7 Inclusive Children’s Books That Celebrate Diversity and Understanding

Is your little one back to school behind schedule or gearing up to go back to school soon? Such a great way to get back to school with a feel-good stock of books on the bookshelf is by updating the bookshelf. Good story, is not just about entertainment, it can assist in that sleep time goes more smoothly, it becomes a source of curiosity, and even teaches children to better understand incoming social situations, with kindness, and empathy.

Reading alone has been a childhood habit promoted by educators and child experts. It brings creativity, concentration, improves communication and introduces one to come up with new ways. There is nothing as potent as the ability of books to make children aware of other minds and that is where the inclusivity stories are important.

The organization We Need Diverse Books is underlining the significance of representation in the books that children are reading. The inclusion of children and other people in the pages through their reflections enable children to relate themselves to the surrounding world. In that regard, these seven considerate and inclusive books should be considered books to add to your own.

All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell

Covering creativity, kindness and imagination, this touching book teaches children that there are lots of ways to be smart besides reading and maths. It has colorful illustrations and an ensemble of varied characters that make children learn the importance of embracing their distinctive powers.

El Deafo by Cece Bell

This inspired and entertaining graphic novel is the real-life experience of author and illustrator Cece Bell who lost her hearing as a young girl and had to relearn how to deal with the world with the heavy hearing aid. It is amusing, inspirational, and a good teaches-about on the matter of disability, difference, and resilience.

Meet Clarabelle Blue by Adiba Nelson

This story is authored by a mother of a son with cerebral palsy, and it presents a reader with Clarabelle, a vibrant preschooler who can move around in the wheelchair. The book describes such a difficult concept as special needs in a manner easily understandable by children.

Just Because by Rebecca Elliott

His moving story on the love of a brother to his sister, this is narrated in the voice of a young boy who tells all on why he loves his big sister, despite the fact that she cannot do many of the things that others can do. It is straightforward, sincere and well narrated.

This and That by Mem Fox

According to her soft style of narration, Mem Fox has another treasure here with This and That. The illustrations also come naturally to depict the diversity that we are accustomed to in our daily lives even though it is not a direct matter of diversity. One of the sweetest messages of it reminded me that stories can be inclusive and still not didactic.

Fergus and Delilah by Misa Alexander and Michelle Worthington

Taking you through the life of a mother and her son with autism, it is in this picture book that creative illustrations are used where the children have TV sets for heads and wires of different colours as hair, depicting the way some people are wired differently. One fantastic imagery that explains neurodiversity.

Ugly (Young Readers Edition) by Robert Hoge

Ugly was written by Robert Hoge, as a memoir, to young readers of 8 years and higher, and it presents the life of a child who was born with a facial tumour and limb differences. Transparent and liberating, it is the narrative of confidence, choice and self-acceptance. There is also an adult version of the game for older teens.

In case that your child is a fan of young adult fiction, you can also view the list offered by Buzzfeed comprising 31 best YA books with diverse characters.

Books can influence the children on how they perceive themselves and others. Whether your child goes to school again or makes a first step to the lists of classrooms, such stories can make this process more inclusive and understandable.