41 Books in this collection
Books About Joy Booklist
A disproportionate number of books about BIPOC protagonists focus on their marginalization. Though it is important for children to understand the history and complexity of oppression, racism, and discrimination, children--especially children of color--also deserve to see themselves thrive and to experience the joy of being part of a loving community.
We've compiled a list of diverse books that reflect the daily lives of children and the joy of play, family and friends, and being themselves!
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Books in This Collection
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A Morning with Grandpa
By Sylvia Liu, Christina ForshayA Morning with Grandpa
By Sylvia Liu, Christina ForshayView DetailsIn this sweet, slice-of-life story, a curious and active Asian American girl spends the day learning tai chi from her grandfather, and in turn tries to teach him how to do yoga.
A Space for Me
By Cathryn FalwellA Space for Me
By Cathryn FalwellView DetailsAlex needs a break from his pesky little brother, Lucas, so he creates a space for himself, but soon realizes that he and Lucas need time together too.
Black All Around
By Patricia Hubbell, Don TatePaperback: $11.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageBlack All Around
By Patricia Hubbell, Don TateView DetailsA young girl discovers all the wonderful and beautiful things around her that are black.
Cat Girl's Day Off
By Kimberly PauleyCat Girl's Day Off
By Kimberly PauleyView DetailsIn this hilarious YA homage to Ferris Bueller's Chicago, Natalie must use her Talent of talking to cats to solve a high-profile celebrity kidnapping.
Dreaming Up
A Celebration of BuildingBy Christy HaleHardcover: $20.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageDreaming Up
A Celebration of BuildingBy Christy HaleView DetailsA picture book that connects great works of architecture to the ways children build and play.
Drum, Chavi, Drum! / ¡Toca, Chavi, Toca!
By Mayra Lazara Dole, TonelDrum, Chavi, Drum! / ¡Toca, Chavi, Toca!
By Mayra Lazara Dole, TonelView DetailsWho says girls can't play drums? The beat of Chavi's congas livens up her entire neighborhood. When she's not picked to drum in Miami's Calle Ocho festival, she decides to do something about it!
Drummer Boy of John John
By Mark Greenwood, Frane LessacDrummer Boy of John John
By Mark Greenwood, Frane LessacView DetailsThe perfect book for aspiring young drummers, where a young boy in Trinidad discovers he can create tunes on discarded metal tins, and goes on to win the Carnival band competition.
Family Poems for Every Day of the Week
Poemas familiares para cada día de la semanaBy Francisco X. Alarcón, Maya GonzalezFamily Poems for Every Day of the Week
Poemas familiares para cada día de la semanaBy Francisco X. Alarcón, Maya GonzalezView DetailsA bilingual poetry collection by the late Francisco X. Alarcón, acclaimed Chicano poet, celebrating the days of the week and everyday childhood experiences.
Una colección bilingüe de poesía del difunto Francisco X. Alarcón, aclamado poeta chicano, que celebra los días de la semana y las experiencias cotidianas de la infancia.
Galápagos Girl / Galapagueña
By Marsha Diane Arnold, Angela DomínguezGalápagos Girl / Galapagueña
By Marsha Diane Arnold, Angela DomínguezView DetailsThis charming bilingual English & Spanish picture book from the illustrator of Mango, Abuela, and Me introduces the fascinating creatures of the Galápagos Islands through the life of one very lucky girl.
Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji
By Farhana Zia, Ken MinPaperback: $11.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageHot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji
By Farhana Zia, Ken MinView DetailsOverflowing with family, food, and a tall stack of fun, Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji is sure to warm the heart and tickle the tummy. A fun way for children to learn about the cultural traditions and foods of India to be enjoyed by the whole family.
If I Were a Tree
By Andrea Zimmerman, Jing Jing TsongHardcover: $20.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageIf I Were a Tree
By Andrea Zimmerman, Jing Jing TsongView DetailsTwo siblings journey into the woods in a tender story of branching out and new growth from acclaimed writer Andrea Zimmerman and New York Times bestselling illustrator Jing Jing Tsong.
Julieta and the Diamond Enigma
By Luisana Duarte ArmendárizHardcover: $19.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageJulieta and the Diamond Enigma
By Luisana Duarte ArmendárizView DetailsFrom the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler meets Merci Suarez in this smart young middle-grade mystery about a diamond gone missing from the Louvre and the sweet and spunky girl who cracks the case.
