Hello, Crochet Friends!, by Jonah and Jennifer Larson and photographed by Erin Harris

 

BUY HERE (or, even better, request at your local library!)

Carpenter's Helper, by Sybil Rosen and illustrated by Camille Garoche

 

BUY HERE (or, even better, request at your local library)

Kaia and the Bees, by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Angela Dominguez

 

BUY HERE (or, even better, request at your local library)

Another Important Book, by Margaret Wise Brown

It's been a while since I've read or recommended a book for infants, but we stumbled across Another Important Book at the library and picked it up because we adore the author Margaret Wise Brown (her book Little Fur Family was an early favorite of ours).  My 6 year old was, of course, way too old but listened gamely (and I was a huge fan).  The illustrations are of tumbling, crying, dancing, giggling babies of all different colors, and I'm positive the lyrical and repetitive text would have appealed to my son if he had been a few years younger.  I'm sad we stumbled onto this book too late to add it to our bedtime collection, but perhaps it isn't too late for you!

BUY HERE (or, even better, request at your local library!)

Silent Night, by Lara Hawthorne

This book combines the words to Silent Night with beautifully illustrated pictures of the Nativity, a Nativity scene full of people with black and brown skin.  I was thrilled when we came across this book at the library, and given that Silent Night is one of our favorite lullabies to sign at bedtime it's already been read repeatedly.  A simple, lovely Christmas story.

BUY HERE (or, even better, request at your local library!)

Not Norman, by Kelly Bennett

I've been so focused on writing about newer library books that we're into that I neglected a long-time favorite we just came across again!

Not Norman follows the story of a young black boy who desperately wants a pet, but is not so thrilled to receive a goldfish for his birthday.  He has various plans to get rid of Norman, but in the process finds himself enjoying Norman's company.  It's a straightforward well told story that we both enjoyed reading over and over, and one that I would highly recommend to all families.  Absolutely no downsides to this wonderful book!

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

I Am Jazz, by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

I grabbed this at the library, grateful for a book that would help explain what it means to be transgender but at the same time honestly not expecting much (given that we haven't generally liked many children's books written by celebrities - though Jazz Jennings is perhaps better viewed as an activist).  However, I was pleasantly surprised by this story!  While there isn't really a story - there is a clear narrative of Jazz's experience as a transgender child and my son really, really just got it on the first reading. 

One minor caveat - the book does present gender very simplistically, in that it seems to point to Jazz's interests in princesses, mermaid costumes, and dresses (versus trucks or tools) as a reason that she is a girl.  Problematic when my son is at an age where he is starting to come home from school and make pronouncements like "I hate princesses" (despite his obsession with Moana).  And while these may be specific things that Jazz is (and is not) interested in I didn't want to convey the message to my son that girls like these things and boys like these other things, and so I ended up changing a few of the parts of the book when I read it aloud to my son.  However, overall this book is an excellent introduction to what transgender means for younger readers.  

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Wild About You, by Judy Sierra

Another cautious recommendation for a book that touches on adoption.  Cautious because there are many problematic elements (as there nearly always are), but a recommendation nonetheless because there are also some wonderful lessons that I haven't seen elsewhere.

In Wild About You, all the animals are having babies!  Except for the tree kangaroo and the pandas - who desperately want babies and even attempt asking the crocodiles if they can have theirs.  A zookeeper offers up an abandoned egg and while all of the birds refuse to adopt it (saying it's too small or they don't have space), the tree kangaroo steps forward.  Eventually, out hatches a penguin.  The tree kangaroo is surprised but loves him completely, while acknowledging that she needs help from other animals to raise her penguin "because penguins eat fishes."  And the community steps up!  The penguins bring fish, the flamingos invite the penguin over for a playdate, but the bond remains between the penguin and her adoptive mother.  Meanwhile, the pandas adopt a kitten they find and similarly, the tigers bring fresh milk and the meerkats set up playdates.  The lesson of the book is summed up at the end: "To bring up a baby . . . IT TAKES THE WHOLE ZOO."

Obviously, there are problems with this narrative - the big two being focusing entirely on the deep desire of the parents for a child (and ignoring the child's loss and point of view) and the refusal of the other animals to adopt the egg.  However, as a adoptive parent, and in particular a parent with a transracially adopted child, I really appreciated that the book celebrated adoptive animals reaching out to other animals who were better suited to help their child when it was necessary.  There is a nice parallel to best practices for adoptive families, as they reach out to people of the same race of their child, as well as finding a community of other adoptive families and adopted individuals for their child to relate to.

