The Diversity List: Picture, Easy, and Early Chapter Books of 2015
So I’m going to confess something to you. All year long, from January onward, I’ve been keeping track of any picture book, easy book, or early chapter book I’ve seen containing some kind of diversity. Have I missed books? Of course I have! You cannot make a list like this without missing something. Books from publishers like Kar-Ben Books and Inhabit Media (amongst others) should be better represented, but I failed to keep proper track early in the year. There probably isn’t enough Lee & Low or Cinco Punto either. At the same time, the books that I was able to gather could be potentially useful to folks. You will find them organized by their publication release dates.
I apologize beforehand that sometimes the notes here do not mention the specific ethnicities of the characters. Often this is because the book itself has not made it clear. For these titles, you will need to look at the books individually.
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As ever, if you see something missing here please note it in the comments. Also, if you think I’ve included wrong information about a book, let me know so that I can make the change.
Enjoy!
Title Author Pub Date Age Subjects Type
| Families | Shelley Rotner & Sheila M. Kelly | 1/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | family, alternative lifestyles, same sex families | Picture Book |
| 3, 2, 1, Go! | Emily Arnold McCully | 1/1/2015 | Ages 4-6 | strong girls, science girls, STEM | Easy Reader |
| How to Grow a Friend | Sara Gillingham | 1/6/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, nature | Picture Book |
| The Bear Ate Your Sandwich | Julia Sarcone-Roach | 1/6/2015 | Ages 4-6 | nature, bears, cities, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| Last Stop on Market Street | Matt de la Pena | 1/8/2015 | Ages 4-6 | family, multigenerational, lower income, African-American, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| The Tea Party in the Woods | Akiko Miyakoshi | 1/8/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Asian, animals, tea parties | Picture Book |
| Ready, Set, Kindergarten! | Paula Ayer | 1/9/2015 | Ages 4-5 | Diverse Main Character, starting school, biracial | Picture Book |
| My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay | Cari Best | 1/13/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Disability, friendship, sports, African-American, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| Freedom’s School | Lesa Cline-Ransome | 1/13/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, American history, freedom | Picture Book |
| Juna’s Jar | Jane Bank | 1/15/2015 | Ages 3-6 | multi-cultural, moving, Asian-American, friendship, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| Harlem Renaissance Party | Faith Ringgold | 1/27/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, American history | Picture Book |
| Sofia Martinez: My Family Adventure | Jacqueline Jules | 2/1/2015 | Ages 6-9 | family, Latino-American, Diverse Main Character | Chapter Book |
| Sofia Martinez: The Missing Mouse | Jacqueline Jules | 2/1/2015 | Ages 4-6 | family, Latino-American, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| A Dozen Cousins | Lori Haskins Houran | 2/3/2015 | Ages 4-6 | family, Multi-ethnic Cast, boys, girls | Picture Book |
| The New Small Person | Lauren Child | 2/10/2015 | Ages 4-7 | family, new baby, siblings, jealousy, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| I Had a Favorite Hat | Boni Ashburn | 2/17/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, Clothing, Imagination | Picture Book |
| The Red Bicycle | Jude Isabella | 3/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | multi-cultural, Africa, bicycles, philanthropy, world culture, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| The Sock Thief | Ana Crespo | 3/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Latin America, soccer, sports, altruism, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| Jessica’s Box | Peter Carnavas | 3/1/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, Disability, friendship | Picture Book |
| Party Croc! A Folktale from Zimbabwe | Margaret Read McDonald | 3/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, folktale, promises | Picture Book |
| No, No, Kitten! | Shelley Moore Thomas | 3/3/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Cats, Pets | Picture Book |
| Stone Angel | Jane Yolen | 3/3/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, WWII, Holocaust, hope | Picture Book |
| Red | Jan De Kinder | 3/9/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Bullying, Friendship, School | Picture Book |
