Looking Like Me by Walter Dean Myers

Looking Like Me by Walter Dean Myers (author) Christopher Myers (illustrator)

When you look in a mirror, who do you see? A boy? A girl? A son? A daughter? A runner? A dancer? Whoever and whatever you see– just put out your fist and give yourself an "I am" BAM! This jumping, jazzy, joyful picture book by the award-winning team of Walter Dean and Christoper Myers celebrates every child, and every thing that child can be. Ages 7-10

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Shades of Black : A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney

Shades of Black : A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney (author), Myles Pinkney (illustrator)

I am Black / I am Unique / I am the creamy white frost in vanilla ice cream/ and the milky smooth brown in a chocolate bar...
Using simple poetic language and stunning photographs, Sandra and Myles Pinkney have created a remarkable book of affirmation for African-American children.


Photographic portraits and striking descriptions of varied skin tones, hair texture, and eye color convey a strong sense of pride in a unique heritage. A joyous celebration of the rich diversity among African-Americans. Ages 5-7

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Arcade and the Triple T Token by Rashad Jennings

Arcade and the Triple T Token (The Coin Slot Chronicles) by Rashad Jennings

In Arcade and the Triple T Token, eleven-year-old Arcade Livingston has a problem. Several, actually. The Tolley twins, a.k.a. neighborhood bullies, are making Arcade’s move to a new city even harder than it needs to be. They expect him to do their research papers and interactive displays for the sixth-grade career expo’s theme: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Besides doing their work, Arcade doesn’t even know his own answer to that question. While at the library—Arcade’s favorite place to chill—a mysterious old woman gives him a golden arcade token that grants him a unique gift. A gift that allows him to time travel between different places including his own future. From sitting in the dugout with Babe Ruth, to hanging on to the back of a bucking bull, to performing life-saving surgery on a dog, Arcade has no shortage of adventure! Together with his older sister, Zoe, Arcade explores life’s biggest thrills and challenges, and the two also have a big mystery to solve. Who is the rightful owner of the incredible Triple T Token that leads to such astounding adventures? Arcade’s circle of friends begins to widen as the Triple T Token hangs from his neck. Pulsing. Beckoning another adventure. The question for Arcade, Zoe, and their new friends is no longer, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s, “Where will we go next?” Ages 8-12

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Breathe with Me: Using Breath to Feel Strong, Calm, and Happy by Miriam Gates

Breathe with Me: Using Breath to Feel Strong, Calm, and Happy by  Miriam Gates (author), Sarah Jane Hinder (illustrator) 

When you're mad or worried or can't wake up in the morning, what can you do? Use the amazing superpower that you already have―breathing. Our newest offering from the bestselling creators of Good Night Yoga teaches kids fun and easy breathing practices based on the proven methods of yoga and mindfulness meditation.

Sample practices: When something makes you mad or even feels unfair, try this counting breath and you’ll feel calmer there. Sit up and let your spine grow tall. Take a deep breath in, counting silently 1 . . . 2 . . . 3. Then let your breath out slowly, counting 1 . . . 2 . . . 3. When you go somewhere you’ve never been and you aren’t sure what to do, you can use a dandelion breath to feel more comfortable trying something new. Sit up and let your spine grow tall. Put one hand on your chest. Place your other hand on your belly. Take slow deep breaths and feel your chest and your belly move up and down as the air goes in and out of your body. At night when it’s hard to fall asleep because your mind is busy and your body feels tight, try balloon breath to get relaxed and ready for a good night. Lie down on your back and let your hands rest by your sides, palms up. Inhale through your nose and imagine filling your body with breath like a big balloon. Exhale and blow the air out through your mouth. What color is your balloon?

Ages 4-8

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Yasmin the Teacher by Saadia Faruqui

Yasmin the Teacher by Saadia Faruqui (author) Hatem Aly (illustrator)

Ms. Alex gets called away―and puts Yasmin in charge! Being teacher will be a snap! But when things go wrong, Yasmin must think fast to get the class back on track before Ms. Alex gets back. Ages 5-8.

