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!
97 matching books
Show FiltersFilter Results
-
Any Child 14
-
Biography 67
-
Cross Group 11
-
Africa 2
-
Alabama 8
-
Arizona 2
-
Asia 11
-
Brazil 1
-
California 10
-
Canada 4
-
China 6
-
Cuba 1
-
Delaware 1
-
Europe 5
-
Florida 1
-
France 3
-
Georgia 7
-
Germany 1
-
Idaho 1
-
Illinois 2
-
India 5
-
Italy 2
-
Japan 1
-
Kansas 3
-
Kenya 2
-
Maryland 2
-
Mexico 2
-
Michigan 1
-
Missouri 4
-
Montana 1
-
New York 14
-
Norway 1
-
Oceania 1
-
Ohio 3
-
Oklahoma 1
-
Oregon 1
-
Pakistan 1
-
Peru 1
-
Texas 3
-
Tibet 1
-
Unspecified 20
-
Virginia 1
-
Activism 28
-
Adoption 1
-
Disability 15
-
STEM 25
-
Non-Fiction 97
-
Boy/Man 73
-
Girl/Woman 72
-
Unspecified 23
-
Background 97
-
Secondary 42
Sharuko
"A fascinating bilingual picture book biography of Peruvian archaeologist and national icon Julio C. Tello, who unearthed Peru's ancient cultures and fostered pride in the country's Indigenous history. SLJ Best Books of 2020; NYPL Best Books of 2020; Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of 2020; CSMCL's Best Books of 2020; The Horn Book's Fanfare 2020 Booklist; Pura Belpré Award Illustrator Honor; The Best Children's Books of the Year in Spanish, Bank Street College of Education. Growing up in the late 1800s, Julio Tello, an Indigenous boy, spent time exploring the caves and burial grounds in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. Nothing scared Julio, not even the ancient human skulls he found. His bravery earned him the boyhood nickname Sharuko, which means "brave" in Quechua, the language of the Native people of Peru. At the age of twelve, Julio moved to Lima to continue his education. While in medical school, he discovered an article about the skulls he had found. The skulls had long ago been sent to Lima to be studied by scientists. The article renewed Julio's interest in his ancestry, and he decided to devote his medical skills to the study of Peru's Indigenous history. Over his lifetime, Julio Tello made many revolutionary discoveries at archaeological sites around Peru, and he worked to preserve the historical treasures he excavated. He showed that Peru's Indigenous cultures had been established thousands of years ago, disproving the popular belief that Peruvian culture had been introduced more recently from other countries. He fostered pride in his country's Indigenous ancestry, making him a hero to all Peruvians. Because of the brave man once known as Sharuko, people around the world today know of Peru's long history and its living cultural legacy." -- publisher
16 Words
"This simple nonfiction picture book about the beloved American poet William Carlos Williams is also about how being mindful can result in the creation of a great poem like “The Red Wheelbarrow”—which is only sixteen words long. “Look out the window. What do you see? If you are Dr. William Carlos Williams, you see a wheelbarrow. A drizzle of rain. Chickens scratching in the damp earth.” The wheelbarrow belongs to Thaddeus Marshall, a street vendor, who every day goes to work selling vegetables on the streets of Rutherford, New Jersey. That simple action inspires poet and doctor Williams to pick up some of his own tools—a pen and paper—and write his most famous poem. In this lovely picture book, young listeners will see how paying attention to the simplest everyday things can inspire the greatest art, as they learn about a great American poet." -- publisher
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read
"Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Discover the true story of Mary Walker, the nation’s oldest student who did just that, in this picture book from a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and a rising star author. In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. At 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. And at 116, she learned to read. From Rita Lorraine Hubbard and rising star Oge More comes the inspirational story of Mary Walker, a woman whose long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and who—with perseverance and dedication—proved that you’re never too old to learn." -- publisher
Above the Rim
"Winner of 2021 Orbis Pictus Award! The story of Elgin Baylor, basketball icon and civil rights advocate, from an all-star team Hall-of-famer Elgin Baylor was one of basketball’s all-time-greatest players—an innovative athlete, team player, and quiet force for change. One of the first professional African-American players, he inspired others on and off the court. But when traveling for away games, many hotels and restaurants turned Elgin away because he was black. One night, Elgin had enough and staged a one-man protest that captured the attention of the press, the public, and the NBA. Above the Rim is a poetic, exquisitely illustrated telling of the life of an underrecognized athlete and a celebration of standing up for what is right." -- publisher
Dark Was the Night