| Bird & Diz | Gary Golio | 3/10/2015 | Ages 4-7 | jazz, African-American, American history, music, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| My Pen | Christopher Myers | 3/10/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, Imagination, Drawing, Art | Picture Book |
| Red, Yellow, Blue (And a Dash of White Too!) | C.G. Esperanza | 3/10/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Imagination, Colors, Art, African-American | Picture Book |
| Peace Is an Offering | Annette Le Box | 3/10/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, peace, friendship | Picture Book |
| 15 Things Not To Do With a Baby | Margaret McAllister | 3/15/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, new baby, siblings | Picture Book |
| Thank You, Jackson | Niki Daly | 3/15/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, manners, Africa | Picture Book |
| Salsa: Una Poema Para Cocinar / A Cooking Poem | Jorge Argueta | 3/17/2015 | Ages 4-6 | cooking, Latino-American, family, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| And What If I Won’t? | Maureen Fergus | 3/17/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, family, mothers, behavior | Picture Book |
| Drum Dream Girl | Margarita Engle | 3/24/2015 | Ages 5-7 | Diverse Main Character, Cuba, music, girls, multi-racial | Picture Book |
| Families, Families, Families! | Suzanne Lang | 3/24/2015 | Ages 4-6 | family, alternative lifestyles, same sex families | Picture Book |
| How to Surprise a Dad | Jean Reagan | 3/24/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, fathers, family | Picture Book |
| The Best Friend Battle | Lindsay Eyre | 3/31/2015 | Ages 6-9 | friendship, jealousy, Latino-American, Multi-ethnic Cast | Chapter Book |
| The Five of Us | Quentin Blake | 3/31/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, ability, self-esteem | Picture Book |
| Finding the Music / En Pos de la Musica | Jennifer Torres | 4/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Latino-American, music | Picture Book |
| Poems in the Attic | Nikki Grimes | 4/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, family | Picture Book |
| The Flying Hand of Marco B. | Richard Leiter | 4/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, imagination, flying | Picture Book |
| My Family Tree and Me | Dusan Petricic | 4/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Asian-American, biracial, family tree | Picture Book |
| Never Give Up: A Story About Self-esteem | Kathryn Cole | 4/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, self-esteem, perseverance | Picture Book |
| I Am Ivan Crocodile | Rene Gouichoux | 4/1/2015 | Ages 5-7 | bullying, disability, emotions | Picture Book |
| Grandma in Blue With a Red Hat | Scott Menchin | 4/14/2015 | Ages 4-6 | family, multigenerational, art, African-American, Diverse Main Character | Picture Book |
| Hens for Friends | Sandy De Lisle | 4/14/2015 | Ages 5-7 | Diverse Main Character, Latino-American, farm life, chickens | Picture Book |
| There’s No Such Thing As Little | LeUyen Pham | 4/14/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, concepts, perception | Picture Book |
| Little Sleepyhead | Elizabeth McPike | 4/14/2015 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-ethnic Cast, bedtime, babies | Picture Book |
| Little Chanclas | Jose Lozano | 4/15/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Latino-American, clothing | Picture Book |
| Princess Nina | Marlise Achterbergh | 4/21/2015 | Ages 4-6 | alternative lifestyles, princesses, strong girls | Picture Book |
| Big News! | Ida Siegal | 4/28/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, Latino-American, mystery | Chapter Book |
| Never Ask a Dinosaur to Dinner | Gareth Edwards | 4/28/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, dinosaurs, bedtime | Picture Book |
| Izzy Barr, Running Star | Claudia Mills | 4/28/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, sports, friendship, African-American | Chapter Book |
| Race the Wild: Rain Forest Relay | Kristin Earhart | 4/28/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, nature, adventure, animals | Chapter Book |
| The Nesting Quilt | Cathryn Falwell | 5/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, new baby, crafts | Picture Book |
| A Day at Grandma’s | Mi-ae Lee | 5/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Korea, sleepovers, separation, family | Picture Book |
| Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story | Reem Faruqi | 5/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Muslim, holidays, differences | Picture Book |
