The Diversity List: Picture, Easy, and Early Chapter Books of 2016
Not too long ago I created the 31 Days, 31 Lists series where I counted down a list of top 2016 books every day. When I initially came up with the idea I briefly wondered if I should make lists celebrating specific kinds of diversity. Top African-American Picture Books of 2016 or Best Diverse Titles. Instead, I made certain that each list was wholly diverse in and of itself. After all, I knew that I had today’s list waiting in the wings.
Since January of 2016 I’ve kept track of all picture books, easy books, and early chapter books published in ’16 that contain diversity on their pages. They are placed here in order of publication date. Please note that you will not find board books, nonfiction, or young adult books on this list. I also 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 specified anything. For these titles, you will need to look at the books individually.
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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.
Title Author Pub Date Age Subjects Type
| Museum Mysteries: The Case of the Stolen Space Suit | Steve Brezenoff, ill. Lisa K. Weber | 1/1/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, Muslim, mysteries | Chapter Book |
| Cici, A Fairy’s Tale: Believe Your Eyes | Cori Doerrfeld, ill. Tyler Page | 1/1/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, fairies, Latino | Chapter Book |
| Freedom in Congo Square | Carole Boston Weatherford | 1/5/2016 | Ages 4-7 | African-American, history, slavery, dance | Picture Book |
| First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation On Trial | Susan E. Goodman | 1/5/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, segregation, American history | Picture Book |
| Worm Loves Worm | J.J. Austrian | 1/5/2016 | Ages 3-6 | marriage, gender roles, worms | Picture Book |
| Kenya’s Art | Linda Trice, ill. Hazel Mitchell | 1/5/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, recycling, art | Picture Book |
| Lola Levine Drama Queen | Monica Brown, ill. Angela Dominguez | 1/5/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, Latino, Jewish, theater | Chapter Book |
| I Hear a Pickle (and Smell, See, Touch, and Taste It, Too!) | Rachel Isadora | 1/12/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, senses, friendship | Picture Book |
| Northando’s Journey | Jill Apperson Manly, ill. Alyssa Casey | 1/19/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Africa, animals | Picture Book |
| Spirit Week Showdown | Crystal Allen | 1/26/2016 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, friendship, bullying | Chapter Book |
| Spare Dog Parts | Alison Hughes, ill. Ashley Spires | 1/26/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, pets, dogs | Picture Book |
| Henry Wants More! | Linda Ashman, ill. Brooke Boynton Hughes | 1/26/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, bi-racial, bedtime | Picture Book |
| Don’t Call Me Grandma | Vaunda Micheaux Nelson | 2/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, grandparents, family | Picture Book |
| I See and See | Ted Lewin | 2/1/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, everyday life, drawing | Picture Book |
| Looking for Bongo | Eric Velasquez | 2/1/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, toys, mystery, African American, Latino-American | Picture Book |
| How to Catch a Leprechaun | Adam Wallace, ill. Andy Elkerton | 2/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, engineering, STEM, holidays | Picture Book |
| Little Bitty Friends | Elizabeth McPike | 2/2/2016 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-ethnic Cast, concepts, size, baby animals | Picture Book |
| Who Is Happy? | Jarvis | 2/4/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, feelings, emotions | Picture Book |
| A Beginner’s Guide to Bear Spotting | Michelle Robinson | 2/9/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, how-to guide, nature, bears | Picture Book |
| The Quickest Kid in Clarksville | Pat Zietlow Miller, ill. Frank Morrison | 2/9/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, American history, friendship, sports | Picture Book |
| Into the Snow | Yuki Kanecko, ill. Masamitsu Saito | 2/9/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, weather, snow | Picture Book |
| Bringing the Outside In | Mary McKenna Siddals, ill. Patrice Barton | 2/9/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, spring, playtime, friendship, cleaning | Picture Book |
| If I Had a Gryphon | Vikki Vansickle, ill. Cale Atkinson | 2/9/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, pets, monsters | Picture Book |
| Lily’s New Home | Paula Yoo, ill. Shirley Ng-Benitez | 2/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, moving, friendship, cities | Easy Reader |
