Picture books can be useful tools to help young children learn about <a href="http://www.welcomingschools.org/blog/entry/looking-at-skin-color-with-books-and-activities" target="_blank" target="_blank">race and diversity</a>, <a href="http://www.welcomingschools.org/blog/entry/books-to-engage-students-in-discussions-on-bias-and-bullying" target="_blank" target="_blank">how to deal with bias and bullying</a> and <a href="http://www.welcomingschools.org/blog/entry/sticking-up-for-each-other-the-power-of-allies-books" target="_blank" target="_blank">how to be an ally</a> to others. The Human Rights Campaign's Welcoming Schools program publishes reading lists for educators and parents interested in starting those discussions. Here are several of their recommendations, including Kadir Nelson's "I Have A Dream," which honors the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Books to teach children about diversity —
Picture books can be useful tools to help young children learn about race and diversity, how to deal with bias and bullying and how to be an ally to others. The Human Rights Campaign's Welcoming Schools program publishes reading lists for educators and parents interested in starting those discussions. Here are several of their recommendations, including Kadir Nelson's "I Have A Dream," which honors the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Random House
"The Sneetches and Other Stories," by Dr. Seuss, includes the story of creatures tricked into seeing only the differences among themselves -- and learning to see what they have in common.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"The Sneetches and Other Stories," by Dr. Seuss, includes the story of creatures tricked into seeing only the differences among themselves -- and learning to see what they have in common.
Random House
"Teammates," written by Peter Golenbock and illustrated by Paul Bacon, tells the story of Jackie Robinson, the first black ballplayer in the major leagues, and his white teammate, Pee Wee Reese.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Teammates," written by Peter Golenbock and illustrated by Paul Bacon, tells the story of Jackie Robinson, the first black ballplayer in the major leagues, and his white teammate, Pee Wee Reese.
HMH Books for Young Readers
"Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match/Marisol McDonald no combina," written by Monica Brown and illustrated by Sara Palacios, tells the story of a girl with red hair and brown skin, a Peruvian-Scottish-American who is perfectly happy the way she is.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match/Marisol McDonald no combina," written by Monica Brown and illustrated by Sara Palacios, tells the story of a girl with red hair and brown skin, a Peruvian-Scottish-American who is perfectly happy the way she is.
Lee & Low Books
"Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr.," written by Jean Marzollo and illustrated by J. Brian Pinkney, celebrates the life of the civil rights leader.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr.," written by Jean Marzollo and illustrated by J. Brian Pinkney, celebrates the life of the civil rights leader.
Scholastic Paperbacks
"All the Colors of the Earth," by Sheila Hamanaka, explains the shades of skin through the color tones of the Earth.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"All the Colors of the Earth," by Sheila Hamanaka, explains the shades of skin through the color tones of the Earth.
HarperCollins
"Zero," by Kathryn Otoshi, introduces ideas about body types and social interactions amid lessons about counting and numbers.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Zero," by Kathryn Otoshi, introduces ideas about body types and social interactions amid lessons about counting and numbers.
KO Kids Books
"Each Kindness," written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, tells the story of a girl who teases another student until, eventually, that girl stops coming to school.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Each Kindness," written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, tells the story of a girl who teases another student until, eventually, that girl stops coming to school.
Nancy Paulsen
"Across the Alley," written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, tells the story of an African-American child and Jewish child who develop a secret friendship.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Across the Alley," written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, tells the story of an African-American child and Jewish child who develop a secret friendship.
Putnam Juvenile
"The Skin You Live In," written by Michael Tyler and illustrated by David Lee Csicsko, offers vivid illustrations and descriptions of skin colors.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"The Skin You Live In," written by Michael Tyler and illustrated by David Lee Csicsko, offers vivid illustrations and descriptions of skin colors.
Chicago Children's Museum
"Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom," written by Tim Tingle and illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges, follows the friendship of a Choctaw girl and an enslaved African-American boy.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom," written by Tim Tingle and illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges, follows the friendship of a Choctaw girl and an enslaved African-American boy.
Cinco Puntos Press
"Shades of People," by Shelley Rotner and Sheila Kelly, is a photography book that shows the variety of physical traits people have.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Shades of People," by Shelley Rotner and Sheila Kelly, is a photography book that shows the variety of physical traits people have.
Holiday House
"My Name is Bilal," written by Asma Mobin-Uddin and illustrated by Barbara Kiwak, is the story of a boy teased by his classmates for being Muslim, and wondering if he should go by another name, Bill.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"My Name is Bilal," written by Asma Mobin-Uddin and illustrated by Barbara Kiwak, is the story of a boy teased by his classmates for being Muslim, and wondering if he should go by another name, Bill.
Boyds Mills Press
"Crow Boy," by Taro Yashima, tells the story of a boy rejected at school, and a kind teacher who helps him find acceptance.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Crow Boy," by Taro Yashima, tells the story of a boy rejected at school, and a kind teacher who helps him find acceptance.
Puffin
"Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change," by Michelle Cook, is "part historical, part poetry, and entirely inspirational," as it takes readers through the U.S. civil rights movement, Welcoming Schools says.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change," by Michelle Cook, is "part historical, part poetry, and entirely inspirational," as it takes readers through the U.S. civil rights movement, Welcoming Schools says.
Bloomsbury USA
"Desmond and the Very Mean Word," written by Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams and illustrated by A.G. Ford, is based on a story from Archbishop Desmond Tutu's childhood in South Africa.
Books to teach children about diversity —
"Desmond and the Very Mean Word," written by Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams and illustrated by A.G. Ford, is based on a story from Archbishop Desmond Tutu's childhood in South Africa.
Candlewick Press