10 of the best children's books on diversity and inclusion

Diverse and representative books encourage empathy and inclusion, and help school us about people and events in history that are all too often forgotten or ignored. In recent years, the importance of diversity and inclusion has become more widely recognised and embraced in the UK and beyond. Whilst there has been significant change, there is so much more to be done. As part of this drive, children's books promoting diversity and inclusion have become increasingly popular and widely bought by parents and schools alike. These books provide children with a way to see themselves represented in the books they read and learn about different cultures, abilities, and experiences, and to develop empathy and understanding towards others.
 
 
Here are 10 of the children's books about diversity and inclusion

1. "All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity in a joyful, playful yet impactful way. Featuring a group of children from various backgrounds and abilities, who all attend the same school and how they learn to appreciate each other's differences.

2. Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall shows children that trying new things can be scary at first but with persistence, they will develop the resilience required to push through. Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash. Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all

3. "The Boy at the Back of the Class" by Onjali Q. Rauf is an  award-winning book about a young refugee boy who joins a new school and struggles to fit in. His classmates soon realise that he has been through a difficult time and work together to make him feel welcome. Kindness saves the day in this book. A powerful way to teach children about the challenges of being a refugee and loosing one's home, friends and sometimes family.

4. In "Hair Love", Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison celebrate the father and daughter daughter bond as he styles her hair in different ways. A fantastically heartwarming way to celebrate self-love and acceptance of natural hair textures.

5. Jessica Love's "Julian Is a Mermaid", teaches children to celebrate their identify and be true to themselves. It is the story of a young boy who dreams of becoming a mermaid. With the help of his abuela, he learns to embrace his true self and expresses himself in a way that makes him happy.

6. "Red: A Crayon's Story" by Michael Hall This story follows a blue crayon with a red label, who struggles to fit in with his fellow crayons because they expect him to be red. This book promotes the acceptance of individuality and shows how labels can be misleading.

7. You can't help but fall in love and be empowered with the cover of "I Am Enough" by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo.  This inspiring book encourages young readers to recognise their self-worth and embrace their unique qualities in a way that promotes positivity and self-love, while also celebrating diversity and inclusivity.

8. In "Eyes that Kiss in the Corners" Joanna Ho aims to show the beauty of East Asian eyes while also showing that everyone is beautiful. A a dazzling, lyrical ode to loving one's self, it's tender yet powerful words and vibrant illustrations inspire young readers to recognize their own beauty and strength, igniting a revolution of self-discovery and confidence.

9. "Talking is not my Thing" is our first Key Stage 1 book recommendation featuring characters with autism." By Rose Robbins. This autistic little sister might not use words, but don't you worry, she’s got plenty to say! Narrated through thought bubbles, this energetic book invites readers into the day of a nonverbal girl with autism. She has so much to do—games to play, spaghetti to eat, and a missing stuffed animal to find!

10. "What happened to You" by James Catchpole is a ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to live with limb-loss and to be seen as different. Mischievous Joe gets angry and bored, and starts to come up with wild, fantastical stories about his leg to keep the children at bay. A worthwhile addition to your library to help improve emotional intelligence and empathy.

In conclusion, children's books that promote diversity and inclusion are crucial in educating young readers about different cultures, abilities, and experiences. These books not only help children to develop empathy and understanding towards others, but they also promote self-love and acceptance of individuality. With these books readily available in the UK, children have the opportunity to learn about the importance of inclusivity and embrace diversity from a young age.