| Want to Play? | Paula Yoo, ill. Shirley Ng-Benitez | 2/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, games | Easy Reader |
| Get a Hit, Mo! | David A. Adler | 2/16/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, baseball, sports | Easy Reader |
| Always Remember | Cece Meng | 2/16/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Death, sea creatures, oceans | Picture Book |
| The Importance of Being 3 | Lindsay Ward | 2/16/2016 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-ethnic Cast, preschoolers, ages | Picture Book |
| Ida Always | Caron Levis | 2/23/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Death, polar bears, friendship, zoos | Picture Book |
| Emma and Julia Love Ballet | Barbara McClintock | 2/23/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, ballet, dance, dreams | Picture Book |
| EllRay Jakes Stands Tall! | Sally Warner | 2/23/2016 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, sports, basketball | Chapter Book |
| The Dead Bird | Margaret Wise Brown | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, death, emotions | Picture Book |
| The Fintastic Fishsitter | Mo O’Hara | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, zombies, vampires, pets | Picture Book |
| Samira and the Skeletons | Camilla Kuhn | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, science, body parts | Picture Book |
| The Sound of All Things | Myron Uhlberg, ill. Ted Papoulas | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Disability, Deaf, New York | Picture Book |
| Have You Seen Elephant? | David Barrow | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, games, friendship | Picture Book |
| Are We There Yet? | Nina Laden, ill. Adam McCauley | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, family vacations, imagination | Picture Book |
| Treat | Mary Sullivan | 3/1/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, dogs, pets, family | Picture Book |
| Wild Eggs: A Tale of Arctic Egg Collecting | Suzie Napayok-Short, ill. Jonathan Wright | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Inuit, grandparents, family | Picture Book |
| Good Morning Yoga | Mariam Gates, ill. Sarah Jane Hinder | 3/1/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, exercise, yoga | Picture Book |
| Dario and the Whale | Cheryl Lawton Malone, ill. Bistra Masseva | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Latino, whales, friendship, single mothers | Picture Book |
| Salad Pie | Wendy BooydeGraaff, ill. Bryan Langdo | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, friendship, sharing | Picture Book |
| Normal Norman | Tara Lazar, ill. Stephan Britt | 3/1/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Science, animals, individuality | Picture Book |
| Friends | Aiko Ikegami | 3/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, friendship, differences | Picture Book |
| Shabbat Hiccups | Tracy Newman, ill. Ilana Exelby | 3/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, hiccups, holidays | Picture Book |
| Andy & Sandy’s Anything Adventure | Jim Lewis | 3/8/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, imagination | Easy Reader |
| When Andy Met Sandy | Jim Lewis | 3/8/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, playgrounds | Easy Reader |
| Babies Don’t Walk, They Ride! | Kathy Henderson | 3/8/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, babies, families | Picture Book |
| How to Find Gold | Viviane Schwarz | 3/8/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, imagination, treasure hunt, friendship | Picture Book |
| Puddle | Hyewon Yum | 3/8/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, imagination, rain | Picture Book |
| Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph | Roxane Orgill | 3/8/2016 | Ages 6-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, History, Jazz, New York City | Picture Book |
| Bye-Bye Binky | Maria Van Lieshout | 3/8/2016 | Ages 2-4 | Diverse Main Character, behavior, pacifiers | Picture Book |
| The Typewriter | Bill Thomson | 3/8/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, words, imagination | Picture Book |
| Every Breath We Take: A Book About Air | Maya Ajmera & Dominique Browning | 3/8/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, air, environment | Easy Reader |
| The Kicks: Settle the Score | Alex Morgan | 3/8/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, sports, soccer, friendship | Chapter Book |
| Green City | Allan Drummond | 3/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, environment, disasters | Picture Book |
| More Than Enough: A Passover Story | April Halprin Wayland | 3/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Jewish, holidays, Passover | Picture Book |
| You Are One | Sara O’Leary, ill. Karen Klassen | 3/15/2016 | Ages 1-3 | Multi-ethnic Cast, toddlers, growing up | Picture Book |