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Hey-Ho, To Mars We'll Go, by Susan Lendroth

This book is a perfect read for any child obsessed with space travel or outer space (or Mars in particular, like my son).  Featuring 4 children (two of them children of color) on a hypothetical trip to Mars, there are several ways to read this book.  The fun illustrations accompany the song "to Mars we'll go" (sung to the tune of Farmer in the Dell) - with verses such as "We sleep on the walls, We sleep on the walls, Hey-ho, to Mars we'll go -- We sleep on the walls."  My son usually joins in with me after the first line.  For younger kids, or when you're in a rush, singing through the book is quick and fun.  For older kids (or when you're not trying to rush your kid to bed), each page contains interesting facts about what would be necessary for such a journey - like growing fresh vegetables in bags, or how it would be easier to build and launch a spaceship to Mars in space.

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, by Jill Twiss

It took me some time to pick up this book, it got a lot of media attention when it was published and I thought there was no way such a high profile children's book would actually be an enjoyable read.  But I was wrong.  It's delightful and funny and conveys a great message without being preachy and our family adores it so much that our son insisted we read it to his whole preschool class!

Marlon Bundo (the grandson of Mike Pence, the Vice President) leads a repetitive life until he encounters Wesley.  Wesley and Marlon quickly fall in love and make plans to "hop together Forever."  All of their friends are thrilled except for the (hilariously) grumpy Stink Bug, who is unfortunately in charge.  As the most important, Stink Bug proclaims that boy bunnies can NOT marry boy bunnies because being different is bad.  All of their other friends think up ways in which they are different as well (Mr. Paws the dog likes to sniff butts) and decide to vote the Stink Bug out of office and Marlon and Welsey live happily ever after.  Like I said, the best!  And with enough funny parts that a roomful of 4 and 5 year olds won't be able to contain their laughter.

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

The Day Santa Got Sick, by Deanne Samuels

Finally!  A Christmas book that features a black Santa.  I stumbled across this on Amazon and instantly ordered it.  And even better, the two other main characters are also black -- Mrs. Claus ("Coretta" in this book) and Ella Elf.  My son and I were both thrilled when this book arrived and read it immediately.

The story itself is fine.  Santa gets sick and has to find someone else to deliver the presents, but there are drawbacks to all the volunteers (a Snowman would melt in the hot countries, for example).  The main twist hinges on the fact that elves aren't an option because they can't read the list -- they never learn because they are so focused on making toys.  However, Ella Elf can read (it's not clear why), and she successfully teams up with Mrs. Claus to deliver the presents and saves Christmas.  I guess the message is that learning to read is important?  But given that this is a book for younger kids who presumably cannot read yet, it seems off.  Another odd twist is that there are words in other languages sprinkled throughout without explanation ("How would you place all the regalos around the Christmas tree?"), presumably because Santa speaks all languages.  However, aside from translations in the beginning it's never addressed and confused my son (and honestly, me).

All that aside, the book is pleasant enough and given the bold illustrations featuring a black cast at the North Pole I recommend it without hesitation!

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Hallelujah! A Christmas Celebration, by W. Nikola-Lisa

A brief, lyrical retelling of the Christmas story featuring a black Mary and Joseph and, repeatedly emphasized, a black baby Jesus.  I suspect that the bright, simple illustrations and poetic text appeal more to adults (in our case, my 5 year old listened impatiently and tossed the book aside when we were done), but it really depends on your child - may work best for younger children.

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Karate Hour, Soccer Hour, and Baseball Hour, all by Carol Nevius

This three book series is notable for its inclusivity and appealing to children who love sports.  All three books includes coaches and players of both genders and multiple races.  Karate Hour also includes a student using a walker (albeit just in the background in one photo).  The illustrations are realistic and gorgeous - the children look like your son or daughter's friends.

The books take children through practice (or class, in the case of Karate Hour) from beginning to end.  The prose is simple, descriptive, and rhyming, perhaps better for younger children - my 4 (nearly 5 year old) is a bit bored by the simplistic narration of what the children are doing, despite the fact that he is very athletic and takes similar classes himself.  However, if he encountered these books at age 2 or 3 I think he would have spent much longer pouring over them.

BUY SOCCER HOUR, BASEBALL HOUR, AND KARATE HOUR

(or request at your local library!)

My Pet Wants a Pet, by Elise Broach

A black boy asks his white mother for a dog.  She (finally) agrees, but then his dog wants a pet.  And then the dog's cat wants a pet!  The boy's mother gets increasingly frustrated until he realizes that she is "a special and important someone, who wasn't happy."  As a solution, he gifts her himself in a box because "whenever you take care of something, that something takes care of you" - a theme that is repeated throughout the story.

There are countless wonderful things about this book that both my son and I adore.  The writing is simple but catchy - the repetitive story leads to us both gleefully yelling out variations on "That worm is the pet of the pet of the pet of your pet!  He does NOT NEED A PET" over and over.  Both the illustrations and the story recognize the boy's mother as an important character with her own interests and needs - she is shown reading, doing yoga, washing dishes (with the boy's assistance), working at a desk, and gardening.  There is no father pictured, and they boy can be read as either her biological child or transracially adopted.