| Grandma Lives in a Perfume Village | Fang Suzhen | 5/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Taiwan, death, grandparents | Picture Book |
| Ally-Saurus | Richard Torrey | 5/5/2015 | Ages 4-6 | friendship, strong girls, gender stereotypes, dinosaurs | Picture Book |
| Stella Brings the Family | Miriam B. Schiffer | 5/5/2015 | Ages 4-7 | family, alternative lifestyles, same sex families | Picture Book |
| Don’t Throw It to Mo! | David A. Adler | 5/5/2015 | Ages 6-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, Diverse Main Character, sports, football, self-esteem | Easy Reader |
| Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split | Anica Mrose Rissi | 5/5/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, friendship, fighting | Chapter Book |
| Interstellar Cinderella | Deborah Underwood | 5/5/2015 | Ages 3-6 | strong girls, science girls, STEM, fractured fairytales | Picture Book |
| Feet Go to Sleep | Barbara Bottner | 5/12/2015 | Ages 4-6 | family, bedtime, body parts, Multi-ethnic Cast | Picture Book |
| Bright Sky, Starry City | Uma Krishnaswami | 5/12/2015 | Ages 5-7 | science, strong girls, astronomy, urban life | Picture Book |
| With a Friend By Your Side | Barbara Kerley | 5/12/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship | Picture Book |
| Sunday Shopping | Sally Derby | 5/15/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, shopping, money | Picture Book |
| One Family | George Shannon | 5/26/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, alternative lifestyles, family, multigenerational | Picture Book |
| Battle Bugs: The Lizard War | Jack Patton | 5/26/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, action, insects, reptiles, adventure | Chapter Book |
| Battle Bugs: The Spider Siege | Jack Patton | 5/26/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, action, insects, spiders, adventure | Chapter Book |
| In a Village By the Sea | Muon Van | 6/9/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Vietnam, Cumulative Tale | Picture Book |
| What James Said | Liz Rosenberg | 6/9/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, rumors | Picture Book |
| One Word from Sophia | Jim Averbeck | 6/16/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, Diverse Main Character, manners | Picture Book |
| Vamonos! Let’s Go! | Rene Colato Lainez | 7/1/2015 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-ethnic Cast, Latino, nursery rhymes, transportation | Picture Book |
| Rosie Goes to Preschool | Karen Katz | 7/7/2015 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-ethnic Cast, starting school, preschool, friendship | Picture Book |
| Freckleface Strawberry: Backpacks | Julianne Moore | 7/14/2015 | Ages 4-6 | alternative lifestyles, same sex families, cleaning | Easy Reader |
| We’re Getting a Pet | Sue Fliess | 7/14/2015 | Ages 2-4 | Diverse Main Character, new pet, animals | Picture Book |
| Charlotte and the Quiet Place | Deborah Sosin | 7/21/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, New York City, peace | Picture Book |
| Bucky and Stu Vs. The Mikanikal Man | Cornelius Van Wright | 7/28/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, superheroes, imagination, friendship | Picture Book |
| Double Happiness | Nancy Tupper Ling | 7/28/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Asian-American, moving, travel | Picture Book |
| Marvelous Cornelius | Phil Bildner | 7/28/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, hope, hurricanes, African-American | Picture Book |
| Shanghai Sukkah | Heidi Smith Hyde | 8/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, China, history, holidays | Picture Book |
| Talia and the Very Yum Kippur | Linda Elovitz Marshall | 8/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main character, Jewish, holidays | Picture Book |
| Meg Goldberg on Parade | Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum | 8/1/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Jewish, parades, New York City | Picture Book |
| The Seeds of Friendship | Michael Foreman | 8/4/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, immigrants, friendship, Africa | Picture Book |
| The Great and Mighty Nikko! | Xavier Garza | 8/4/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, bilingual, Latin-American, counting, Mexican wrestling | Picture Book |
| I’m New Here | Anne Sibley O’Brien | 8/4/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, immigration, immigrants, friendship | Picture Book |
| The Green Musician | Mahvash Shahegh | 8/7/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Muslim, folktales | Picture Book |
| Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox | Danielle Daniel | 8/11/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, feelings, animals, Native American | Picture Book |
| In the Canyon | Liz Garton Scanlon | 8/18/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, nature, animals | Picture Book |
| Pumpkin Day! | Candice Ransom | 8/25/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, autumn, seasons | Easy Reader |
| Happy In Our Skin | Fran Manushkin | 8/25/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, self-esteem, celebrating differences | Picture Book |
| Mango, Abuela, and Me | Meg Medina | 8/25/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, grandparents, immigration, Latino-American | Picture Book |
| Leo | Mac Barnett | 8/25/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, ghosts, friendship | Picture Book |
| Elephant in the Dark | Mina Javaherbin | 8/25/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, Iran, folktale | Picture Book |
| What Does It Mean to be Kind? | Rana DiOrio | 8/25/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, kindness, life skills | Picture Book |
| My Two Blankets | Irena Kobold | 9/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, immigrants, friendship, Africa | Picture Book |
| On the Ball: Unleash Your Imagination | Brian Pinkney | 9/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, soccer, persistence | Picture Book |
| In a Cloud of Dust | Alma Fullerton | 9/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Africa, bicycles | Picture Book |
| Mama’s Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation | Edwidge Danticat | 9/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, immigration, separation, Carribean | Picture Book |
| Sail Away | Langston Hughes | 9/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, poetry, water | Picture Book |
| Poo in the Zoo | Steve Smallman | 9/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, zoo, poop, rhyming picture books | Picture Book |
| Sadako’s Cranes | Judith Loske | 9/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Japan, WWII, hope, peace | Picture Book |
| Backyard Camp-Out | Jerdine Nolen | 9/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, camping, friendship | Easy Reader |
| Block Party Surprise | Jerdine Nolen | 9/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, parties, friendship | Easy Reader |
| Monster Trouble! | Lane Fredrickson | 9/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, monsters, bedtime | Picture Book |
| The Little Kids’ Table | Mary Ann McCabe Riehle | 9/1/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, holidays, dinner, manners | Picture Book |
| Lizard From the Park | Mark Pett | 9/8/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, NYC, dinosaurs, friendship | Picture Book |
| Oskar and the Eight Blessings | Richard & Tanya Simon | 9/8/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, NYC, holocaust, Hannukah, Christmas | Picture Book |
| I Am a Bear | Jean-Francois Dumont | 9/8/2015 | Ages 4-7 | homelessness, poverty, compassion, bears | Picture Book |
| It’s Tough to Lose Your Balloon | Jarrett J. Krosoczka | 9/8/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, feelings, problem solving | Picture Book |
| Jumping Off Library Shelves: A Book of Poems | Lee Bennett Hopkins (ed) | 9/8/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, poetry, libraries | Picture Book |
| Flop to the Top | Eleanor Davis | 9/15/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, friendship, popularity, pets | Easy Reader |
| P’esk’a and the First Salmon Ceremony | Scot Ritchie | 9/15/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Native Americans, history | Picture Book |
| Oscar Lives Next Door | Bonnie Farmer | 9/15/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, jazz, music, illness | Picture Book |
| Miracle on 133rd Street | Sonia Manzano | 9/22/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, NYC, Latino-American, Christmas | Picture Book |
| How the Sun Got to Coco’s House | Bob Graham | 9/22/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Multi-ethinic Cast, daytime, the world | Picture Book |
| Roar! | Tammi Sauer | 9/29/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, dragons, friendship | Picture Book |
| Kamik’s First Sled | Matilda Sulurayok | 10/1/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Native voices, dogs | Picture Book |
| Ketzel the Cat Who Composed | Leslea Newman | 10/6/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, cats, music | Picture Book |
| Mixed Me! | Taye Diggs | 10/6/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, biracial, self-esteem | Picture Book |
