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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Samuel’s Choice

2012

by Richard Berleth and James Watling

"Samuel is a fourteen-year-old enslaved African American in Brooklyn in 1776 when the fighting between the British and the colonists reaches his doorstep. "Liberty ain't for Africans," says fellow servants. "It got nothin' to do with us." But his friend Sana says, "Nobody here's gonna be free unless they take the risk." Soon the well-equipped Redcoats have trapped ragged American soldiers, who have no boats to escape, and a terrible storm blows up. Samuel, a strong boatman, must decide what he should do." -- publisher

Down on James Street

2021

by Nicole McCandless and Byron Gramby

"The moon lit the riverbank as George and Dorothy each made their way to the teen dance hall. It’s 1935, and sons and daughters of black and white workers in Pittsburgh look forward to having some fun dancing the Lindy Hop, until the police come in and break up the dance…with their bully clubs.The teens all scatter, but Dorothy has a plan to save the dance. Is George ready to join the fight? Or will he play it safe and just go home to his family? Down on James Street is based on a real historical incident in 1930’s Pittsburgh. Today, young and old can take inspiration from this wonderful story of courage and solidarity, with gorgeous illustrations by Byron Gramby that summon up the style and the cool of that long-gone era." -- publisher

Spell it Like Samar

2020

by Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Saliha Caliskan

"An empowering story of persistence and believing in yourself! Samar has recently moved to America from Syria, and everything is new. Even the jump rope games at recess are unfamiliar. It doesn't help that Jenna, the class bully, keeps making fun of Samar's accent. Samar decides to enter the school spelling bee to prove once and for all that she's smarter than everyone thinks! But learning the words turns out harder than she thought. Can Samar be persistent and compete in the school spelling bee?" -- publisher

A New York Year

2016

by Tania McCartney and Tina Snerling

"Five little children take you on a fun-filled journey through twelve months in the life of New York's kids. Meet Madison, Alexander, Fabian, Sophia, and Jayla — New York kids representing a blend of culture and race that typifies this impressive state. They’ll take you through a year in the life of children living in New York, from celebrations, traditions and events, to the everyday way of life and the little things that make childhood so memorable. Its pages are laid out clearly by month, showcasing five New York children at play, at school, at home, and enjoying the sights and sites of New York. Feature meandering text and gorgeous illustrations, it pinpoints the highlights of a young person’s New York year in vibrant and lively detail. A New York Year is a picture book showcasing the cultural diversity of the state. It’s a snapshot of New Yorkers, blending modern-day culture and lifestyle with longstanding traditions. Children and adults alike will be swept up in this beautiful depiction of life in another culture. From the spectacular Niagara Falls and Adirondack Mountains to the beaches of Long Island, and the dazzling lights of Manhattan, this is a New York childhood." -- publisher

Beignets for Breakfast

2019

by Jeanette Weiland and Allison Lemon

"Ever wonder what it’s like to be a New Orleans baby? Or what it means to miss New Orleans? Let the playful rhyming verse and vivid illustrations in Beignets for Breakfast transport children to one of the greatest cities in the world. In Jeanette Weiland's picture book, Beignets for Breakfast, a parent and child read together, recognize together, and enjoy their days in New Orleans together. Enhanced by vibrant scenes of iconic New Orleans landmarks and traditions, Beignets for Breakfast awakens readers to all that makes the city such a unique place to grow up in or visit. Each oversized page features magical watercolor paintings by Allison Lemon. The pops of color capturing the scenes and spirit of New Orleans invite close inspection and repeated requests as a favorite read." -- publisher

Red Beans & Rice

2020

by Jeanette Weiland and Roberta Van Zandt Loflin

"Inspired by the true story of a young girl who did not know that peaches have fuzzy skin and grow on trees, Jeanette Weiland’s Red Beans & Rice is a playful and polite farm visit where kids from culturally diverse backgrounds discover the local and sustainable earth to table connection. Red Beans & Rice is a lively read, encompassing multiple characters, with hand-drawn typography highlighting the children’s voices. Young readers will enjoy spotting hidden treasures throughout the pages along with the creatures and critters that share a home in this delicious region of Louisiana. Aspiring chefs will appreciate the extras, including a kid-friendly red beans and rice recipe from restauranteur Dickie Brennan and a vegan version of the dish by Sweet Potato Soul author and blogger, Jenné Claiborne, among others." -- publisher

Charlotte and The Nutcracker

2021

by Charlotte Nebres and Alea Marley

"A reimagined and modern take on the holiday favorite, this picture book weaves together the classic Christmas tale of The Nutcracker and the true-life story of 12-year-old ballerina Charlotte Nebres, the first Black girl to play Marie in the New York City Ballet’s production. The only thing Charlotte loves as much as ballet is Christmas. So, when she gets the opportunity to play Marie in the New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker, she leaps at the chance. Dancing takes practice-hours of adjusting her arms and perfecting her jumps. With the help of her Trinidadian and Filipino families, encouragement from her sister, and a view of her mom and dad in the audience, Charlotte finds the strength to never give up. In this spectacular debut full of fluid, dynamic illustrations, Charlotte provides youngsters with a multicultural tale of family, dance, and holiday cheer." -- publisher

One Whole Me

2021

by Dia Mixon and Natalia Jiménez Osorio

"Being bicultural is a wonderful thing! Follow along as a Colombian-American child embraces both cultures that make him unique. This lighthearted story, written in Spanglish, showcases languages, food, family, music, and more. It will inspire children to be proud of who they are and to never forget what makes them special!" -- publisher

Beautiful Jim

2021

by Jodie Parachini and Dragan Kordic

"Told in the first person as if written by Beautiful Jim himself, this is the story of the sensation in the late 1800s and early 1900s: a horse whose owner, Doc Key, a formerly enslaved man who loved animals, taught to read, write, and do math. Reading Jim's diary and the story, we learn how, together with Doc Key, Jim performed all over the United States, even for two presidents, while promoting kindness to animals." -- publisher

A Bear For Bimi

2021

by Jane Breskin Zalben and Yevgenia Nayberg

"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

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641 matching books

Samuel’s Choice

Down on James Street

Spell it Like Samar

A New York Year

Beignets for Breakfast

Red Beans & Rice

Charlotte and The Nutcracker

One Whole Me

Beautiful Jim

A Bear For Bimi