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#yasmintheteacher #saadiafaruqui #teachers #leadership #childrensbooks #loveofreading #lettsgetkidsreading #storiesofacolorfulworld

Max and the Tag-A-Long Moon by Floyd Cooper

Max and the Tag-A-Long Moon by Floyd Cooper

Max loves his grandpa. When they must say good-bye after a visit, Grandpa promises Max that the moon at Grandpa’s house is the same moon that will follow him all the way home. On that swervy-curvy car ride back to his house, Max watches as the moon tags along. But when the sky darkens and the moon disappears behind clouds, he worries that it didn’t follow him home after all. Where did the moon go—and what about Grandpa’s promise? Floyd Cooper received the Coretta Scott King Award for The Blacker the Berry, three Coretta Scott King Honors for Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea, Meet Danitra Brown, and I Have Heard of a Land, and an NAACP image award. In Max and the Tag-Along Moon, his lush paintings perfectly capture the wonder of the moon, the love between grandfather and grandson, and that feeling of magic every child experiences when the moon follows him home. Ages 3-7

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If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier

If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier, Lynne Avril(illustrator)



If you ran for president, you would have to do a lot of hard work. You would study the nation's problems, tell the American people about your platform, select a running mate, and debate your opponents on live television
Help your child learn all about the election process and it what it takes to one day be president. Ages 4-8

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#IfIranforpresident #catherinestier #politics #presidents #electionprocess #imagesmatter #representationmatters #youngreaders #childrensbooks #joyofreading #storiesofacolorfulworld #letsgetkidsreading

Fresh Princess by Denene Milner

Fresh Princess by Denene Milner, Gladys Jose (illustrator)

Based on The Fresh Prince created by Will Smith, Destiny is the Fresh Princess. Meet Destiny—a cool, energetic, and strong-willed young girl who approaches every day with her own signature style! That is, until she moves to a brand-new neighborhood, where nothing looks quite the same as it did at her old house. Even with new challenges and new friends to make, Destiny always has a plan. With a few reminders from her loving family and after remembering what being the Fresh Princess is all about, she may just take the leap and jump right in! Written by celebrated author, blogger, and editor Denene Millner and illustrated by Gladys Jose, Fresh Princess is the perfect book to encourage kids to proudly stand out and be themselves! Ages 4-8.

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#freshprincess #denenemilner #energetic #strong-willed #stylish #family #imagesmatter #representationmatters #youngreaders #childrensbooks #loveofreading #joyofreading #storiesofacolorfulworld #supportblackwomenauthors #supportwomenillustrators #letsgetkidsreading

A Children's Introduction to African American History by Jabari Asim

A Children's Introduction to African American History by Jabari Asim, Lynn Gaines (illustrator)


Jabari Asim goes beyond what's taught in the classroom to reveal a fact-filled history of African American history through politics, activism, sports, entertainment, music, and much more. You'll follow the road to freedom beginning with the slave trade and the middle passage through the abolitionist movement and the Civil War where many African Americans fought as soldiers. You'll learn how slave songs often contained hidden messages and how a 15-year-old Jamaican-born young man named Clive Campbell helped to create hip-hop in the early 1970's.
You'll experience the passionate speeches, marches, and movements of the Civil Rights era along with and the sacrifices of Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, and many others. Along the way there are dozens of profiles of political trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm, the first black women elected to Congress in 1968; dominants athletes like Tiger Woods who, in 1995, was only the second African American to play in a Master's Golf Tournament which he went on to win in 1997; popular musicians like Miles Davis, one the most influential artists of the twentieth century; and inspiring writers like Toni Morrison, the first African American to win the Nobel Prize in literature. Filled with beautiful illustrations by Lynn Gaines that bring these figures and events to life, plus a removable historical timeline poster, A Child's Introduction to African American History is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to this often overlooked yet immensely important part of American history. Ages 8-12

