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
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Any Child 12
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Cross Group 18
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Folklore 1
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Activism 3
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Fiction 33
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Maya 1
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Boy/Man 28
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Girl/Woman 40
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Joint Main 13
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Secondary 29
Work / Shaqo
"Help your young bilingual reader learn to read Somali with this beautifully illustrated picture book about how Ethiopians work and rest. From the bustling city markets to dusty country roads, there is always work to be done or shared. Side by side text in English and Somali support young learners of indigenous Ethiopian languages. Colorful watercolor illustrations bring the people of Ethiopia to life with rich details and supportive context. Part of the Ready, Set, Go! series of early readers from Open Hearts Big Dreams, a nonprofit devoted to supporting literacy in Ethiopia." -- publisher
Home Is in Between
"From National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins comes a sweet and innovative picture book about a first-generation immigrant child living in America. Shanti and her parents say goodbye to the monsoon rains in their Indian village. They move to a snowy town on the other side of the world. At first, it isn't easy for Shanti to be new. Back and forth she trudges between her family's Bengali traditions and her new country's culture. Again and again, in between. She feasts on biryani rice while kids in town eat hot dogs and PB&J sandwiches. She watches Bollywood movies at home and Hollywood movies with new friends. Is she still Indian? Is she becoming American? How should she define home? In this timely yet timeless picture book, critically-acclaimed author Mitali Perkins uses her own childhood to describe the experience of navigating multiple cultures and embracing the space—the hyphen—in between them." -- publisher
Welcome to Ballet School
"Welcome to your first day at ballet school! Put on your ballet shoes and let’s master your basics with author and New York City Ballet principal Ashley Bouder. Learn five basic lessons, then visit the costume room, before putting on your very own show of Sleeping Beauty at the end. There's no admissions policy to our Ballet School. Whether you are already learning ballet, or thinking about starting, this class is for you. Learn your pliés, first positions, jetés, pirouettes, and grand battements. But what happens if you fall? How do you stretch and look after your body? How do you get ready for class? No worries—it's all answered in this book from professional ballerina Ashley Bouder. Then go on to learn the characters and interpretations of Sleeping Beauty—taught in an inclusive way so anyone can dance the parts they want to. A helpful glossary at the back provides a review of ballet terms. Tutus are optional." -- publisher
A Bear For Bimi
"A timely topic celebrating the joys of a diverse neighborhood. When Bimi’s refugee family immigrates to America and moves into Evie’s neighborhood, not everybody is welcoming. But with the help of Evie’s teddy bear, Bimi’s family becomes part of the neighborhood and Evie makes a new friend." -- publisher
A Feast for Joseph
"Joseph misses sharing meals with lots of people like he did back in the refugee camp, so when the neighbors finally come over, it’s a feast! When Joseph and Mama lived in a refugee camp in East Africa, everyone cooked and ate together. And Joseph could always hear someone playing the awal. It’s much too quiet and lonely in his new home. Though Whoosh, the girl who lives upstairs, is friendly, Joseph misses having more people around, especially his grandmother, who still lives across the ocean. So he invites his relatives in the city to come for dinner, then he invites his teacher, then Whoosh and her mami — but everyone is too busy. Ever hopeful, Joseph picks the last greens from the garden. At least he and Mama will be ready to cook if someone comes. The next night Whoosh and her mami appear at the door with a big cake, and Whoosh and Joseph cook up a feast. A touching story about adjusting to a new home and the pleasure of cooking and sharing food with friends." -- publisher
Isabel and Her Colores Go to School
"English, with its blustery blues and whites, just feels wrong to Isabel. She prefers the warm oranges and pinks of Spanish. As she prepares for class at a new school, she knows she's going to have to learn--and she would rather not! Her first day is uncomfortable, until she discovers there's more than one way to communicate with friends. This is a universal story about feeling new and making new friends." -- publisher
Wanda
"Skipping Stones Honor Award Winner 2021. An empowering picture book from South Africa about a young girl who overcomes endless teasing. Meet Wanda, with her beautiful head full of hair. She is brave and strong, but she's unhappy because of the endless teasing by the boys at school for her "thorn bush" and "thunderstorm cloud." Through Grandma Makhulu's hair secrets and stories she finds the courage to face her fears and learn to appreciate that her hair is a crown‚ "not a burden‚" and it is something to be proud of. This book is about identity and beauty, celebrating how cultural pride is learned and passed on over generations." -- publisher
Stevie Wonder
"In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Stevie Wonder, the genius behind some of the world’s best-loved songs. At just 8 years old, it was clear that Steveland Judkins was going to be a star. Renamed Stevie Wonder for his astonishing talent on the piano and other instruments, he wrote and performed some of the biggest hits of the 1970s. Stevie became known for his inventiveness, his soulful voice, and the social commentary in his lyrics. He is a UN Messenger of Peace and remains one of the music world’s most iconic figures. This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the great musician’s life." -- publisher
Diarou’s Not So Different
"Diarou is starting her first week in a new school, in a new country, speaking a new language... and she feels completely alone. She moved to the U.S. from Guinea over the summer and is determined to make friends, but with her limited English, she's having trouble communicating with her classmates. Just when she thinks she might be on her own, she meets another new student who’s struggling too. Can Diarou find a way to connect across language barriers to make a true friend? The authors of this story are part of an innovative program run by Reach Incorporated. Reach develops grade-level readers and capable leaders by preparing teens to serve as tutors and role models for younger students, resulting in improved literacy outcomes for both. Learn more at reachincorporated.org. Books were created in collaboration with Shout Mouse Press. Shout Mouse is a nonprofit writing and publishing house dedicated to amplifying underheard voices. Through writing workshops that lead to professional publication, Shout Mouse empowers writers from marginalized backgrounds to tell their own stories in their own voices and, as published authors, to act as agents of change. Learn more at shoutmousepress.org" -- publisher
Nana Akua Goes to School
"In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother—whose face bears traditional tribal markings—to meet her classmates. This is a perfect read for back to school—no matter what that looks like! It is Grandparents Day at Zura’s elementary school, and the students are excited to introduce their grandparents and share what makes them special. Aleja’s grandfather is a fisherman. Bisou’s grandmother is a dentist. But Zura’s Nana, who is her favorite person in the world, looks a little different from other grandmas. Nana Akua was raised in Ghana, and, following an old West African tradition, has tribal markings on her face. Worried that her classmates will be scared of Nana—or worse, make fun of her—Zura is hesitant to bring her to school. Nana Akua knows what to do, though. With a quilt of traditional African symbols and a bit of face paint, Nana Akua is able to explain what makes her special, and to make all of Zura’s classmates feel special, too." -- publisher