Here are 10 books for exploring and celebrating our diverse cultures.
Alfredito Flies Home by Jorge Argueta
Alfredito and his family look forward to visiting their relatives in El Salvador for the first time since arriving as refugees in the United States several years before.
The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Yim Bridges
Charming illustrations embellish the story of a young umbrella painter in Thailand. Her original, dancing elephant designs win a village contest and the King’s praise.
Portraits of Jewish-American Heroes by Malka Drucker
Elizabeth Rosen’s striking artwork provides a perfect framework for twenty-one profiles of notable Jewish-Americans, from filmmakers to civil rights activists.
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
The story of gifted athletes, determined owners, discrimination, and international fame is told in first-person, “everyman” style and compelling illustrations.
Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathi by Claire A. Nivola
Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Wangari Maathai, transformed her Kenyan homeland by teaching her people to nurture the land back to health in order to better their lives.
Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad by James Rumford
Rumford’s rich illustrations and elegant calligraphy are woven into the story of a young boy who uses calligraphy to express his feelings about family, war, and dreams of peace.
What Can You Do With a Rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla
A young girl and her family celebrate the many ways they use Mamá’s Mexican rebozos (traditional woven shawls).
The Wakame Gatherers by Holly Thompson
Nanami has two grandmothers—one in Japan and one in Maine. Both grandmothers enjoy sharing their knowledge of gathering and using seaweed in different ways.
Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lyn Williams and Khadra Mohammed
In this story of courage and hope, two girls living in a refugee camp forge a friendship as they devise a way to share a coveted pair of sandals brought by relief workers.
Good Morning China by Hu Yong Yi
This lovely picture book offers vignettes of people doing different activities in a park in China. The fold-out panorama of the entire park at the end of the book is an added treat.
More suggestions for Books for Giving: See our Children’s Classics, Irresistible Books for Children lists, and watch for these lists featuring titles hand-picked by children’s librarians: Chapter Books, Picture Books, Board Books and Nonfiction Books for children.
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