| Little Shaq | Shaquilloe O’Neal | 10/6/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, basketball, African-American, self-esteem | Chapter Book |
| Two White Rabbits | Jairo Buitrago | 10/13/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Mexico, migrants, immigration | Picture Book |
| West Meadow Detectives | Liam O’Donnell | 10/13/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, autism, detective stories | Chapter Book |
| Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit | David Biedrzycki | 10/13/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, Christmas, dragons, poverty | Picture Book |
| Today is the Day | Eric Walters | 10/13/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, orphans, Kenya, birthdays | Picture Book |
| Bottle Cap Boys Go Dancing on Royal Street | Rita Williams-Garcia | 10/15/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, dance, New Orleans | Picture Book |
| Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein | Amanda Peet & Andrea Troyer | 10/20/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, Christmas, Hanukkah | Picture Book |
| Pablo & Jane and the Hot Air Contraption | Jose Domingo | 10/20/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, graphic novels, adventure | Chapter Book |
| Little Red Gliding Hood | Tara Lazar | 10/27/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Diverse Main Character, fairy tales, ice skating, fractured fairy tales | Picture Book |
| Strictly No Elephants | Lisa Mantchev | 10/27/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, differences, inclusion, pets | Picture Book |
| I Can’t Wait! | Amy Schwartz | 10/27/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, emotions | Picture Book |
| Bigfoot Does Not Like Birthday Parties | Eric Ode | 10/27/2015 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, Bigfoot, birthday parties | Picture Book |
| One Today | Richard Blanco | 11/3/2015 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, poetry, patriotism | Picture Book |
| Lola Levine is Not Mean! | Monica Brown | 11/3/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, biracial, Jewish, Latino-American | Chapter Book |
| Specs for Rex | Yasmeen Ismail | 11/3/2015 | Ages 4-7 | glasses, self-esteem, first day of school | Picture Book |
| The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk | Kabir & Surishtha Sehgal | 11/3/2015 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-ethnic Cast, India, nursery rhymes, transportation | Picture Book |
| Snow Rabbit | Camille Garoche | 11/3/2015 | Ages 4-6 | Disability, sisters, nature, rabbits | Picture Book |
| The Little Tree | Muon Van | 11/10/2015 | Ages 4-7 | adoption, nature, environment | Picture Book |
| Don’t Feed the Geckos | Karen English | 12/1/2015 | Ages 6-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, soccer, cousins, Latino, family | Chapter Book |
Filed under: Uncategorized
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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MY NAME IS AVIVA by Lesléa Newman, diverse main character, Jewish. Aviva is teased for her unusual first name. After learning the story of her great-grandmother for whom she was named, she learns to be proud of who she is. Published by Kar-Ben, August 2015.
As I suspected, I missed a load of Kar-Bens. Thanks!
I thought Ben Hatke’s “Little Robot” (First Second; Sept 2015) should be on this list, but maybe you consider the robot to be the main character. The little girl could be black — maybe latina also. I thought multiple protagonists for this one but maybe I’m wrong.
How about “Happy in Our Skin” by Fran Manushkin (Candelwick Press; Aug 2015)?
Excellent both of them. Not sure how I missed including Little Robot. I guess I have that on a middle grade list, rather than early chapter. It’s difficult to categorize graphic novels sometimes.
Sorry I’m not the best at categorizing. I’m sure you are correct that “Little Robot” is MG.
Thanks for your list. There are a number of books I still need to read.
It’s there, I’m happy to say!
I wish this list included the names of the illustrators.
True. It’s taken from a spreadsheet that just included authors. I can try to amend it with illustrators for next year. Good thinking!
Particularly since it’s often the illustrator who chooses to make an uncategorized character non-white.
Point.
Thanks for this great list! Two more that come to mind are Water is Water — Jason Chin’s illustrations feature a diverse cast — and Over the Hills and Far Away which was published in the U.S. this year and has gorgeous, diverse illustrations.