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#achildrensintroductiontoafricanamericanhistory #jabariasim #americanhistory #leadership #culture #childrensbooks #loveofreading #youngreaders #supportblackauthors #supportblackillustrators #storiesofacolorfulworld #letsgetkidsreading

Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld



At one time, Lew Alcindor was just another kid from New York City with all the usual problems: He struggled with fitting in, with pleasing a strict father, and with overcoming shyness that made him feel socially awkward. But with a talent for basketball, and an unmatched team of supporters, Lew Alcindor was able to transform and to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. From a childhood made difficult by racism and prejudice to a record-smashing career on the basketball court as an adult, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s life was packed with “coaches” who taught him right from wrong and led him on the path to greatness. His parents, coaches Jack Donahue and John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and many others played important roles in Abdul-Jabbar’s life and sparked him to become an activist for social change and advancement. The inspiration from those around him, and his drive to find his own path in life, are highlighted in this personal and awe-inspiriting journey. Written especially for young readers, Becoming Kareem chronicles how Kareem Abdul-Jabbar become the icon and legend he is today, both on and off the court. Ages 8-12


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All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penrold

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penrold, Suzanne Kaufman(illustrator)



Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school. Ages 4-8

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#allarewelcome #alexandrapenrold #diversity #culture #traditions #community #imagesmatter #representationmatters #joyofreading #childrensbooks #storiesofacolorfulworld #letsgetkidsreading

The Colors of Us by Karen Katz

The Colors of Us by Karen Katz


A positive and affirming look at skin color, from an artist's perspective.
Seven-year-old Lena is going to paint a picture of herself. She wants to use brown paint for her skin. But when she and her mother take a walk through the neighborhood, Lena learns that brown comes in many different shades. Through the eyes of a little girl who begins to see her familiar world in a new way, this book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect all people. Karen Katz created this book for her daughter, Lena, whom she and her husband adopted from Guatemala six years ago. Ages 4-8

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She's Got This by Laurie Hernandez

She's Got This by Laurie Hernandez, Nina Mata (illustrator)


From gold-medal-winning Olympic gymnast and bestselling author Laurie Hernandez comes a picture book about chasing your dreams and never giving up.

Even Olympians have to start somewhere. And in this charming illustrated book, Laurie Hernandez tells the story of Zoe, a little girl who dreams of flying—and becoming a gymnast. When Zoe sees a gymnast on TV, she realizes that gymnastics is just like flying. But when she first goes to class and falls off the balance beam, she discovers that following her dreams is harder and scarier than she thought. Through this heartwarming and inspirational story, featuring vibrant art from Nina Mata, Laurie imparts important lessons she learned on her way to Olympic glory: You always have to get back up and try again, and you always have to believe in yourself. Ages 4-8

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#shegotthis #lauriehernandez #gymnast #followyourdreams #perseverence #Olympian #youngreaders #childrensbooks #loveofreading #storiesofacolorfulworld #letsgetkidsreading

I Am Enough by Grace Byers

I Am Enough by Grace Byers, Keturah A. Bobo (illustrator)



I Am Enough is the picture book everyone needs, and it's now a New York Times bestseller and the picture book winner in the Goodreads Choice Awards!

This is a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another—from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo. This is the perfect gift for mothers and daughters, baby showers, and graduation. We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it. Ages 4-8

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When God Made Me by Matthew Paul Turner

When God Made Me by Matthew Paul Turner, David Catrow (illustrator)


YOU, you… God thinks about you. God was thinking of you long before your debut. From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly. Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves. ‘Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew That the world needed someone exactly like you! Ages 3-7

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The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

This is one of my favorite children's books!

No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.

The book is notable not only for its lovely artwork and tone, but also for its importance as a trailblazer. According to Horn Book magazine, The Snowy Day was "the very first full-color picture book to feature a small black hero"—yet another reason to add this classic to your shelves. It's as unique and special as a snowflake."—Amazon.com Ages 2+

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