It's validating for kids to meet a character in a story who has hair that resembles theirs or wears glasses just like they do. Mesmerizing, gritty story of bullied Latina teen in NYC. This is a beautifully told and illustrated story of Omu (pronounced AH-moo), who makes her... "Leila in Saffron" by Rukhsanna Guidroz. Searching for streaming and purchasing options ... Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Bright, vibrant colors often convey cheerful emotions, while dark amber and dark blues can give your illustrations a more somber feel. Complex adventure mixes immigration issues, space travel. An annual survey by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center found that of the 3,700 children’s books published in 2017, only 340 featured prominent African-American characters. Rap star's moving novel about a bully redeemed. Gripping, unnerving story of teen boy contemplating revenge. Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See? Children love to see images of themselves in the books that are read to them and in the books they read. Vivid, unique fantasy highlights friendship, family. Percy Jackson series spin-off is almost as delightful. Girl celebrates herself in poetic picture book. As a teacher, she made... Dog's Colorful Day: A Messy Story About Colors and Counting, Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business, Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors, Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors, The Little White Ball and His Big Idea: It's fun to learn your colors in English and Spanish, Griddles: Coded Coloring Pages for KIDS of All Ages (Volume 2), The Perfect Potty Zoo: The Funniest ABC Book (Potty Training Book, Rhyming Book for Kids 2-5 Years Old, Toddler Book, potty training books for toddlers, potty book) (The Funniest ABC Books 1), Alice in Wonderland: A BabyLit® Colors Primer, Playtime Learning: Counting Colors: special, The Strawberry Book of Colors (A Strawberry Book), Miles the Crocodile Plays the Colors of Jazz: Baby Loves Jazz. Kid sleuths investigate zany time-travel mystery. Fun, charming look at civil rights leader's childhood. Huyck, David and Sarah Park Dahlen… But in the U.S. where children’s books remain overwhelmingly white among a … Gripping story of a girl's bravery during Hurricane Katrina. Girl works to clear her father of a crime in smart tale. Sweet, heartwarming picture-book classic. book. Exciting tale of New York kid's journey to magical world. Celebrate diversity with these videos and children’s books about skin color.Combine these books with lessons on skin color and the beauty in all shades. Suspenseful mystery with a Lemony Snicket vibe. Compelling, nuanced tale of loving family under segregation. “The genre of children’s literature must change,” Johnson said. Striking tale of quirky girl connecting after parental loss. Gripping, heartfelt coming-of-age tale sure to hook teens. Sisters organize to build a playground in charming tale. Fun, exciting tale of Thai girl who rescues an elephant. Art-filled urban fantasy has outstanding Afro-Latina hero. Fascinating survival tale with animal facts, gory detail. Sassy sisters steal the show in well-told romantic read. Noting a general lack of dark-skinned main characters and role models in children’s books, one adoptive mother decided to write a book of her own with her daughter as the main character. Twins embrace individuality in funny book for new readers. Immigrant kid tackles racism, bullying in powerful tale. In fact, we've gathered well over 100 books to recommend for readers of all ages. Clever tale of present-day kids lost in 1864 San Francisco. Manga, art, and life lessons in top-notch mystery adventure. Fast-paced adventure with friends, zombies, and magic. Highly relatable books allow kids to identify with the characters. 123 things BIG & JUMBO Coloring Book: 123 Coloring Pages! Eccentric teen girl fights depression in moving story. Great Books to Give the Kids This Holiday. Powerful, insightful tale of self-awareness, power of art. Please, Baby, Please, by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee. Fast-paced girl-power confection made for superhero fans. Muslim teen grows up, sees prejudice Down Under. Sweet tale of biracial girl in search of lost family. Relatable tale of girl finding her voice at new school. And on top of that, they offer tons of positive roles models, especially for kids of color. The Colossal Anime Coloring Book 2020 - Volume 1: Over 50 high-quality pages of your favorite Anime characters to color in! Percy Jackson author tackles more complex Egyptology. Action-packed mystery teaches kids detective skills. Multiplatform magical beast series is a good fantasy intro. Refreshing urban read about the kids who stay out of gangs. For more great reads, check out our Books About Racism and Social Justice and Latino Books. Jubilant celebration of girls' hairstyles, hair textures. Third-grader's struggle to look cool gets him in trouble. Tami Charles is a former teacher and the author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, and nonfiction. Goal-focused Latina scores big hit in series opener. My kids are white, and they definitely need to learn about their own whiteness and about the challenges that people of color face, but I