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

The Ring Bearer, by Floyd Cooper

I've hesitated to recommend this book since I've seen it so widely recommended already - but my son and I were reading it yet again today and so, why not?  It's a great book that can be read over and over without parent or child getting tired of it (and a must for children whose mom or dad is getting married).  Though this book was published in 2017, it already feels like a classic.

In this book entirely populated by black characters, Jackson's mom is getting married to Sophie's dad.  Jackson is worried about lots of things, but primarily about tripping while carrying the rings down the aisle.  However, when flower girl Sophie trips in front of him, Jackson forgets his fears and rushes to assist his little sister-to-be.  Everyone cheers, and a new family is formed!

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Teddy's Favorite Toy, by Christian Trimmer

I was so skeptical of this book - we once read a book about a boy who preferred to wear dresses and I think it had the opposite of its intended effect.  My son went from thinking that there was absolutely nothing unusual about a boy wearing a dress, to being a bit suspicious based on the reactions of all the children in the book.

This book is at the same time subtle and straightforward in addressing the fact that Teddy's favorite toy is a doll.  It starts by noting that Teddy has lots of cool toys such as a fire engine he can ride on (my son was blown away by this), a rocket ship, puzzles, a hula hoop . . . but his favorite one is a doll named Bren-Da, Warrior Queen of the Pacific.  Bren-Da enjoys a tea party and dressing up but also has the "sickest fighting skills."  When Teddy's mom accidentally throws away Bren-Da while cleaning his room, his mom uses all of Bren-Da's various talents (manners, cool moves!) to rescue Bren-Da from the garbage truck.  All in all, a pretty perfect introduction to a boy who just happens to love his doll.

In addition to all of the wonderfulness above, Teddy is a child of color and, if you choose, can be read as either adopted or biracial (his mom is the only parent pictured and appears to be white).

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Lola at the Library, by Anna McQuinn

We received Lola at the Library recently as a gift.  I'd seen this book around and been a bit resistant to picking it up; honestly - it looked a bit boring.  But my son and I loved it!  Lola's trip to the library mirrors ours in many important ways and nearly every page lead to a discussion about how our trips to the library are either the same or different.  Lola (a young black girl) returns all her library books every week, but my son likes to hold on to his favorite ones for many, many, many weeks (our library has a liberal renewal policy).  Lola and her mom walk to the library, but we usually take the bus.  We also get a snack at the library (though not every week)!  The second we finished reading my son asked to read the book a second, then a third time.  At 4, he's probably at the upper age range of this book - but it's one I expect we'll be reading a lot.

I can't vouch for them, but it looks like the same author/illustrator pairing has come out with several books about Lola and her little brother Leo.

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Shawn Loves Sharks, by Curtis Manley

Shawn, a boy of color, is obsessed with sharks.  He reads about sharks, eats like a shark, and chases other kids like a shark - especially Stacy, an Asian girl.  However, when doing a class project on predators, Shawn is dismayed when Stacy is assigned the shark and he is assigned the leopard seal.  The tables are turned, as Stacy the shark chases her prey, Shawn the leopard seal.  However, Shawn slowly learns to appreciate the leopard seal and befriends Stacy in the process.

Aside from the fact that it's a really enjoyable book (that, despite regular readings over the last 3 months, we still haven't tired of), this story really has everything.  It's about a child obsessed (what child doesn't have a passion that everyone else is a bit tired of?) but also begrudgingly expanding and eventually embracing new interests, the complexities of friendship. the fun of pretending to be an animal (lots of shark-chomping), a multicultural classroom, and simple, arresting illustrations.

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Hello Goodbye Dog, by Maria Gianferrari

Zara, a biracial girl with a black mom and white dad, has a dog named Moose that won't stop following her to school!  As a solution, Moose attends therapy dog school and becomes the class reading dog.  Zara uses a wheelchair, a fact that is not referenced aside from once during Moose's therapy dog test - he's good at sitting, being with children, and (of course) being around wheelchairs.

This is perhaps the first book we've stumbled upon that features a child of color who has a disability (though hopefully there are many more we've yet to find), and I love that neither of those facts are central to this delightful story of a dog that misses his child and loves to be read to.  In addition, the book is pleasingly repetitive in a way that appeals to children.

  BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Alfie, by Thyra Heder

Nia is a black girl who receives Alfie, a pet turtle, for her sixth birthday.  On the morning of her seventh birthday, he disappears in search of a present for Nia.  Alfie reappears the day of Nia's eighth birthday with a turtle keychain he discovered during his quest.  The story is told alternately from Nia's, and then Alfie's points of view, and is a quick and enjoyable read.  Not a story we'd buy, but one we enjoyed reading several times when we checked it out of our local library.

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)