"The poignant story of Blind Willie Johnson—the legendary Texas musician whose song “Dark Was the Night” was included on the Voyager I space probe’s Golden Record Willie Johnson was born in 1897, and from the beginning he loved to sing—and play his cigar box guitar. But his childhood was interrupted when he lost his mother and his sight. How does a blind boy make his way in the world? Fortunately for Willie, the music saved him and brought him back into the light. His powerful voice, combined with the wailing of his slide guitar, moved people. Willie made a name for himself performing on street corners all over Texas. And one day he hit it big when he got a record deal and his songs were played on the radio. Then in 1977, his song—“Dark Was the Night”—was chosen to light up the darkness when it was launched into space on the Voyager I space probe’s famous Golden Record. His immortal song was selected for the way it expresses the loneliness humans all feel, while reminding us we’re not alone." -- publisher
Sometimes When I’m Sad
"A sensitive and supportive story to help young children recognize and cope with sadness. “Now when I get sad, I still cry sometimes. I still hide sometimes. But only for a little while. Because now I know ways to feel better.” Sadness can be an overwhelming emotion, especially for young children. But it’s important to know when sadness can be overcome, and when it’s indicative of a greater problem. Sometimes When I’m Sad is an invaluable self-help resource that helps children identify sadness or depression and offers helpful ways to manage it, such as: Talk about it with a parent or a trusted adult or counselor; Draw the sadness with crayons; Release tension by squishing clay; Run and jump around outside; Observe nature. The word depression is never used in the gentle, child-focused text, but this simple story offers an entrance point for both adults and children to identify and address childhood depression symptoms early. This timely resource is a wonderfully gentle way to take steps toward banishing the stigma around mental illness. A special section at the back of the book provides support for adults, from an explanation of the difference between sadness and depression to helpful tools to manage the illness. Especially useful for counselors, social workers, teachers, parents, and any other adults caring for children who struggle with dark feelings." -- publisher
The Dalai Lama
"By award-winning picture book author Demi, this is a fully illustrated nonfiction picture book that tells the story of the search for the fourteenth Dalai Lama and includes a foreword written by the Dalai Lama himself. Now in paperback for the first time. When the thirteenth Dalai Lama died in 1933, the highest holy men in Tibet searched throughout the land for his successor. They were spiritually guided to the humble dwelling of a loving family high in the Himalayas. When the search party greeted the youngest son, the child told them, "Now I am going home!" At last the fourteenth Dalai Lama had been found, and at the age of two, the young boy was taken to the capital city, Lhasa, where he began his training to become the spiritual leader of Tibet. The work of the Dalai Lama and the fate of Tibet are topics of ever-growing international focus. In simple language and glorious art, Demi pays tribute to the fourteenth Dalai Lama's remarkable life. She captures the beauty of Tibetan culture, as well as the charm, talent, and vision of one of the world's best-known spiritual figures." -- publisher
You can respect differences :
In this illustrated choose-your-own-ending book, Ben is uncomfortable when he meets Aisha, a girl in a wheelchair. Will Ben make assumptions or find out more about her? Readers make choices for Ben and read what happens next, with each story path leading to different consequences
The Mountain Man of Music
"DID YOU KNOW that music as we know it today, originates from a prince in ancient China? From a young age, Prince Zaiyu was a genius in mathematics, poetry, astronomy, and of course, music. He discovered that you only need twelve musical tones to make the most beautiful music. In The Mountain Man of Music, learn more about the life of this Chinese prince, from the time he was a crying baby to the last days of his life. Without Zaiyu, we probably would not be listening to the music of Mozart, Michael Jackson, and Eminem today!" -- publisher
The King Without a Throne
"DID YOU KNOW that Confucius was a teacher who opened the first public school in the world? Read all about his life and his brilliant ideas, which people still study today – 2,500 years later. In The King Without A Throne, discover how Confucius became one of the greatest teachers in the history of China. Together with his following of students he traveled from kingdom to kingdom to give advice to kings. Even so, he wasn’t happy. Read the book to find out why, at the end of his life, Confucius thought he was a failure." -- publisher