also want them to be able to read books with children of color as the protagonists, given that still the vast majority of children’s books are illustrated with white kids. One Crazy Summer book. Gorgeous tale of Native American and colonist friendship. At the top of the list of children’s books for biracial kids is Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match/Marisol McDonald No Combina. Girls forge friendship amid night of rioting in deep novel. Gripping but bloody dystopian tale will make teens think. Well-crafted tale of orphan boy's search for home. Unique African-American woman's WWII experience. Challenging ideas, big issues buoy story of Harlem teen. Girl finds role model who looks like her in inspiring tale. Stylish dystopian thriller in a not-so-future Los Angeles. Teen flees mom's killer in gripping thriller. Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus. Teen learns to love herself in uplifting tale of misfits. Funny take on fitting in and self-discovery at art school. The good news is that children's literature is roughly twice as diverse now as it was in 2012. Super relatable heroine, lots of middle school drama. No matter our skin color, ethnic, or cultural background, it’s important to read stories that show lots of different people so that we can build understanding (we are all human beings!) A poetic -- and classic -- coming-of-age story. Quiet, sometimes poetic story of teens' scholarship quest. Love story about two Iranian girls is sad but educational. Tense murder mystery stars a young Zora Neale Hurston. Provocative book about teen on trial for murder. Uplifting memoir of teen Olympic medalist, ex-foster kid. This adorable tale written by acclaimed … Girls track down a secret in compelling, lighthearted tale. All rights reserved. Moving tale of Texas Latina going to White boarding school. To encourage conversations about race and diversity with your children, check out this list of children's books to read together as a family. Black girl in white family finds her voice in moving novel. Teens must win video game to save parents in clever sci-fi. Inspiring, educational immigrant story told in free verse. Princesses team up to fight sneaky monster in funny romp. And it’s incredibly troubling. LGBTQ+ books for kids and teens account for a very small portion of the overall industry. Strong heroine, spirituality anchor gripping eco-thriller. Tween coming-of-age set amid shifting family, '60s dynamics. Honest, warm story of family, identity, police brutality. Romantic page-turner has stellar heroine of color. 13 books for young children that feature protagonists of color "Thank You, Omu" by Oge Mora. Moving verse tale of girl's experience in Darfur genocide. Haunting, complex tale of friendship best for older teens. Teens try to make murdered friend a rap star in fun caper. Well, we're a circulating collection of physical books, over 3,000 picture books, trade books, published since 2002 featuring human characters of color, BIPOC characters. Imaginative story of U.S. albino finding magic in Nigeria. These fantastic books promote diversity and inclusion and teach readers about different cultures. Fun lottery ticket quest tale explores race, class issues. Fun account of family's travel day tells all about airports. African teen thwarts deadly wish in inventive fantasy. Touching story of resourceful girl solving a family mystery. Girl faces racism, sister's cancer in touching tale. Good-hearted story about popularity's true meaning. Poignant coming-of-age tale about four 1970 Alaskan teens. What to Watch, Read, and Play While Your Kids Are Stuck Indoors, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Stoke kids' love of reading with great summer stories, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews, YouTube Kids: Qué es y cómo usarlo de manera segura, Practicando la gratitud durante las fiestas, Which Side of History? Angsty tale of Chinese American teen questioning his roots. Delightful responsibility tale avoids princess stereotypes. Sweeping story of bicultural mother-daughter friction. Victorian-era fantasy series starts with plenty of violence. Moving novel in verse about grief, family, and forgiveness. Girl learns to embrace her dark skin in magical tale. Beautiful art, positive messages in headscarf story. Romantic fantasy with Egyptian gods a fun mom-daughter read. Charming story of lonely, book-loving girl who finds friend. People Of Color Accounted For 22 Percent Of Children's Books Characters In 2016 : Code Switch In 2016, people of color wrote or illustrated fewer than a quarter of new children's books… His first children’s book, a picture book, … An infographic was recently released showing just how kids of color are underrepresented in children’s books. Timeless novel about first love and family solidarity. Boy risks all to find his dog after Hurricane Katrina. Exciting adventure of bike racing, kung fu, Chinese myth. The number of white and non-human characters is down to 85.8 percent. Boy joins a come-to-life clay soldier in exciting adventure. Powerful true story of African American women at NASA. What it’s about: A fun story about the chaos that ensues at school after a boy builds a robot. Read 3 868 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Harrowing and