| Missing Nimama | Melanie Florence, ill. Francois Thisdale | 3/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Native Americans, absent parents | Picture Book |
| California and the Magic Island | Doug Hansen | 3/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, California, history, animals | Picture Book |
| I Want a Monster! | Elise Gravel | 3/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, monsters, pets, funny, readaloud | Picture Book |
| Malaika’s Costume | Nadia L. Hohn, ill. Irene Luxbacher | 3/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Carribean, holidays, costumes | Picture Book |
| Isaac and His Amazing Asperger Superpowers | Melanie Walsh | 3/22/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Aspergers, superheroes | Picture Book |
| Captain Jack and the Pirates | Peter Bently | 3/29/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, pirates, imagination | Picture Book |
| The Storm | Akiko Miyakoshi | 4/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, weather, disappointment | Picture Book |
| Kopecks for Blintzes | Judy Goldman, ill. Susan Batori | 4/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, fables | Picture Book |
| Luis Paints the World | Terry Farish, ill. Oliver Dominguez | 4/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, military families, art | Picture Book |
| Fishing With Grandma | Susan Avingaq & Maren Vsetula, ill. Charlene Chua | 4/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Inuit, fishing, grandparents | Picture Book |
| Not Opposites | Linda Ragsdale, ill. Imodraj | 4/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, bullying, friendship | Picture Book |
| Elliot | Julie Pearson, ill. Mason Gauthier | 4/4/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, foster care, developmental issues | Picture Book |
| The Data Set: March of the Mini Beasts | Ada Hopper, ill. Sam Ricks | 4/5/2016 | Ages 6-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, science, adventure | Chapter Book |
| D is for Dress Up | Maria Carluccio | 4/5/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, imagination, alphabet, dress-up | Picture Book |
| The Data Set: Don’t Disturb the Dinosaurs | Ada Hopper, ill. Sam Ricks | 4/5/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, science, dinosaurs | Chapter Book |
| Are We There Yet? | Dan Santat | 4/12/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, multi-racial family, family vacations | Picture Book |
| Maggie and Michael | Denise Fleming | 4/12/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, getting dressed, family, pets | Picture Book |
| Playing From the Heart | Peter H. Reynolds | 4/12/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, music, family | Picture Book |
| Brave Like Me | Barbara Kerley | 4/12/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, military families, absent parents | Picture Book |
| Tell Me a Tattoo Story | Alison McGhee, ill. Eliza Wheeler | 4/12/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Tattoos, family, bedtime | Picture Book |
| Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood | F. Isabel Campoy & Theresa Howell, ill. Rafael Lopez | 4/12/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, art, urban renewal | Picture Book |
| Joseph’s Big Ride | Terry Farish, ill. Ken Daley | 4/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, African, refugees, bicycles | Picture Book |
| Maya | Mahak Jain, ill. Elly MacKay | 4/15/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, India, single parent, fears | Picture Book |
| Teachers Rock! | Todd Parr | 4/19/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, teachers, school | Picture Book |
| The Lending Zoo | Frank Asch | 4/19/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, libraries, zoos | Picture Book |
| Girl With the Parrot On Her Head | Daisy Hirst | 4/26/2016 | Ages 2-5 | Diverse Main Character, friendship, change | Picture Book |
| Twenty Yawns | Jane Smiley | 4/26/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, bi-racial family, bedtime | Picture Book |
| Little Shaq Takes a Chance | Shaquille O’Neal, ill. Theodore Taylor III | 4/26/2016 | Ages 6-9 | Diverse Main Character, sports, self-esteem | Chapter Book |
| The Fantastic Frame:Danger! Tiger Crossing | Lin Oliver, ill. Samantha Kallis | 4/26/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, art, history | Chapter Book |
| The Fantastic Frame: Splat! Another Messy Sunday | Lin Oliver, ill. Samantha Kallis | 4/26/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, art, history | Chapter Book |
| I Have Cerebral Palsy | Mary Beth Springer | 4/30/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, disability, differences | Picture Book |
| A Morning With Grandpa | Sylvia Liu, ill. Christina Forshay | 5/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Asian-American, yoga, exercise | Picture Book |