Thanks for this list! My book, The King Cake Baby, Pelican Publishing Co., January 2015, is a fractured fairy tale, the Gingerbread Man tale retold New Orleans style. The plastic baby hidden inside our traditional Mardi Gras cakes run from an old Creole couple and others through his French Quarter neighborhood. Celebrates my culture and traditions. 🙂
Oooh, I will look for this! Thanks.
Over the River and Through the Woods by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Kim Smith published October 6 has a multi-ethnic cast, and diverse families represented.
Snowman Shuffle by Christianne Jones is a board book with an African American girl as the protagonist. August 1st.
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper published February 1
Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagura Sept 22
Lillian’s Right to Vote by Jonah Winters July 14
New Shoes by Susan Meyer January 30
Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can October 6
Granddaddy’s Turn by Michael Bandy July 14
I can think of a couple of picture book biographies or picture book nonfiction history, but I wasn’t clear on whether you were including nonfiction too.
No nonfiction, no, but great suggestions here. Thanks!
Great list! Thank you! I’ve been doing the same. Here ya go….
Pool, Jihyeon Lee
Dia de los Muertos, Roseanne Greenfield Thong and Carles Ballesteros
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras, Duncan Tonatiuh
Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America, Carole Boston Weatherford and Jamey Christoph
Trombone Shorty, Troy Andrews
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, Laurie Ann Thompson
The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage, Selina Alko
Pool! Can’t believe I missed it. The others are great nonfiction reads. I wasn’t doing nonfiction this time around, but if I make a list they’ll be sure to go on it. Thanks!
Bird: See my AMAZING PLACES (Lee & Low) starred in both PW and KIRKUS and a KIRKUS
Best Book of 2015, illustrated by Chris Soentiepiet and Christy Hale. And a Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Thanks for this list and for including Sofia Martinez: My Family Adventure
This is fantastic. Any chance you could share it as a Google Sheet?
Hm. No, but I can email you an Excel file. Would that work?
As I wrote privately to Betsy–Mark Teague has been doing this for years with our How Do DInosaurs books, the latest of which was HOW DO DINOSAURS STAY SAFE and HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY I’M MAD. The dinos families are as differently configured–Black, Asian, Caucasian, occasionally mixed races, and the other children in various settings are all colors as well.
Plus my new picture book THE STONE ANGEL is about Parisian Jews who escape the Nazis, and part of the rescue includes a Spanish boat captain.
Hi, Betsy–thanks for doing this! I see someone already mentioned OVER THE RIVER & THROUGH THE WOOD (illustrated by Kim Smith) which includes same-sex parents, multi-racial families and adopted kids.
And if you’re starting a list for 2016 (sorry!), HENRY WANTS MORE (illustrated by Brooke Boynton Hughes, Random House, January ’16) features a bi-racial family. Thanks!
I much appreciate your listing as well as the additional titles suggested by others. That said, I noticed you mentioned “any picture book, easy book, or early chapter book I’ve seen containing some kind of diversity.” Can one assume you approve or endorse the diversity and how it is depicted in these books? My question may be related to the request for names of illustrators. To me, one of the keys to how diversity is communicated is closely linked to how it is depicted. Some illustrators do a better job of portraying realistic characters that appeal to young readers than other illustrators–to me, an important aspect of helping everyone understand that even though we are diverse, we are basically alike, and illustrations are a key aspect of the message.
An observation: In the children’s room this weekend with my preschool grandchildren, I noticed a number of featured picture books included more diversity than I’ve often seen. Intentional or not, much appreciated!
An interesting question. As it happens, I did not limit the list to those books I particularly liked. Were I making a Best Books list, that would be one thing. Instead, I wanted to take myself out of the equation and just list everything out there that I saw (though as the comments show, I missed quite a bit). I can honestly say that there aren’t any books on this list that I heartily dislike, but by the same token I say some of these titles are more successful than others.