heartbreaking story of a school shooting. Boy and dog face danger, find friends in fast-paced tale. 3. Lovely book about wildlife teeming in and around a pond. Eighth-graders navigate race, class in savvy graphic novel. “People of color make up 70 to 83% of the global population.” Why science fiction? Creative take on quest tale marred by hurried storytelling. Argentinian teen's exciting fight to reach her soccer dream. Latina teen faces mom's cancer in award-winning verse novel. Jailed teen finds his voice in poignant novel in verse. Samba- and art-infused sci-fi for mature readers. You must have a goodreads account to vote. Books represent some of the first opportunities children have to explore the world. The Bot that Scott Built by Kim Norman, illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi . Teens and up. Gritty, honest look at teen pregnancy. Gripping search for missing dad, based on a true story. Girl uses Korean TV dramas as guide in charming romance. Bao Phi has been a performance poet since 1991. Pretty cool. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History and Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by … Lively graphic novel offers smart-girl adventures in space. Intricate historical novel contrasts Dust Bowl, fairy world. While people of color are still underrepresented in books for kids and teens, we've found lots of great reads with diverse main or supporting characters in all sorts of genres, including mystery, fantasy, romance, adventure, sci-fi, graphic novels, historical fiction, novels in verse -- you name it! Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. Girls pose as boys in suspenseful, nontraditional Western. The blues and forgiveness fuel emotional family grief tale. Riveting collection reflects common dreams, struggles. Fantastical quest explores sisterhood and Mexican legends. Kids also need to see kids just like themselves doing ordinary kid stuff like visiting the library, going to the pool, and playing in the backyard. In charming classic, a boy learns to whistle for his pup. Titular character Marisol McDonald is a Peruvian-Scottish-American with red hair and brown skin who prefers mismatched outfits and peanut butter and jelly burritos. 2. Intense '80s romance is a fabulous pick for mature teens. Heartwarming story of teen's search for her true identity. Girl beats stereotypes in powerful free-verse novel. Poignant summer adventure brims with family love and hope. Beautiful message of self-worth has gorgeous illustrations. by Vinyl Publishing | Jan 13, 2020 3.8 out of 5 stars 59 Beautiful and philosophical love story is deeply moving. 19 Awesome Children’s Books Where Black Characters Take the Lead Written by Dorian Smith-Garcia on June 23, 2020 — Fact checked by Jennifer Chesak Buy Black Exciting graphic-novel set is powerful historical fiction. Historical fiction at its best in story of '30s farmworkers. Thought-provoking saga of Inuit girl adopted by wolf pack. Newbery Honor book is a fun mystery romp. Bao Phi. And that's a circulating collection, anyone can check those books out through interlibrary loan from anywhere in the world. Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation. !, Easy, LARGE, GIANT Simple Picture Coloring Books for Toddlers, Kids Ages 2-4, Early Learning, Preschool and Kindergarten Salmon Sally 4.7 out of 5 stars 753 Groundbreaking graphic novel explores Asian stereotypes. Powerful coming-of-age tale deals with abuse, addiction. Compelling tale of Pakistani American forced into marriage. A World of Food: Discover Magical Lands Made of Things You Can Eat! Relatable stories in short chapters have good life lessons. Boy sketch artist helps catch art thieves in zippy mystery. Dramatic, complex tale has rich characters, emotional depth. Joyful, foot-tapping celebration of fresh haircut, culture. Heavy look at black kids killed due to bigotry. Cinderella as a futuristic cyborg. Gorgeous, magical story of a girl with music in her heart. Unforgettable 12-year-old girl battles the Great Depression. Children's coloring books make a great recreational activity for kids because it promotes fine motor development and hand-eye coordination, but mostly because kids love them! Powerful graphic novel explores police brutality. Fascinating story of Alaskan kids growing up in the 1960s. 46 Children’s Books with Characters of Color . Intriguing, history-minded mystery with a modern twist. Haunting look at killing of unarmed African American teen. Heartwarming story of friendship and adventure. Jubilant book conveys giddy anticipation of a birthday. Octopus adventure celebrates imagination, Latinx culture. Smart girl learns to survive alone in compelling adventure. Exciting, smart, cool version of comic book superhero teen. Soaring, poignant, novel in verse hits all the right spots. Pedal-to-the-metal graphic novel celebrates Latino culture. https://cupofjo.com/2016/10/childrens-books-featuring-kids-of-color Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Poignant story of race, identity, and doing the right thing. For children’s books published last year, approximately 22% were about people of color, and 12% were written or illustrated by people of color. Literary story of two boys' life-changing friendship. Relatable story of music-loving Native