| Real Sisters Pretend | Megan Dowd Lambert, ill. Nicole Tadgell | 5/1/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, adoption, family, African-American | Picture Book |
| Dragonfly Kites | Tomson Highway, ill. Julie Flett | 5/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Native American, nature | Picture Book |
| The Boy Who Said Nonsense | Felicia Sanzari Chernesky, ill. Nichola Anderson | 5/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, counting, autism spectrum | Picture Book |
| Before We Met | Laura Krauss Melmed | 5/3/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, new baby, parenting | Picture Book |
| If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, DON’T! | Elise Parsley | 5/3/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, Diverse Main Character, beach | Picture Book |
| Suite for Human Nature | Diane Charlotte Lampert | 5/3/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, music, myth | Picture Book |
| The Chameleon That Saved Noah’s Ark | Yael Molchadsky, ill. Orit Bergman | 5/3/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, Jewish, Bible stories, nature | Picture Book |
| I Wonder: Celebrating Daddies Doin’ Work | Doyin Richards | 5/3/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, fathers, family | Picture Book |
| One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree | Daniel Bernstrom, ill. by Brendan Wenzel | 5/3/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, rhyming stories, folktales, funny | Picture Book |
| Hiccups! | Holly Sterling | 5/5/2016 | Ages 2-4 | Diverse Main Character, readalouds, dogs, pets, hiccups | Picture Book |
| Thunder Boy Jr. | Sherman Alexie | 5/10/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Native Americans, names | Picture Book |
| Blocks | Irene Dickson | 5/10/2016 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, cooperation | Picture Book |
| More-igami | Dori Kleber, ill. G. Brian Karas | 5/10/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, origami, patience | Picture Book |
| The Airplane Book | Lisa Brown | 5/10/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, Airplanes, Family | Picture Book |
| Beard Boy | John Flannery | 5/10/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, fathers, family | Picture Book |
| The Girl Who Saved Yesterday | Julius Lester, ill. Carl Angel | 5/10/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, family, memory, ancestors | Picture Book |
| Blocks | Irene Dickson | 5/10/2016 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-ethnic Cast, toys, cooperation, friendship | Picture Book |
| Leo Can Swim | Anna McQuinn, ill. Ruth Hearson | 5/10/2016 | Ages 2-4 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, swimming | Picture Book |
| We Came to America | Faith Ringgold | 5/10/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, immigration, America | Picture Book |
| Marisol McDonald and the Monster / Marisol McDonald Y El Monstruo | Monica Brown, ill. Sara Palacios | 5/15/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Latino, monsters, fear, interracial marriage | Picture Book |
| Rosa’s Very Big Job | Ellen Mayer, ill. Sarah Vonthron-Laver | 5/15/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, imagination, grandparents | Picture Book |
| Over the Ocean | Taro Gomi | 5/17/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, imagination, world | Picture Book |
| Excellent Ed | Stacy McAnulty, ill. Julia Sarcone-Roach | 5/17/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, dogs, pets, family | Picture Book |
| The Two Tims | Dave Elliott, ill. Gabriel Alborozo | 5/24/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, jealousy, feelings | Picture Book |
| The Gold Medal Mess | David A. Kelly, ill. Scott Brundage | 5/24/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, mystery, sports | Chapter Book |
| The Seven Princesses | Smiljana Coh | 5/24/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, bi-racial, princesses, siblings | Picture Book |
| The Soccer Surprise | David A. Kelly, ill. Scott Brundage | 5/24/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, sports, mysteries | Chapter Book |
| Princess! Fairy! Ballerina! | Bethanie Deeney Murguia | 5/31/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, imagination, dress-up, girl power, friendship | Picture Book |
| A Charmed Life / Una Vida Con Suerte | Gladys E. Barbieri, ill. Lisa Fields | 5/31/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Latino, immigration, | Picture Book |
| I’m a Girl | Yasmeen Ismail | 5/31/2016 | Ages 3-6 | girl power, gender norms, girls | Picture Book |
| Those That Cause Fear | Neil Christopher, ill. Germaine Arnaktauyok | 6/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Inuit, myths, folktales | Picture Book |
| Police Officer | Lucy M. George, ill. AndoTwin | 6/7/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, community helpers, police | Picture Book |
| Steamboat School | Deborah Hopkinson, ill. Ron Husband | 6/7/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, American history, reading | Picture Book |
| A Piece of Home | Jeri Watts, ill. Hyewon Yum | 6/14/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Asian-American, grandparents, immigrants | Picture Book |
| Mama the Alien / Mama la Extraterrestre | Rene Colato Lainez, ill. Laura Lacamara | 6/15/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, mothers, aliens, immigration, Latin America | Picture Book |
| City Shapes | Bryan Collier | 6/21/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, shapes, New York City | Picture Book |
| Maybe Mother Goose | Esme Raji Codell, ill. Elisa Chavarri | 6/21/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, nursery rhymes, funny, readalouds | Picture Book |
| The Storyteller | Evan Turk | 6/28/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, storytelling, fables, Morocco, Africa | Picture Book |
| Dan Can! | Marie Powell, ill. Amy Cartwright | 7/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, word families, phonetics | Easy Reader |
| Stop, Pop! | Marie Powell, ill. Amy Cartwright | 7/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, word families, phonetics | Easy Reader |
| When, Jen? | Marie Powell, ill. Amy Cartwright | 7/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, word families, phonetics | Easy Reader |
| The Class | Boni Ashburn, ill. Kimberly Gee | 7/5/2016 | Ages 4-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, first day of school, Kindergarten | Picture Book |
| The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read | Curtis Manley, ill. Kate Berube | 7/5/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, reading, cats, pets | Picture Book |
| Ming Goes to School | Deirdre Sullivan, illus. by Maja Löfdahl | 7/5/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, first day of school, friendship | Picture Book |
| Lowriders to the Center of the Earth | Cathy Camper, ill. Raul the Third | 7/5/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Latino, graphic novels, adventure | Chapter Book |
| Mission: Back to School | Susan Hood, ill. Mary Lundquist | 7/5/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, first day of school, Kindergarten, spies | Picture Book |
| Lola Levine and the Ballet Scheme | Monica Brown, ill. Angela Dominguez | 7/5/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, Latino, Jewish, ballet, soccer, sports | Chapter Book |
| Sing With Me! | Naoko Stoop | 7/12/2016 | Ages 0-2 | Multi-ethnic Cast, nursery rhymes, songs | Picture Book |
| Mitzi Tulane, Preschool Detective in What’s That Smell? | Lauren McLaughlin, ill. Debbie Ridpath Ohi | 7/12/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, mystery, birthday | Picture Book |
| Look Up! | Jung Jin-Ho | 7/15/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, disability, friendship | Picture Book |
| La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes for Los Ninos | Susan Middleton Elya, ill. Juana Martinez-Neal | 7/19/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, nursery rhymes, Spanish | Picture Book |
| Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion | Alex T. Smith | 7/26/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, fairy tales, Africa, strong girls | Picture Book |
| Apple Picking Day! | Candice Ransom, ill. Erika Meza | 7/26/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, apples, fall | Easy Reader |
| Princess Easy Pleasy | Natasha Sharma, ill. Priya Kuriyan | 7/26/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, princess, picky eaters, travel | Picture Book |
| The Sound of Silence | Katrina Goldsaito | 8/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Japan, cities, sound | Picture Book |
| You Belong to Me | Mamoru Suzuki | 8/1/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, parents, family | Picture Book |
| That’s Not a Hippopotamus! | Juliette Maclver, ill. Sarah Davis | 8/1/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, zoo, mystery, animals | Picture Book |
| Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library | Julie Gassman, ill. Andy Elkerton | 8/1/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, libraries, dragons | Picture Book |
| When I Am With Dad | Kimball Crossley, ill. Katie Gamb | 8/1/16 | Ages 3-6 | Divorce, single parents, fathers | Picture Book |
| Underneath My Bed: List Poems | Brian P. Cleary, ill. Richard Watson | 8/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, poetry, funny | Picture Book |
