Search Our Database of Nearly 2,000 Diverse Picture Books

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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The Librarian’s Stories

2021

by Lucy Falcone and Anna Wilson

"A town is left in ruins after the bombs fall. The beloved library is turned to ash. Home will never feel the same. But then one day, the Librarian appears in the square. Seated on a bench in front of the library ruins, she opens a book and begins to read aloud. The village children stop to listen. "Foolish woman," Papa says. "Too dangerous," Mama agrees, hurrying the children away. Day after day, as she returns to her post, the Librarian’s stories bring comfort to the broken hearts of the people. Little by little, seeds of hope are planted, and the town begins to heal. Inspired by the true story of the Cellist of Sarajevo, a compassionate musician who played his cello for 22 days to honor the deaths of 22 innocent people killed after the bombing of a bakery during the Bosnian war. The Librarian's Stories is a testament to the enduring connection between stories and hope." -- publisher

The Legend of the First Unicorn

2020

by Lari Don and Nataša Ilincic

"A unique origin story for one of the world's most famous magical creatures, with stunning illustrations. Once upon a time, a young prince lost his smile. It seemed nothing would make Prince Donald smile, not songs from the musician or cakes from the baker. The court magician tried to make a new magical beast for the prince, but it was so frightening he let it go. Still determined to help Donald, the magician's granddaughter, Hana, invents a majestic creature with the body of a horse and the horn of a gazelle, and calls him 'a unicorn'. Hana and Donald playfully chase the unicorn through the forest, and it seems that this magical animal might hold the key to the prince's smile. But then they discover a darker beast, lurking in the trees… This is a sparkling origin tale from the creators of The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster." -- publisher

Madison’s Patriotic Project

2007

by Vanita Braver and Carl DiRocco

"In celebration of Presidents Day, Madison creates a beautiful patriotic scrapbook that she is confident will win her the first prize and free pizza. Despite her self-assurance, her classmate Jonathan wins the prize and Madison is devastated. With gentle counseling from her parents and her stuffed animal Courage the Lion, she does the right thing and congratulates Jonathan for winning. The story highlights an important lesson: trying your best is what truly counts." -- publisher

Tough Jim

2014

by Miriam Cohen and Ronald Himler

"Jim's "Strongest Man in the World!" costume gives him the confidence he needs to stand up to a third-grade bully and save the day." -- publisher

Afia the Ashanti Princess

2020

by Crystal Boateng and Gabriela Yancheva

"Looking for an engaging book to teach children about building self-confidence, developing a sense of pride in their family history, and looking beyond tiaras and princess dresses? This is it! Afia is a young girl who dreams of being a princess but doesn't know of any princesses who look like her. She travels to Ghana to visit her grandmother and learns about her ancestor who was a brave warrior queen.This is the debut story in the Ashanti Princess and Prince book series. The purpose of this book series is to: 1. Emphasize the importance of diverse representation in children's books; 2. Introduce young girls and boys of diverse backgrounds to stories which allow them to relate to the main characters; 3. Encourage children to learn about their family history and cultural heritage; 4. Empower children to develop self-confidence and a sense of pride in their diverse family backgrounds; and 5. Inspire all readers to develop an interest in learning more about African history and culture." -- publisher

Layla’s Happiness

2019

by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Ashleigh Corrin

"Seven-year-old Layla loves life! So she keeps a happiness book. What is happiness for her? For you? Spirited and observant, Layla is a child who’s been given room to grow, making happiness both thoughtful and intimate. It’s her dad talking about growing-up in South Carolina; her mom reading poetry; her best friend Juan, the community garden, and so much more. Written by poet Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin, this is a story of flourishing within family and community." -- publisher

Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean

2018

by Sigrid Schmalzer and Melanie Linden Chan

"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

Sprouting Wings

2021

by Shari Becker, Louisa Jaggar and Floyd Cooper

"The inspirational and true story of James Herman Banning, the first African American pilot to fly across the country, comes to life in this picture book biography perfect for fans of Hidden Figures and Little Leaders. Includes art from a Coretta Scott King award-winning illustrator. James Herman Banning always dreamed of touching the sky. But how could a farm boy from Oklahoma find a plane? And how would he learn to fly it? None of the other pilots looked like him. In a journey that would span 3,300 miles, take twenty-one days, and inspire a nation, James Herman Banning proved that you can’t put barriers on dreams. Louisa Jaggar incorporates over seven years of research, including Banning’s own writings and an interview with the aviator’s great-nephew. She teams up with cowriter Shari Becker and award-winning illustrator Floyd Cooper to capture Banning’s historic flight across the United States." -- publisher

Jim’s Dog, Muffins

2008

by Miriam Cohen and Ronald Himler

"When Jim returns to school after his dog, Muffins, is hit by a garbage truck and dies, the first-graders try to share his loss and ease his pain. But Jim refuses to talk or even let anyone come near him. He does not participate in any school activities and mopes about, thinking of his beloved dog. Jim does not even choose a book when everybody else sits down to read! The wise teacher points out that Jim may need more time to feel his grief. However, on the way home from school, Paul cheers Jim up by offering him a slice of pizza and the chance to talk about his dog. Through tears of joy and sadness, Jim finally opens up and shares a sweet memory of Muffins. This reissue deals sensitively with the way children experience loss. New watercolor illustrations by Ronald Himler give the children unique personalities and help readers empathize with their experiences." -- publisher

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire!

2008

by Miriam Cohen and Ronald Himler

"When Alex, the new boy in first grade, tries to make others notice him with his boasts about rocket toys and ponies, his plan backfires. The first graders dont like liars and refuse to have anything more to do with him. However, on the day of the class Christmas party, he helps Jim look for his missing Christmas decoration, and is then given a second chance. Alex realizes that it is not difficult to make friends after all! This newly-illustrated reissue of Miriam Cohens book deals sensitively with the challenges that children face when they begin social interaction at school. Ronald Himlers new watercolor illustrations give the first graders distinctive personalities and provide a riveting picture of the everyday tragicomedy of a first grade classroom." -- publisher

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783 matching books

The Librarian’s Stories

The Legend of the First Unicorn

Madison’s Patriotic Project

Tough Jim

Afia the Ashanti Princess

Layla’s Happiness

Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean

Sprouting Wings

Jim’s Dog, Muffins

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire!