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!
10 matching books
Show Filters
Harley the Hero
"An exciting picture book inspired by a real-life classroom service dog with themes of friendship, neurodivergence, and courage An exciting picture book inspired by a real-life classroom service dog with themes of friendship, neurodivergence, and courage Harley the service dog is on the job! He goes to school every day with Ms. Prichard to make sure she feels safe. Their students are a lot of fun, but Harley can’t play with them while he’s wearing his work vest. They write him lots of letters instead, and everything is perfect in the best, most quiet class in the whole school. Until the day the old stage curtains catch fire. As the fire alarm blares and chaos erupts, Harley remembers that Ms. Prichard isn’t the only human in his class who gets upset by loud noises. Inspired by a true story, Harley the Hero celebrates the work of service animals and the normalization of neurodivergence. Author-illustrator Peggy Collins brings Harley and his class to charming life and concludes with an Author’s Note about the real dog behind the fictional Harley." -- publisher
Stop That Poem!
"Eric Ode's playful exploration of the active nature of poems, and how they can shape and transform our world combines with exquisite, energetic illustrations by Jieting Chen." -- publisher
48 Grasshopper Estates
"A little girl uses imagination and inventiveness to spread friendship through her community. But will she find a friend of her own? Whether it’s a supersonic sandwich maker or a twelve-tailed dragon, Sicily Bridges can make almost anything from materials she finds around her apartment complex. But when it comes to making friends, Sicily has yet to find the perfect fit. With a diverse cast of characters brought to life by illustrator Erika Medina, Sara de Waal’s whimsical debut emphasizes the power of imagination and finding companionship where you least expect it." -- publisher
Joey Goes to the Dentist
"Joey explains what to expect during a visit to the dentist - he describes how x-ray machines work, why you need to wear a bib, and lists the different kinds of tools that dentists use. This book will be a source of information for families of children with ASDs or related conditions, and the professionals who work with them, including dentists. Hi! My name is Joey. I'm 5 years old. In a couple of days, I am going to the dentist.' Many children find the experience of visiting the dentist an uncomfortable one, and Joey is no exception. He has Asperger Syndrome, which makes him particularly sensitive to the sensations that he experiences during a visit to the dentist: the feeling of cold instruments in his sensitive mouth, the piercing sound of the drill and the strong taste of mouthwash. He also dislikes the invasion of personal space which a trip to the dentist always involves. However, Joey has strategies that will help him and other children to cope. Before he visits the dentist, he marks the date of the visit on his calendar, he practises counting his teeth with his dad, and also opening his mouth for other people to take a look inside. This colourful picture book features photographs throughout. It will be a source of information and advice for families of children with autism spectrum disorders or related conditions, and the professionals who work with them, including dental professionals." -- publisher
Going Up!
"An elevator ride to a birthday party turns into a shared experience bursting with joy in this multicultural story about community, togetherness and the special feeling of belonging. Today is Olive's birthday party, and Sophie and her dad have baked cookies. Sophie's dad holds the platter so Sophie can push the elevator button for the tenth floor. But on the way up, the elevator stops to let the Santucci brothers get on. Then on the next floor, Vicky, Babs and their dog, Norman, get in. And as the elevator ascends, it keeps stopping, and more neighbors squeeze in to the crowded space: the Habibs, the Flores family, Mr. Kwan, Vi Tweedle with her Chihuahua, Minx. Everyone is going to the party! Playfully combining the excitement and anticipation of a party with children's universal love of riding in elevators, Sherry J. Lee's picture book story is ultimately about community and a sense of belonging. With characters from many cultural backgrounds, it showcases the everyday diversity that many urban children experience. Charlene Chua's illustrations provide loads of funny details and visual narratives that aren't in the text, making for a multilayered reading experience. The book's tall, narrow trim size adds to the effect of the rising elevator." -- publisher
David Jumps In
"It is David's first day at his brand-new school. He doesn't know anyone. At recess, he stands alone and watches the other children enjoying their activities on the playground, from practicing soccer moves and climbing monkey bars to playing hopscotch and daydreaming in the grass. Bundled deep inside David's pocket is a string of rubber bands, knotted and ready for a game of elastic skip. But will anyone want to try that game? he wonders. Will anyone want to play with him? With simple, lyrical free verse, Alan Woo echoes the singsong of schoolyard games to draw readers into the deeper levels of this lovely and poignant picture book story. Exploring the themes of friendship, diversity, belonging and inclusion, the book also celebrates David's self-acceptance and comfort with his own unique identity. With roots in ancient China, David's jump-rope game --- called elastic skip in the story, but known by many different names --- is a symbol for multicultural connections, linking David and his new schoolmates through the sharing of his background." -- publisher
Reptile flu
Kamal tries everything to avoid his school trip to the live reptile exhibit, but nothing works. His fear of being teased is almost as big as his fear of reptiles. Finally, in desperation, he communicates in a way everyone understands. His teacher and classmates respond to his outburst with support, finally understanding that he needs their help in order to feel comfortable.
I don’t want to wait!
Maisy is never patient. She hates waiting for her birthday, waiting to talk, waiting for attention from her sister. She interrupts, scowls, and stomps around. Everyone gets mad, and Maisy feels bad. After talking with her sister about ways to make waiting easier, Maisy starts a new approach. Eventually, she learns that having patience makes life calmer--and sometimes much nicer.
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
Why are people different colors?
Why Are People Different Colors? provides the perfect platform to explore family issues and questions that children have as they grow up and try to make sense of the world around them. Each fully-illustrated spread poses questions around the theme of identity and diversity, helping children to understand different ethnic structures, cultures, and ages and generations. Explanations and advice for parents and carers to help guide and inform their child have been compiled by two child psychologists. --Publisher