| Dear Molly, Dear Olive: Molly Meets Trouble (Whose Real Name Is Jenna) | Megan Atwood, ill. Lucy Fleming | 8/1/16 | Ages 7-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, epistolary | Chapter Book |
| Dear Molly, Dear Olive: Olive Spins a Tale (and It’s a Doozy) | Megan Atwood, ill. Lucy Fleming | 8/1/16 | Ages 7-9 | Multi-ethnic Cast, friendship, epistolary | Chapter Book |
| Ellie Ultra: An Extra-Ordinary Girl | Gina Bellisario, ill. Jessika von Innerebner | 8/1/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, superheroes, self-esteem | Chapter Book |
| Ellie Ultra: Queen of the Spelling Bee | Gina Bellisario, ill. Jessika von Innerebner | 8/1/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, superheroes, school | Chapter Book |
| Me and My Cat | Michael Dahl, ill. Zoe Persico | 8/1/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, pets, cats | Picture Book |
| The Flower Girl Wore Celery | Meryl G. Gordon, ill. Holly Clifton-Brown | 8/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, same-sex marriage, weddings | Picture Book |
| Mary Had a Little Glam | Tammi Sauer, ill. Vanessa Brantley-Newton | 8/2/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, fashion, nursery rhymes | Picture Book |
| Kiviuq and the Mermaids | Noel McDermott, ill. Toma Feizo Gas | 8/8/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, Inuit, mermaids, scary | Picture Book |
| Chirri & Chirra | Kaya Doi | 8/9/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Japan, imagination | Picture Book |
| 10 Busy Brooms | Carole Gerber, ill. Michael Fleming | 8/9/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, witches, Halloween | Picture Book |
| A Case of Sense | Songju Daemicke, ill. Shennen Bersani | 8/10/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, senses, greed | Picture Book |
| Goodby Summer, Hello Autumn | Kenard Pak | 8/16/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, seasons, autumn | Picture Book |
| The Sleeping Gypsy | Mordicai Gerstein | 8/22/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, painting, lions | Picture Book |
| Marta Big & Small | Jen Arena, ill. Angela Dominguez | 8/23/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Spanish, bilingual, opposites | Picture Book |
| Can One Balloons Make an Elephant Fly? | Dan Richards, ill. Jeff Newman | 8/23/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, zoo, imagination | Picture Book |
| Box | Min Flyte, ill. Rosalind Beardshaw | 8/23/16 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-ethnic Cast, imagination, playtime | Picture Book |
| Cleonardo, the Little Inventor | Mary GrandPre | 8/30/16 | Ages 4-7 | strong girls, gender norms, girls, inventions | Picture Book |
| Pedro: First Grade Hero | Fran Manushkin, ill. Tammie Lyon | 9/1/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, friendship, differences | Chapter Book |
| Yosef’s Dream | Sylvia Rouss & Ambassador Asher Naim, ill. Tamar Blumenfeld | 9/1/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, Ethiopia | Picture Book |
| Cici, A Fairy’s Tale: Truth in Sight | Cori Doerrfeld, ill. Tyler Page | 9/1/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, fairies, Latino | Chapter Book |
| ADH-Me! | John S. Hutton, ill. Lisa M. Griffin | 9/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, disability, ADHD | Picture Book |
| Is It Sukkot Yet? | Chris Barash, ill. Alessandra Psacharopulo | 9/1/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, holidays, autumn | Picture Book |
| All Aboard for the Bobo Road | Stephen Davies, ill. Christopher Corr | 9/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Africa, transportation | Picture Book |
| Ollie Outside: Screen-Free Fun | Michael Oberschneider, ill. Guy Wolek | 9/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, screens, technology | Picture Book |
| Rainbow Weaver / Tejedora del Arcoiris | Linda Elovitz Marshall, ill. Elisa Chavarri | 9/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Latino, Guatemala, weaving | Picture Book |
| A Hanukkah with Mazel | Joel Edward Stein, ill. Elisa Vavouri | 9/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, holidays, Hanukkah | Picture Book |
| My Little Book of Bedtime Prayers | Anna Jones | 9/1/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, bedtime, prayers, Christianity | Picture Book |
| A Squiggly Story | Andrew Larsen, ill. Mike Lowery | 9/6/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, reading, storytelling | Picture Book |
| Dear Dragon | Josh Funk, ill. Rodolfo Montalvo | 9/6/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, epistolary, dragons, friendship, differences | Picture Book |
| Tinyville Town Gets to Work | Brian Biggs | 9/6/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, cities, community workers, engineering | Picture Book |
| Beautiful | Stacy McAnulty, ill. Joanne Lew-Vriethoff | 9/6/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, girls, self-esteem | Picture Book |
