Books that Embrace Diversity

By Anabela Mok 2022-07-11 22:13:30

Whether you are an adult third culture kid, or with your own multicultural family here are some great reads you can enjoy. From informative non-fiction to picture books, you will enjoy the selection we curated that celebrate diversity.

 

 

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, Revised Edition

 

Third culture kids (TCK)—children of expatriates, missionaries, military personnel, and others who live outside their passport country—have unique issues with personal development and identity. David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken bring to light the emotional and psychological realities that come with the TCK journey.

 

 

Finding Home: Third Culture Kids in the World

 

Where is home? What is home? For kids who are raised internationally, these are massive questions. The essays in Finding Home explore the delights and the struggles of TCKs. Who are Third Culture Kids? Why does it matter? From adoption to transitioning to university, deciding to live abroad as an adult or not, healing from trauma, and developing roots in passport or host countries, these stories highlight the unique joys and challenges of a global life.

 

 

I Am Whole: A Multi-Racial Children's Book Celebrating Diversity, Language, Race and Culture

 

I Am Whole is a delightful picture book to celebrate children of mixed backgrounds and cultures. Written with love to embrace the differences that come with being multi-racial, including language, family and cultural traditions. This book encourages children to embrace their diversity and recognise that such differences make us whole. A fun rhythmic read aimed at children aged 0-7.

 

 

Loveboat, Taipei

 

“Our cousins have done this program,” Sophie whispers. “Best kept secret. Zero supervision.”

 

And just like that, Ever Wong’s summer takes an unexpected turn. Gone is Chien Tan, the strict educational program in Taiwan that Ever was expecting. In its place, she finds Loveboat: a summer-long free-for-all where hookups abound, adults turn a blind eye, snake-blood sake flows abundantly, and the nightlife runs nonstop.

 

 

I Dream of Popo

 

I dream with Popo as she rocks me in her arms.
I wave at Popo before I board my flight.
I talk to Popo from across the sea.
I tell Popo about my adventures.

When a young girl and her family emigrate from Taiwan to America, she leaves behind her beloved popo, her grandmother. She misses her popo every day, but even if their visits are fleeting, their love is ever true and strong

 

 

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

 

This lyrical, stunning picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate your Asian-shaped eyes and is a celebration of diversity. A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future. Drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment. This powerful, poetic picture book will resonate with readers of all ages.

 

 

Where Are You From?

 

When a girl is asked where she’s from—where she’s really from—none of her answers seems to be the right one. Unsure about how to reply, she turns to her loving abuelo for help. He doesn’t give her the response she expects. She gets an even better one. 

 

Where am I from? 

 

You’re from hurricanes and dark storms, and a tiny singing frog that calls the island people home when the sun goes to sleep....

 

With themes of self-acceptance, identity, and home, this powerful, lyrical picture book will resonate with readers young and old, from all backgrounds and of all colors—especially anyone who ever felt that they don’t belong.

 

 

Not So Different

 

Not So Different is a picture book encouraging young children to embrace their differences and celebrate diversity. A fun rhythmic read, it can be used as a tool to start necessary conversations with our babies about differences in the world. Inspired by her interracial marriage and biracial children, Cyana hopes to help create a world in which children are able to engage in difficult conversations and learn from each other in a positive way. The illustrations provide clear imagery of the many ways we are different, while also recognizing the ways we are the same. With this book, Cyana hopes to help children realize that their individual characteristics are the very things that makes them special and unique. She intends to normalize talking to our children about diversity and race in a positive way…and celebrating our unique qualities by embracing them

 

 

Alma and How She Got Her Name 

 

If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all — and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell. In her author-illustrator debut, Juana Martinez-Neal opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names.

 

 

The Proudest Blue

 

With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab- a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.


Paired with Hatem Aly's beautiful, whimsical art, Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are.

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