Juna's Jar
By Jane Park, Felicia HoshinoJuna's Jar
By Jane Park, Felicia HoshinoView DetailsAfter Juna's best friend moves away, Juna, an imaginative Korean American girl, goes on magical adventures by way of her special kimchi jar.
King for a Day
By Rukhsana Khan, Christiane KrömerKing for a Day
By Rukhsana Khan, Christiane KrömerView DetailsMalik, a Pakistani boy who uses a wheelchair, is excited to compete in the annual kite-flying festival of Basant. Can his kite defeat the bully's and make him "King" of the festival?
Kiyoshi's Walk
By Mark Karlins, Nicole WongKiyoshi's Walk
By Mark Karlins, Nicole WongView DetailsWhere do poems come from? This beautiful picture book about a young aspiring poet and his grandfather shows that the answer lies all around us--if we take the time to look.
Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems
Jitomates Risueños y otros poemas de primaveraBy Francisco X. Alarcón, Maya GonzalezPaperback: $11.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageLaughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems
Jitomates Risueños y otros poemas de primaveraBy Francisco X. Alarcón, Maya GonzalezView DetailsBilingual English/Spanish. From the imagination of poet Francisco X. Alarcón comes Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems, a playful and moving collection of twenty poems in English and Spanish.
Magic Like That
By Samara Cole Doyon, Geneva BowersHardcover: $19.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageMagic Like That
By Samara Cole Doyon, Geneva BowersView DetailsIn this celebration of Black Girl Magic, a young girl finds confidence and excitement in the versatility of her natural hair and the way her different hairstyles reflect the natural world.
Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina
By Monica Brown, Sara PalaciosMarisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina
By Monica Brown, Sara PalaciosView DetailsMismatched and fabulous Marisol McDonald celebrates her Peruvian and Scottish heritage.
Bilingual English/Spanish.Maya's Blanket
La manta de MayaBy Monica Brown, David DiazView DetailsBilingual English/Spanish. Based on a Yiddish folk song, a young girl's cherished baby blanket becomes old and worn over time and she finds new ways to use it as she grows up.
My Colors, My World / Mis colores, mi mundo
By Maya GonzalezMy Colors, My World / Mis colores, mi mundo
By Maya GonzalezView DetailsBilingual English/Spanish. An instant favorite, this beautiful bilingual board book follows Maya as she discovers all the colors in her world.
Nacho's Nachos
The Story Behind the World's Favorite SnackBy Sandra Nickel, Oliver DominguezView DetailsThe delicious true story of an inventive chef and the serendipitous events that led to the creation of the world's favorite snack--nachos!
On These Magic Shores
By Yamile Saied MéndezHardcover: $19.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageOn These Magic Shores
By Yamile Saied MéndezView DetailsMinerva must take care of her sisters after her mother's disappearance in this magical middle grade story that pairs perfectly with Peter Pan.
Rebel Seoul
By Axie Oh, Sebastien HuePaperback: $15.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageRebel Seoul
By Axie Oh, Sebastien HueView DetailsPacific Rim meets Korean action dramas in this mind-blowing sci-fi novel set in New Seoul in the year 2199.
Summer of the Mariposas
By Guadalupe García McCallPaperback: $15.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageSummer of the Mariposas
By Guadalupe García McCallView DetailsIn this young adult retelling of The Odyssey, Odilia and her four sisters journey to Mexico to return a dead man to his family and encounter magical creatures along the way.
Summoning the Phoenix
Poems and Prose About Chinese Musical InstrumentsBy Emily Jiang, April ChuHardcover: $19.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageSummoning the Phoenix
Poems and Prose About Chinese Musical InstrumentsBy Emily Jiang, April ChuView DetailsA collection of original poems about children learning to play traditional Chinese instruments in preparation for a performance, accompanied by factual information about each instrument.
Sumo Joe
By Mia Wenjen, Nat IwataSumo Joe
By Mia Wenjen, Nat IwataView DetailsIn this sweet and funny story, Sumo Joe and his friends enjoy pretending to be sumo wrestlers. But when his little sister wants to join their boy-only game, what should Sumo Joe do?
Sunday Shopping
By Sally Derby Miller, Shadra StricklandSunday Shopping
By Sally Derby Miller, Shadra StricklandView DetailsEvery Sunday night a young girl and her grandmother go on an imaginary shopping trip in this delightful picture book.
The Electric Slide and Kai
By Kelly J. Baptist, Darnell JohnsonHardcover: $20.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageThe Electric Slide and Kai
By Kelly J. Baptist, Darnell JohnsonView DetailsKai is the only member of his family who can't get the dance steps to the Electric Slide right. But Kai is determined to bust a move in this fun and sweet celebration of African American families.
