publisher

Oppression & Resilience

Nour’s Secret Library

2022

by Vali Mintzi

“Forced to take shelter when their Syrian city is plagued with bombings, young Nour and her cousin begin to bravely build a secret underground library. Based on the author’s own life experience and inspired by a true story, Nour’s Secret Library is about the power of books to heal, transport and create safe spaces during difficult times. Illustrations by Romanian artist Vali Mintzi superimpose the colorful world the children construct over black-and-white charcoal depictions of the battered city.” — publisher

Oppression & Resilience

The Fox Maidens

2024

“Kai Song dreams of being a warrior. She wants to follow in the footsteps of her beloved father, the commander of the Royal Legion. But while her father believes in Kai and trains her in martial arts, their society isn’t ready for a girl warrior. Still, Kai is determined. But she is plagued by rumors that she is the granddaughter of Gumiho, the infamous nine-tailed fox demon who was killed by her father years before. Everything comes crashing down the day Kai learns the deadly secret about her mother’s past. Now she must come to terms with the truth about her identity and take her destiny into her own hands. As Kai desperately searches for a way to escape her fate, she comes to find compassion, and even love, in the most unexpected places. Set in 16th century Korea and richly infused with Korean folklore, The Fox Maidens is a timeless and powerful story about fighting for your place in the world, even when it seems impossible.” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity Folklore Oppression & Resilience

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