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.
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40 matching books
Show FiltersThe Big Bath House
"A joyful celebration of Japanese cultural traditions and body positivity as a young girl visits a bath house with her grandmother and aunties. In this celebration of Japanese culture and family and naked bodies of all shapes and sizes, join a little girl—along with her aunties and grandmother—at a traditional bath house. Once there, the rituals leading up to the baths begin: hair washing, back scrubbing, and, finally, the wood barrel drumroll. Until, at last, it’s time, and they ease their bodies—their creased bodies, newly sprouting bodies, saggy, jiggly bodies—into the bath. Ahhhhhh! With a lyrical text and gorgeous illustrations, this picture book is based on Kyo Maclear’s loving memories of childhood visits to Japan, and is an ode to the ties that bind generations of women together." --publisher
The Mermaid
"A striking, under-the-sea version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears as only Jan Brett could create When Kiniro, the mermaid, comes upon a gorgeous house made of shells and coral, she can’t resist going inside to have a look around. The octopus family is not at home, but the baby octopus’s breakfast, chair, and bed are just right for Kiniro. The bed is so irresistible, she falls asleep. That makes for quite a surprise when the octopus return home. But the baby’s shock at discovering a mermaid in her bed is forgotten when Kiniro gives her a very special gift. Intricate, colorful scenes of an underwater paradise transport this classic fairy tale to a magical land inspired by the seas off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Chock full of fish and fauna and adventure, this mermaid’s story will enchant readers of all ages." -- publisher
Issun Bôshi
"This classic Japanese fairy tale tells the story of Issun Bôshi, the tiny son of an old, long childless couple. This classic Japanese fairy tale tells the story of Issun Boshi, the tiny son of an old, long childless couple. Tiny and brave--these are the two most striking characteristics of Issun Boshi. His mother had longed to have a child for so many years that she finally added "even if it is a very small one" to her wish. When the elderly couple did in fact bear a son, he turned out to be only one inch high. He was thus called Issun Boshi, Japanese for one-inch boy. Although his parents raised him very lovingly, Issun Boshi realized one day that he would not grow any taller. He then left his home to set off on a journey to find his place in the world. Because he saw himself as a swordfighter, a samurai, he made sure to take along the right equipment: a needle was his sword, a soup bowl was his boat, and a chopstick was its rudder. As in any proper fairy tale, Issun Boshi is tested in several adventures. He handles himself so bravely that, in the end, he is rewarded with just the right princess." -- publisher
Kamishibai Man
"The Kamishibai man used to ride his bicycle into town where he would tell stories to the children and sell them candy, but gradually, fewer and fewer children came running at the sound of his clappers. They were all watching their new televisions instead. Finally, only one boy remained, and he had no money for candy. Years later, the Kamishibai man and his wife made another batch of candy, and he pedaled into town to tell one more story-his own. When he comes out of the reverie of his memories, he looks around to see he is surrounded by familiar faces-the children he used to entertain have returned, all grown up and more eager than ever to listen to his delightful tales. Using two very different yet remarkable styles of art, Allen Say tells a tale within a tale, transporting readers seamlessly to the Japan of his memories." -- publisher
The Sound of Silence
Yoshio delights in the everyday sounds of Tokyo, but when a musician tells him that her favorite sound is ma, the Japanese word for silence, Yoshio sets out to hear this sound for himself among the hustle and bustle of the city. Includes information on the Japanese concept of ma
The phone booth in Mr. Hirota’s garden
"This gorgeously illustrated picture book tells the story of a young Japanese boy who loses his dad in a tsunami."--
Luna and the Moon Rabbit
"Inspired by Asian folklore, this is the magical tale of a young girl who befriends the giant rabbit who lives in the Moon and goes with it on a soothing, dreamlike adventure." --Page 4 of cover
Natsumi!
The festival of traditional Japanese arts is coming up, and little Natsumi's big personality is too much for her family's quieter traditions, until her grandfather introduces her to taiko drumming.
Tsunami!
A wealthy man in a Japanese village, whom everyone calls Ojiisan, which means grandfather, sets fire to his rice fields to warn the innocent people of an approaching tsunami.
Ojiichan’s gift
A young girl finds a way to give the gift of a traditional Japanese garden back to her beloved grandfather and accept a difficult change. |cProvided by publisher