Written by: Chitra Soundar Illustrated by: Charlene Chua For ages: 3-5 years Language: English & some Hindi (more is in the Diwali information after the story) Topics Covered: Culture & Traditions, Celebration, Global Community, Hindu, Religion, India, Indian Culture, POC-Centric Narratives. Summary: Shubh Diwali is a short rhyming book introducing Diwali and the celebrations that accompany the 5 day festival. The plot follows…
Tag: poc-centric narratives
Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou
Written by: Bethany Hegedus, forward by Colin Johnson Illustrated by: Tonya Engel For ages: 7-10 years Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Historical Figure, Writer, Activism, Activist. Summary: This is an incredible and lyrical retelling of Maya Angelou’s life, I was hooked instantly upon opening the book. The poetic words take the reader through the life of Maya from a young…
The Proudest Blue
Written by: Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali Illustrated by: Hatem Aly For ages: 4-8 years Language: English Topics Covered: Muslim Identity, Islamophobia, Family, Growing Up, Siblings, Own Voices, Lived Experiences, POC-Centric Narratives, Resilience, Strength. Summary: The Proudest Blue is a story about Asiya’s first day hijab, which she has chosen because it’s the color of the sky. Faizah, Asiya’s younger sister, is our narrator…
Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border
Written by: Mitali Perkins Illustrated by: Sara Palacios For ages: 3-8 years Language: English & some Spanish Topics Covered: Family, Immigration, Border Patrol, POC-Centric Narratives, Latinx, Mexican-American, Culture & Traditions, Love, Growing Up, Global Community. Summary: Even though this is a story centering around Christmas, we felt the need to share it sooner rather than waiting for December to come around! This…
Sunny
Written by: Jason Reynolds Cover Art by: Vanessa Brantley Newton For ages: YA Middle Grades (mention of maternal death) Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Growing Up, Sports, Black Culture & Identity, Track & Field, Dance, Single Parenthood, Friendship, Homeschooling, Resilience, Own Voices. Summary: This is the third in Jason Reynolds’ Track series, this time about team member Sunny. We find out that…
Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War
Written & Illustrated by: Duncan Tonatiuh For ages: 7-11 years Language: English & Spanish Topics Covered: Historical Events, Latinx, Mexican-American Culture, Historical Figure, POC-Centric Narratives, WWI, Activism, Activist, Own Voices. Summary: Luz was born in America, but his family was of Mexican descent. He is teased for it, and sometimes gets in fights. When Luz grows up he becomes a teacher…
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh
Written by: Supriya Kelkar Illustrated by: Alea Marley For ages: 3-7 years Language: English Topics Covered: Social-Emotional Learning, POC-Centric Narratives, Sikhism, Global Community. Summary: We are so flattered to have been contacted by the fantastic @littlefeministbookclub about becoming a part of their influencer program and receiving an affiliate code! This group is doing such fantastic work bringing quality and diverse books…
Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician
Written by: Lesa Cline-Ransome Illustrated by: Raúl Colón For ages: 4-8 years Language: English Topics Covered: STEM, Women in Science, Historical Figure, Space, Segregation, Racism, POC-Centric Narratives, Black Culture & Identity, Historic Events. Summary: Katherine was an incredibly intellectually gifted child, starting 2nd grade at age 6, and 5th grade the year after. Her parents strongly valued education and moved the…
Small World
Written by: Ishta Mercurio Illustrated by: Jen Corace For ages: 3-6 years Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, STEM, Space, Growing Up. Summary: This is a beautiful book about how a person’s world grows with experience. When Nanda was born, her whole world was her mother’s arms. As she grows up, her world becomes bigger, more magical, and more mathematical….
Nya’s Long Walk
Written by: Linda Sue Park Illustrated by: Brian Pinkney For ages: 4-9 years Language: English Topics Covered: Global Community, Africa, African Culture, Sudan, Sudanese Life, Water, Medicine, Family, Siblings, Love, Lived Experiences, POC-Centric Narratives. Summary: Nya and her sister Akeer live in Sudan and must walk a long way to get water. One day when making the journey, Akeer falls…