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.
Find titles using a keyword search below (e.g. adoption, birthday, holidays, etc.), or by selecting one or a combination of filters on the lefthand sidebar below.
First time here? Start here!
30 matching books
Show Filters
Meet a Nurse!
"Join Emma and Theo as they meet a nurse in their community! Emma and Theo were playing freeze tag in gym class when suddenly Emma couldn't catch her breath. Luckily the school nurse was on hand to help in the emergency-and to provide the ongoing care Emma needs. Share the excitement as Nurse Henry helps Emma manage her asthma-and gives the kids a first-hand look at a school nurse's job." -- publisher
How Our Skin Sparkles
"This story takes a peak at Indian culture and talks about how kids can really see everyone as they are inside. A must have for any child who wants to learn about how they truly sparkle! " -- publisher
Meet a Librarian
"Join Emma and Theo as they meet a librarian in their community! Emma and Theo were working together on a class project about shark's teeth. A trip to their school library and the local branch put the kids in touch with two librarians who were more than happy to help. Share the excitement as their school librarian and Ms. McMahon help Emma and Theo find all the information they need-and gives the kids a first-hand look at a librarian's job." -- publisher
Meet a Teacher!
"Join Emma and Theo as they meet a teacher in their community! Emma won an essay contest at school and now she gets to be teacher for a day! Of course, Emma chose her best friend, Theo, to help her out as she took over for their teacher Ms. Graham. Share the excitement as Ms. Graham shows Emma how to lead the class for a day-and gives the kids a first-hand look at a teacher's job." -- publisher
Sometimes When I’m Mad
"Help young children recognize difficult feelings and learn anger management techniques. Award-winning author and psychologist Dr. Deborah Serani and illustrator Kyra Teis team up again for a companion to Sometimes When I’m Sad that tackles the difficult feeling of anger. Anger is often an overwhelming emotion for children. Using gentle and straightforward language, Sometimes When I'm Mad describes a child's experience with anger and the many ways it can surface, along with ways children can use anger management techniques. A special section for adults offers more information on how anger is expressed by children of varying ages and discusses how to help children manage and express their anger in healthy ways. Especially useful for counselors, social workers, teachers, parents, and any other adults caring for children who struggle with anger." -- publisher
Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean
"Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean tells its story through the memories of a farm boy who, inspired by Pu Zhelong, became a scientist himself. The narrator is a composite of people Pu Zhelong influenced in his work. With further context from Melanie Chan’s historically precise watercolors, this story will immerse young readers in Chinese culture, the natural history of insects, and the use of biological controls in farming. Backmatter provides context and background for this lovely, sophisticated picture book about nature, science, and Communist China. “The first time I saw a scientist in my village was also the first time I saw a wasp hatch out of a moth’s egg,” writes the narrator of this picture book about Chinese scientist Pu Zhelong. “In that moment I could not have said which was the more unexpected—or the more miraculous.” Winner of The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award, Selected for the CCBC Choices 2019 list, Children's Literature Freeman Award 2018, A Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2019. In the early 1960s, while Rachel Carson was writing and defending Silent Spring in the U.S., Pu Zhelong was teaching peasants in Mao Zedong’s Communist China how to forgo pesticides and instead use parasitic wasps to control the moths that were decimating crops and contributing to China’s widespread famine. This story told through the memories of a farm boy (a composite of people inspired by Pu Zhelong) will immerse young readers in Chinese culture, the natural history of insects, and sustainable agriculture. Backmatter provides historical context for this lovely, sophisticated picture book. The author, Sigrid Schmalzer, won the Joseph Levenson Post-1900 Book Prize for 2018 for her book Red Revolution, Green Revolution. This is the most prestigious prize for a book about Chinese history, and the book upon which Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean is based." -- publisher
Sit with Me
"You can squat like a frog or lounge like a cat—but if you want to sit like a buddha, there are seven key steps for taking your seat. Sit with Me invites kids of all ages to learn meditation through playful rhymes and adorable illustrations. Justa Bug describes the seven-point meditation posture—from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet—in an easy and accessible way. With a spine straight like coins stacked on a plate and shoulders back like a vulture in flight, kids will learn the basics of sitting through encouraging verse. With a little practice, Sit with Me will help everyone in the family learn how to meditate easy and free." -- publisher
Who Belongs Here?
"Long an anchor text for school units on immigration and tolerance, Who Belongs Here? is now renewed in look and content. Teaching compassion for recent immigrants while sharing the important contributions made by immigrants of the past, this story is more relevant now than ever. In this probing, plain-spoken book, based on a true story, Margy Burns Knight and Anne Sibley O'Brien, author and illustrator of the acclaimed "Talking Walls," invite young readers to explore the human implications of intolerance. Anecdotes relating the experiences of other refugees and their contributions to American culture play counterpoint to Nary's tale, all enlivened by O'Brien's full-color pastels. A compendium at the end of the book offers more detailed information about Pol, Pot, Ellis Island, and other topics in this text. Who Belongs Here? will lead to discussions about The effects of war on children and families * Refugees and relocation processes in the U.S.Cambodian culture * U.S. History and attitudes towards immigration * Bullying and intolerance * Conflict-resolution skills * Lexile Level 1040, Fountas and Pinnell Level W" -- publisher
Seven Golden Rings
"In this clever, convivial picture book, an Indian boy untangles a mathematical conundrum to win a place at the Rajah's court. In ancient India, a boy named Bhagat travels to the Rajah's city, hoping to ensure his family's prosperity by winning a place at court as a singer. Bhagat carries his family's entire fortune--a single coin and a chain of seven golden rings--to pay for his lodging. But when the innkeeper demands one ring per night, and every link snipped costs one coin, how can Bhagat both break the chain and avoid overpaying? His inventive solution points the way to an unexpected triumph, and offers readers a friendly lesson in binary numbers--the root of all computing. In this clever, convivial picture book, an Indian boy untangles a mathematical conundrum to win a place at the Rajah's court. Book Link's Lasting Connection 2020 Title." -- publisher
111 Trees
"In a small village in India, a boy grows up to make a huge difference in his community by planting trees to celebrate the birth of every girl. Based on a true story, this book celebrates environmental sustainability, community activism and ecofeminism. This is the story of Sundar Paliwal, who is from a small Indian village ruled by ancient customs. As he grows to be a man, Sundar suffers much heartbreak and decides it is time for change to come to his village. Sundar is determined to live in a place where girls are valued as much as boys and where the land is not devastated by irresponsible mining. Sundar's plan? To celebrate the birth of every girl with the planting of 111 trees. Though many villagers resist at first, Sundar slowly gains their support. And today, there are over a quarter of a million trees in his village, providing food, water and opportunities for women to earn a living. His efforts have turned a once barren and deforested landscape into a fertile and prosperous one where girls can thrive. Based on true events in the life of Sundar Paliwal, and written in collaboration with him, Rina Singh's uplifting story shows how one person can make a difference in a community. Beautiful illustrations by Marianne Ferrer sensitively bring the evolution of the village to life. With strong links to the science curriculum, this book offers lessons on environmental awareness, sustainability and stewardship, as well as the concept of ecofeminism. It also explores ideas of social development, community and culture, and the character education traits of responsibility and cooperation. A thoroughly researched author's note with photographs and more information about the village of Piplantri is included." -- publisher