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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5013 matching books

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Trouble: An Ethiopian Trading Adventure in Amharic and English

2020

by Jane. Kurtz and Durga Yael Bernhard

"Tekleh doesn’t mean to cause trouble but everywhere he goes, it follows. When his exasperated father carves him a gebeta (also called mancala) gameboard to keep him occupied, he has no idea the chain of events to come! Follow a curious young Ethiopian boy as he tends his goats and stumbles upon a series of unusual encounters that help him learn not only the value of goods, but of giving. As he trades his gebeta for a knife, a masinko, a drum, some corn and a papaya, he discovers the value of generosity and compassion. Bilingual text supports established readers in developing vocabulary and fluency in indigenous Ethiopian languages." -- publisher

The First Blade of Sweetgrass

2021

by Gabriel Frey, Suzanne Greenlaw and Nancy Baker

"Musquon must overcome her impatience while learning to distinguish sweetgrass from other salt marsh grasses, but slowly the spirit and peace of her surroundings speak to her, and she gathers sweetgrass as her ancestors have done for centuries, leaving the first blade she sees to grow for future generations. This sweet, authentic story from a Maliseet mother and her Passamaquoddy husband includes backmatter about traditional basket making and a Wabanaki glossary." -- publisher

Powwow Summer

2013

by Marcie Rendon and Cheryl Walsh Bellville

"Travel the powwow trail with an Anishinaabe family, the Downwinds of Red Lake, as they gather with relatives and friends to lift up the traditions of their people through ceremonies and dances. Life is a circle, just like the seasons, from youth through old age. The circle of the year brings seasonal rituals: a winter of preparation followed by a summer of powwows. Sharyl and Windy Downwind and their children travel from their home on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota to powwows all around the region. For the past year, their oldest daughter, Shian, has been honored as junior princess for Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School. At the Leech Lake Memorial Day gathering, Shian will hand over her crown to the next princess. Later that summer, the family attends the Red Lake Fourth of July powwow seeking healing and comfort. Windy is mourning his mother, who recently passed away, and also honoring her by dancing at the powwow. At ceremonies and in daily life, Windy and Sharyl celebrate Anishinaabe culture by teaching their children traditional skills, dance steps, and lifeways, all part of the circle of community and the seasons and life." -- publisher

Sakamoto’s Swim Club

2021

by Julie Abery and Chris Sasaki

"When the children of workers on a 1930s Maui sugar plantation were chased away from playing in the nearby irrigation ditches, local science teacher Soichi Sakamoto had an idea. He offered to take responsibility for the children --- and then he began training them how to swim. Using his science background, Sakamoto devised his own innovative coaching techniques: he developed a strict practice regime for the kids, building their strength and endurance by using the ditch water's natural current. The children worked hard under the dedicated Sakamoto's guidance, and their skills improved. They formed a swim club and began to dominate in swimming events around the world. And then one day, the proud Sakamoto saw an impossible dream come true --- Olympic gold!" -- publisher

‘Iwalani’s Tree

2016

by Constance Hale and Kathleen Peterson

"On the North Shore of Oahu, a girl named 'Iwalani lives with her family not far from Kaena Point, at the island s westernmost tip. 'Iwalani likes to wander down the beach to a place where an ironwood tree stands as a windbreak--just on the spot where the land becomes sand. The tree is 'Iwalani's playground, jungle gym, secret friend, and wise elder, all in one. From the ironwood she learns about the cycles of nature, the promise of imaginative freedom, and the power of dreams. Written as a gentle poem, with soft rhythms and playful language, 'Iwalani's Tree is the perfect bedtime book. Like a soft wind, it will lull your child to sleep." -- publisher

Kai Goes to the Farmers Market in Hawai’i

2019

by Catherine Toth Fox and Mariko Merritt

"Kai wakes up hungry. What's a kid to do when there's no food in the fridge? Kai's mom tells him to grab his hat and off they go to visit the farmers market where they see all kinds of local food--fruit and veggies galore. Kai is surprised to learn everything he sees is grown right here in Hawaii. A recipe is included in the back of the book." -- publisher

Keala and the Hawaiian Bird

2017

by Patricia McLean and Holly Braffet

"Every fine morning, when the sun starts to rise Over the mountains in the blue Maui sky, Keala is woken by birds in the trees, Greeting the day with their sweet symphony. Until...one morning Keala hears a new, strange sound. What kind of bird could it be? A delightful story told in rhyme will give kids an idea of what it's like growing up in Hawaii where bird song is always in the air. Keala, a curious young girl, wakes up every morning to the sounds of chirping, squawking, and crowing. Then one day, Keala hears another sound....a screech. What kind of bird makes that sound? Keala searches around her home to find out." -- publisher

Uncle’s Magic Thrownet

2014

by Todd Yamashita and Jamie Meckel Tablason

"Uncle's magic thrownet was magic indeed. It could catch every fish that there was in the sea. But a young visitor soon finds that all is not what it seems with Uncle's old net. Set in the warmth of the Hawaiian islands, generosity, conservation, integenerational learning, and discovery are all shared in this new classic fishing tale." -- publisher

The Bravest ‘Opihi

2014

by Juliet S. Kono and Dennis Fujitake

"Nani and her brother, Ikaika, go swimming at a beach shaped like the smile of the moon. Ignoring their mother's warning, they soon swim out much too far. Beneath the waves lies a giant eel who, before the children can stop him, grabs Ikaika by the leg and drags him to his underwater cave. Frantic, Nani turns to the sea creatures for help. One by one, each animal refuses her teary plea until, surprisingly, the smallest of them all meets the challenge and comes to the rescue proving that even the tiniest creatures can be the bravest." -- publisher

Milo’s Endless Drawing Pad

2019

by Sheri Tomamoto and Vivian Mineker Chen

"Milo is frustrated that his drawings don't turn out the way he sees them in his head. His grandpa encourages him to keep drawing, but Milo has used up all the paper. Milo's grandpa says he doesn't need paper to draw. They go outside and onto the beach. Milo picks up a long, long stick and drags it behind him in the sand. Noticing that his stick has made a mark in the sand, Milo's grandpa starts to draw pictures. As he finishes a drawing, a wave comes and washes it away so he can try again. Milo draws with his stick as well and learns that his drawings don't have to be perfect; he just has to keep on drawing. This simple yet heartwarming story is for any budding artist who needs a gentle reminder that it s the process of creating that counts and all you need is endless imagination." -- publisher

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5013 matching books

Trouble: An Ethiopian Trading Adventure in Amharic and English

The First Blade of Sweetgrass

Powwow Summer

Sakamoto’s Swim Club

‘Iwalani’s Tree

Kai Goes to the Farmers Market in Hawai’i

Keala and the Hawaiian Bird

Uncle’s Magic Thrownet

The Bravest ‘Opihi

Milo’s Endless Drawing Pad