| Ada Twist, Scientist | Andrea Beaty, ill. David Roberts | 9/6/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, science, curiosity | Picture Book |
| 15 Things NOT To Do With a Grandma | Margaret McAllister, ill. Holly Sterling | 9/6/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, biracial, grandparents | Picture Book |
| Libby and Pearl: The Best of Friends | Lindsey Bonnice | 9/6/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, pigs, friendship, adoption | Picture Book |
| I Am a Story | Dan Yaccarino | 9/6/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, stories, history, books | Picture Book |
| Even Superheroes Have Bad Days | Shelly Becker, ill. Eda Kaban | 9/6/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, superheroes, emotions | Picture Book |
| Six Dots | Jen Bryant, ill. Boris Kulikov | 9/6/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, disability, blindness | Picture Book |
| I Am Not a Number | Jenny Kay Dupuis & Kathy Kacer, ill. Gillian Newland | 9/6/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, Native Americans, history | Picture Book |
| Hurry Up, Henry | Jennifer Lanthier, ill. Isabelle Malenfant | 9/6/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, time, birthdays | Picture Book |
| Yitzi and the Giant Menorah | Richard Ungar | 9/6/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Jewish, holidays, kindness | Picture Book |
| Come Over to My House | Dr. Seuss, ill. Katie Kath | 9/6/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, houses, international | Easy Reader |
| Where Do They Go? | Julia Alvarez, ill. Sabra Field | 9/6/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, death, poetry | Picture Book |
| Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf | Greg Wolfe, ill. Howard McWilliam | 9/6/16 | Ages 4-7 | Jewish, holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah | Picture Book |
| Hat On, Hat Off | Theo Heras, ill. Renne Benoit | 9/9/16 | Ages 2-4 | Diverse Main Character, babies, clothing | Picture Book |
| The Water Princess | Susan Verde, ill. Peter H. Reynolds | 9/13/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Africa, water, memoir | Picture Book |
| Pond | Jim LaMarche | 9/13/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, nature, history, friendship | Picture Book |
| A Family Is a Family Is a Family | Sara O’Leary, ill. Qin Leng | 9/13/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, families, differences | Picture Book |
| Home at Last | Vera B. Williams, ill. Chris Raschka | 9/13/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Same-sex parents, adoption, family | Picture Book |
| Book Uncle and Me | Uma Krishnaswami, ill. Julianna Swaney | 9/13/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, books, community activism | Chapter Book |
| Farmer Falgu Goes on a Trip | Chitra Soundar, ill. Kanika Nair | 9/13/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, India, folktale | Picture Book |
| Did You Ever See? | Joanna Walsh | 9/13/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, senses, concepts | Picture Book |
| Hank’s Big Day: The Story of a Bug | Evan Kuhlman, ill. Chuck Groenink | 9/13/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, insects, friendship | Picture Book |
| Cinderella (Once Upon a World) | Chloe Perkins, ill. Sandra Equihua | 9/13/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Latino, fairy tales | Picture Book |
| Snow White (Once Upon a World) | Chloe Perkins, ill. Misa Saburi | 9/13/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, Japan, fairy tales | Picture Book |
| Love Is a Truck | Amy Novesky, ill. Sara Gillingham | 9/13/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, trucks, transportation | Picture Book |
| Pablo Finds a Treasure | Andree Poulin, ill. Isabelle Malenfant | 9/13/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, Latino, homelessness, poverty, bullying | Picture Book |
| The Journey | Francesca Sanna | 9/13/16 | Ages 4-7 | Immigration, family, refugees | Picture Book |
| Beautiful | Stacy McAnulty, ill. Joanne Lew-Vriethoff | 9/13/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, girls, self-esteem | Picture Book |
| The Three Lucys | Hayan Charara, ill. Sara Kahn | 9/15/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, Muslim, war, cats, death | Picture Book |
| You Are Two | Sara O’Leary, ill. Karen Klassen | 9/15/16 | Ages 2-4 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, new baby, birthdays | Picture Book |
| Yellow Time | Lauren Stringer | 9/20/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, fall, colors, seasons | Picture Book |
| In Plain Sight | Richard Jackson, ill. Jerry Pinkney | 9/20/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, grandparents | Picture Book |