American boy in '70s. Compelling apocalyptic survival story with four LGBTQ teens. Girl conquers middle school worries in fun graphic novel. Tales of injustice masterfully blend with a dash of magic. Peter’s Chair. Gripping novel of kids filmed every five years for docu. The colors of a children’s book can contribute as much to the mood and feel of the work as design of the drawings, so make sure to consult with the author concerning the book’s hues. Swell start to a spooky but fabulous Prohibition-set series. Moving, interwoven stories of Black middle schoolers. Poignant tale of rock star's son fleeing fame, finding self. Macabre modern Ripper meets hip Brit boarding school. by Ezra Jack Keats. Teen aims to recover memories in mature psychological tale. Authentic, nuanced tale of Brooklyn boy has lots of heart. It's a great way to keep kids away from screen while doing something they enjoy. Riveting coming-of-age tale set in dangerous summer of '77. Books with Characters of Color While people of color are still underrepresented in books for kids and teens, we've found lots of great reads with diverse main or supporting characters in all sorts of genres, including mystery, fantasy, romance, adventure, sci-fi, graphic novels, historical fiction, novels in verse -- … The e-book ”Siri, Superhjälten och guldringen” topped e-book sales in Sweden for the first five months after its release. Read 3 667 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Of 3,200 children’s books published in 2013, just 93 were about black people, according to a study by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin. From board books to picture books, these books have characters with non-white skin tones and cultures –in other words, representative of the real world. White settlers force Indian family to leave land. This story by celebrated illustrator and author Ezra Jack Keats is … 1. Interned girl, Native boy find common ground in moving tale. Magic happens when twins touch in fun tween romp. Lighthearted story of sickly kid helped by huge talking dog. Playful, loving relationship shines in sweet grandpa tale. Barnes & Noble offers a fun collection of coloring books for kids, many featuring kid's favorite characters and movies, such as Harry Potter, Trolls, Where's Waldo… Diversity in children’s books has made great strides over the last five years or so, but there is still a long way to go. Mature jock-valedictorian romance has social media factor. Classic captures a kid's delight in freshly fallen snow. A gem, with strong girl characters, '60s black history. Moving coming-of-age story set amid creation of Pakistan. The 2017 … Clever science fantasy will appeal to Philip Pullman fans. Gripping thriller about a girl disappearing without a trace. Clever twist on classic tale adds dimension and great art. © Common Sense Media. Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes. Pulitzer Prize author Alice Walker coined the term “colorism” in 1982 to mean the “prejudicial or preferential treatment of same-race people based solely on their color.” The Perfect Potty Zoo: The Funniest ABC Book. Boy embraces his uniqueness in exuberant identity tale. Migrant worker girl faces big responsibility in sweet story. How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives, Participate in DigCit Week with your kid by using curated activities from Wide Open School, Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance, Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning, Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music, Princess Cupcake Jones and the Missing Tutu: Princess Cupcake Jones, Book 1, Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis, The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate, The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond, Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom: Frazzled, Book 1, Gabby Garcia's Ultimate Playbook: Gabby Garcia, Book 1, Jake the Fake Keeps It Real: Jake the Fake, Book 1, Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit, The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes, Eddie Red Undercover: Mystery on Museum Mile, Phoenix: The Five Ancestors Out of the Ashes, Book 1, Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, The Lost Hero: The Heroes of Olympus, Book 1, The Red Pyramid: The Kane Chronicles, Book 1, Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina, Dust Girl: The American Fairy Trilogy, Book 1, Shadowshaper: The Shadowshaper Cypher, Book 1, Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance, The Name of the Star: Shades of London, Book 1, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Book 1, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Clockwork Angel: Infernal Devices, Book 1, The Counterfeit Family Tree of Vee Crawford-Wong. K-pop star steps out in romantic "Roman Holiday" retelling. Exhilarating but bloody tale starts off time travel series. by. Opposites begin to attract in sweet arranged-union tale. Teen leaves bubble of privilege in exciting historical tale. Children's books eight times as likely to feature animal main characters as BAME people According to UK study, just 5% of children’s books have black, … list created December 7th, 2012 Unusual mix of history and fantasy makes an engrossing read.