26 Books That Teach Young Kids About Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality

"Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes" ($11, originally $12)

"Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes" is a playful and rhythmic book that celebrates babies from around the world.

"Peekaboo Morning" ($8, originally $9)

This is an adorable peekaboo book that babies and toddlers will love to play along with.

"Dream Big, Little One" ($8, originally $9)

This book celebrates 18 trailblazing Black women in American history, all in the perfect bedtime story.

"How Do You Say I Love You?" ($8, originally $9)

This book teaches your child how to say "I love you" in 10 different languages — and celebrates cultures associated with those languages along the way.

"A Is For Activist" ($11, originally $12)

This is not your standard alphabet book. Teach your child the ABCs, alongside lessons about activism, justice, protest, and equality.

"We're Different, We're the Same" ($5)

The world would be so boring if everyone was the same. This book celebrates our differences, while reminding readers that deep down, we're all alike.

"Ada Twist, Scientist" ($19, originally $20)

It's easy to celebrate a book that features a young Black girl who loves science. Plus, this book is very fun and playful to read.

"One Word From Sophia" ($18, originally $19)

This book is a great example of the type of families we'd love to see more of in children's books.

"Where Are You From?" ($19, originally $20)

This is a book for anyone who has ever been stumped by the question, "Where are you from?" It's a powerful book on self-acceptance and identity.

"Sofia Valdez, Future Prez" ($19, originally $20)

Sofia and her abuelo inspire young change-makers everywhere as she navigates the local government to make changes in her town.

"I Am Enough" ($19, originally $20)

This book is all about loving and celebrating who you are.

"Last Stop on Market Street" ($18, originally $19)

This story follows a boy and his grandma as they travel to a soup kitchen by bus and meet interesting and unique people along the way.

"The Day You Begin" ($18, originally $19)

This book teaches kids how to navigate a world when they don't feel like they fit in.

"Sulwe" ($17, originally $18)

"Sulwe" is a beautiful story that aims to teach Black girls — and everyone — that dark skin is beautiful.

"This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids From Around the World" ($18, originally $19)

This innovative book allows you to take your kids on a journey around the globe without even leaving the living room!

"One Family" ($8, originally $9)

This book is beautiful in its simplicity. The book celebrates how all families are a little bit different.

"Let's Talk About Race" ($8, originally $9)

This book is another celebration of what makes us unique, while striving to spark conversation between you and your child.

"Beautiful" ($17, originally $18)

Every little kid should have "Beautiful" on their bookshelf. This book celebrates all the qualities that make ALL girls beautiful — independence, strength, uniqueness, and fun.

"Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History" ($16, originally $17)

"Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History" is an important book that tells the stories of black trailblazers in American history. Vashti Harrison also wrote "Little Leaders: Exceptional Men in Black History," which is worth picking up as well.

"Mae Among the Stars" ($19, originally $20)

Learn about the first African-American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison, with this inspiring children's book.

"I Am Human: A Book of Empathy" ($14, originally $15)

This book celebrates acceptance and compassion with inclusive illustrations that showcase many different identities and ways of being.

"A Kids Book About Racism" ($20)

Author Jelani Memory wrote this book because he knows that kids can handle more than we think. This book isn't meant to be read and then put away, but should be a conversation starter for you and your family.

"Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice" ($14)

This book follows two families as they discuss the police shooting of a Black man in their community. It explores the concepts of injustice and trauma in a way that young children can understand.

"Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You" ($17, originally $18)

Written by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, this book celebrates the different abilities kids have. This book encourages readers to "just ask" when we come across someone who is different from us but we're not sure why.

"Beautiful Beautiful Me" ($2)

"Beautiful Beautiful Me" was created to celebrate people of all colors and races. It began as a conversation between a mother and daughter about the differences between her parents' skin colors, and grew into a children's book that teaches kids about loving themselves while celebrating the differences of others.

"The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family" ($17, originally $18)

This book takes readers through the first day of school for two sisters, and one's first day of hijab. Not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, the sisters find new ways to be strong.

Stacy Hersher is the former managing director of PS.

Emma Glassman-Hughes (she/her) is the associate editor at PS Balance. In her seven years as a reporter, her beats have spanned the lifestyle spectrum; she's covered arts and culture for The Boston Globe, sex and relationships for Cosmopolitan, and food, climate, and farming for Ambrook Research.