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!
Books in This Collection
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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.
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Black All Around
By Patricia Hubbell, Don TateThis 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji
By Farhana Zia, Ken MinThis 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.
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If I Were a Tree
By Andrea Zimmerman, Jing Jing TsongIf 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.
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Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems
Jitomates Risueños y otros poemas de primaveraBy Francisco X. Alarcón, Maya GonzalezThis 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.
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Magic Like That
By Samara Cole Doyon, Geneva BowersMagic 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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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On These Magic Shores
By Yamile Saied MéndezOn 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.
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Rebel Seoul
By Axie Oh, Sebastien HueThis 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.
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Summoning the Phoenix
Poems and Prose About Chinese Musical InstrumentsBy Emily Jiang, April ChuThis 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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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The Witch Owl Parliament
(Clockwork Curandera, Volume I)By David Bowles, Raúl the Third, Stacey Robinson, Damian DuffyThe 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.
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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.
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What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses?
By Richard Van Camp, George LittlechildThis 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?"
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Where Fireflies Dance / Ahi, donde bailan las luciérnagas
By Lucha Corpi, Mira ReisbergThis 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.
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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...