Every year, Multicultural Children’s Book Day encourages people to recognize the need for diverse children’s books. To celebrate this year, we were excited to gather this roundup of new multicultural books for kids. This list includes board books and picture books exploring daily life, simple concepts, holidays, traditions, and more.

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Shabbat Shalom!

Written by Douglas Florian and illustrated by Hannah Tolson

This simple rhyming board book follows a family as they celebrate Shabbat together. The rhyming text walks the reader through their evening, describing their food, and their prayers and songs. The sweet cartoon illustrations highlight the love and joy felt by the family as they spend time together.

We Go To Shul

Written by Douglas Florian and illustrated by Hannah Tolson

This board book follows a young family as they go to synagogue together, greet the rabbi and their friends, and listen to the reading of the Torah together. The simple rhyming text walks the reader through the family’s actions, while the adorable illustrations show the love and joy of the family.

I Am You: A Book about Ubuntu

Written by Refiloe Moahloli and illustrated by Zinelda McDonald

This beautiful book introduces the concept of Ubuntu, which means “I am, because you are”. The ancient philosophy is part of many African cultures, and it celebrates the idea that “a person is a person through other people”. The book uses a simple text and colorful illustrations to introduce the concept to little ones, while celebrating friendship, togetherness, and kindness.

Related Post: Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors

Written by Hena Khan and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

This informative board book introduces young readers to the world of Islam through a peppy rhyming text and beautiful illustrations. Each two page spread focuses on a color, tying it in to a symbol of Islam that kids can recognize or understand. The back of the book includes a glossary explaining some of the words and symbols in the book.

One Sun and Countless Stars: A Muslim Book of Numbers

Written by Hena Khan and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

This informative book of numbers and counting introduces readers to the world of Islam through a rhyming text and colorful illustrations. As the text counts up from 1 to 10, it introduces symbols and traditions of the Islam faith in a manner that is easy for young kids to understand. The back of the book includes a glossary of the terms used in the book, and a note from the author.

Binny’s Diwali

Written by Thrity Umrigar and illustrated by Nicki Chanani

This brightly colored book follows a young girl named Binny as she prepares to share about Diwali – the Festival of Lights – with her class at school. At first, she is nervous, but then her love of the holiday inspires her to share her family’s traditions with her class. The simple text touches on the trepidation that Binny feels sharing something so personal with her classmates, which some kids may understand. It also includes details about some of the traditions, which are highlighted in the vibrant and beautiful illustrations. The back of the book includes information about Diwali, as well as notes from the author and the illustrator.

A Sari for Ammi

Written by Mamta Nainy and illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

In this sweet story, a young girl’s mother, Ammi, weaves the most beautiful saris, but she never gets to wear them. So her two daughters decide to take it upon themselves to raise enough money to buy her a beautiful sari of her own. The vivid colors and the beautiful patterns jump right off the page, and the heartwarming story is something that all families can enjoy and relate to. The back of the book includes information about saris, and a glossary of terms used in the story.

Related Post: Celebrating Diversity in Children’s Literature

My Day with the Panye

Written by Tami Charles and illustrated by Sara Palacios

This story follows a young girl named Fallon, who lives near Port-au-Prince. All she wants is to be able to carry the panye, or basket, on her head while traveling to the market – just like her mother does. As they make their way to the market, her mother encourages her to keep trying, and teaches her the lessons that have been passed down through the generations. The illustrations highlight the beautiful colors of Fallon’s world, and the lively market they visit.

Pura’s Cuentos

Written by Annette Bay Pimentel and illustrated by Magaly Morales

This illustrated biography shares the story of Pura Belpre, the celebrated storyteller and author. The book starts out introducing the reader to Pura’s childhood spent listening to stories from her Abuela. When she grows up and travels to New York City, she takes a job as a librarian, and reads all the books she can get her hands on. But when she doesn’t find any stories from Puerto Rico, she decides to share her Abuela’s stories during the library story time. Eventually she starts writing these stories down so more children can appreciate them. The back of the book includes a note from the author, as well as resources for further research.

Freedom Soup

Written by Tami Charles and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara

This story follows a young girl named Belle as she learns how to make Freedom Soup with her grandmother Ti Gran. As they cook together, Ti Gran tells Belle the history of Freedom Soup, her family, and the country of Haiti. The illustrations highlight the love and joy of the two cooking together and passing traditions from one generation to another. In the back of the book, there is a recipe for Freedom Soup, and a note from the author.

Bisa’s Carnaval

Written by Joana Pastro and illustrated by Carolina Coroa

In this vibrant story of celebration, a young girl named Clara prepares to celebrate Carnaval. She looks through old photos with Bisa, her grandmother, and plans the beautiful costumes they will make this year. But when her grandmother doesn’t go to celebrate with them, Clara feels like something is missing. The text is full of sound effects, making it fun to read aloud, while the bright colors and patterns bring the spirit of Carnaval off the page. The back of the book includes a glossary, as well as notes from the author and the illustrator.

My Casa is My Home

Written by Laurenne Sala and illustrated by Zara Gonzalez Hoang

In this bilingual picture book, a young girl named Lucia introduces readers to her home, her family, and her neighborhood. The text seamlessly weaves Spanish and English together in it’s sentences, while the watercolor illustrations radiate warmth and love from the characters and the cozy home setting. I do wish that there was some translation for the words used in the book so it was easier for non-Spanish speakers to understand, but I liked how easily the text flowed from one language to the other.

What are your favorite new multicultural books for kids? Share them in the comments below!

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