The Happiest Tree
A Yoga StoryBy Uma Krishnaswami, Ruth JeyaveeranPaperback: $11.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageThe Happiest Tree
A Yoga StoryBy Uma Krishnaswami, Ruth JeyaveeranThe Hula-Hoopin' Queen
By Thelma Lynne Godin, Vanessa Brantley-NewtonThe Hula-Hoopin' Queen
By Thelma Lynne Godin, Vanessa Brantley-NewtonView DetailsA spunky African American girl has a hula-hooping competition with her friends in Harlem, and soon everyone in the neighborhood--young and old alike--joins in on the fun.
The Monster in the Mudball
By S.P. GatesThe Monster in the Mudball
By S.P. GatesView DetailsIn this lower middle-grade mystery, Jin must hunt down the monster he accidentally freed, before it eats his baby brother.
The Shadow Prince
By David Anthony DurhamThe Shadow Prince
By David Anthony DurhamView DetailsFIVE DEADLY TESTS, ONLY ONE SHADOW PRINCE
In this middle grade solarpunk novel set in an alternate Egyptian universe, twelve-year-old Ash must compete and survive to become the shadow--and protector--of the prince.
The Turtle Ship
By Helena Ku Rhee, Colleen Kong-SavageThe Turtle Ship
By Helena Ku Rhee, Colleen Kong-SavageView DetailsA young Korean boy named Sun-sin designs one of the greatest battleships in history and fulfills his dream of sailing the world.
The Witch Owl Parliament
(Clockwork Curandera, Volume I)By David Bowles, Raúl the Third, Stacey Robinson, Damian DuffyPaperback: $18.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageThe Witch Owl Parliament
(Clockwork Curandera, Volume I)By David Bowles, Raúl the Third, Stacey Robinson, Damian DuffyView DetailsDiscover a graphic novel unlike any other--a brilliant steampunk reimagining of Frankenstein set in colonial Mexico.
There's No Base Like Home
By Jessica Mendoza, Alana Mendoza Dusan, Ruth Mcnally BarshawThere's No Base Like Home
By Jessica Mendoza, Alana Mendoza Dusan, Ruth Mcnally BarshawView DetailsESPN Major League Baseball analyst and two-time Olympic medalist Jessica Mendoza teams up with her sister Alana Mendoza Dusan for their first highly-illustrated novel for young readers, a Dork Diaries for sporty kids.
Under My Hijab
By Hena Khan, Aaliya JaleelUnder My Hijab
By Hena Khan, Aaliya JaleelView DetailsThis lovely book from the author of Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns invites readers to understand and appreciate the hijab and the Muslim women who decide to wear it.
What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses?
By Richard Van Camp, George LittlechildPaperback: $12.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageWhat's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses?
By Richard Van Camp, George LittlechildView DetailsAuthor Richard Van Camp asks his friends and family, "What's the most beautiful thing you know about horses?"
When Aidan Became a Brother
By Kyle Lukoff, Kaylani JuanitaHardcover: $19.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageWhen Aidan Became a Brother
By Kyle Lukoff, Kaylani JuanitaView DetailsThis sweet and groundbreaking picture book, winner of the 2020 Stonewall Book Award, celebrates the changes in a transgender boy's life, from his initial coming-out to becoming a big brother.
When the Shadbush Blooms
By Carla Messinger, Susan R. Katz, David Kanietakeron FaddenWhen the Shadbush Blooms
By Carla Messinger, Susan R. Katz, David Kanietakeron FaddenView DetailsA young Lenape Indian girl observes and reflects on the small, important ways her family today, and her ancestors generations before, celebrate the cycle of seasons.
Where Fireflies Dance / Ahi, donde bailan las luciérnagas
By Lucha Corpi, Mira ReisbergPaperback: $12.95 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageWhere Fireflies Dance / Ahi, donde bailan las luciérnagas
By Lucha Corpi, Mira ReisbergView DetailsBilingual English/Spanish. In her first book for children, award-winning author Lucha Corpi remembers her childhood growing up in Jáltipan, Mexico, where the moon hung low and the fireflies flickered in the night air.
Zombies Don't Eat Veggies
By Jorge Lacera, Megan LaceraZombies Don't Eat Veggies
By Jorge Lacera, Megan LaceraView DetailsIn this delightful debut by a talented husband-and-wife team, Mo Romero is a zombie with a deep, dark secret...
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