| What Is a Child? | Beatrice Alemagna | 9/20/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, self-esteem, individuality, childhood | Picture Book |
| Everything Is Awkward | Mike Bender & Doug Chernack | 9/20/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, funny, self-esteem, family | Picture Book |
| This Is Me: A Story of Who We Are and Where We Came From | Jamie Lee Curtis, ill. Laura Cornell | 9/20/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, identity, immigration | Picture Book |
| Daydreaming | Mart Tatulli | 9/27/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, toys, imagination | Picture Book |
| Lark Holds the Key | Natasha Deen, ill. Marcus Cutler | 9/29/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, twins, mystery, dyslexia | Chapter Book |
| The Barefoot Book of Children | Tessa Strickland & Kate DePalma, ill. David Dean | 10/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, international, differences | Picture Book |
| Up | Joe Cepeda | 10/1/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, autumn, weather | Easy Reader |
| Akilak’s Adventure | Deborah Webster, ill. Chalene Chua | 10/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Inuit, animals | Picture Book |
| Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Rules New York | Jacqueline Jules, ill. Miguel Benitez | 10/1/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, New York City, Latino, superheroes | Chapter Book |
| Calling the Water Drum | LaTisha Redding, Aaron Boyd | 10/1/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, immigration, family, refugees, Haiti | Picture Book |
| Kamik Joins the Pack | Darryl Baker, ill. Qin Leng | 10/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, dogs, Canada | Picture Book |
| A Bike Like Sergio’s | Maribeth Boelts, ill. Noah Z. Jones | 10/4/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, lower-income, honesty, truth | Picture Book |
| Fairy Felicity’s Moonlight Adventure | Alison Murray | 10/4/2016 | Ages 2-4 | Diverse Main Character, fairies, birthday party | Picture Book |
| The Worst Breakfast | China Mieville, ill. Zak Smith | 10/4/2016 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, funny, food | Picture Book |
| The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes | Duncan Tonatiuh | 10/4/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Mexico, folktales | Picture Book |
| Isabella: Girl in Charge | Jennifer Fosberry, ill. Mike Litwin | 10/4/16 | Ages 4-7 | strong girls, gender norms, history, politics, president, elections | Picture Book |
| Maggie McGillicuddy’s Eye for Trouble | Susan Hughes, ill. Brooke Kerrigan | 10/4/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, imagination, knitting | Picture Book |
| The Last Kappa of Old Japan | Sunny Seki | 10/4/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Japan, mythology, environment | Picture Book |
| Max Speed | Stephen Shaskan | 10/11/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, funny, superheroes, imagination | Picture Book |
| Sticker Girl | Janet Tashjian, ill. Wilmink | 10/11/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, Latino, shyness, stickers | Chapter Book |
| We Are Like the Clouds / Somos Como Las Nubes | Jorge Argueta, ill. Alfonso Ruano | 10/11/16 | Ages 7-9 | Latino, poetry, refugees, immigration | Picture Book |
| Lila and the Crow | Gabrielle Grimard | 10/11/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, bullying, self-esteem | Picture Book |
| Melena’s Jubilee | Zetta Elliott, ill. Aaron Boyd | 10/11/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, family | Picture Book |
| A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story About Knitting and Love | Michelle Edwards, ill. G. Brian Karas | 10/11/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, Jewish, knitting, friendship, empathy | Picture Book |
| Father’s Road | Ji-yun Jang, ill. Tan Jun | 10/15/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, China, history | Picture Book |
| Pirates in the Library | Nadia Ali, ill. Jake Tebbit | 10/15/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-ethnic Cast, libraries, pirates | Picture Book |
| Rudas: Nino’s Horrendous Hermanitas | Yuyi Morales | 10/18/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, siblings, sisters, Latino, Mexican wrestling | Picture Book |
| Andy & Sandy and the First Snow | Tomie dePaola & Jim Lewis | 10/18/16 | Ages 4-7 | Multi-Ethnic Cast, snow, winter | Easy Reader |
| Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey | Margriet Ruurs, ill. Nizar Badr | 10/18/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, refugees, family, immigration | Picture Book |
| Little Shaq: Star of the Week | Shaquille O’Neal, ill. Theodore Taylor III | 10/18/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, basketball, pets | Chapter Book |
| The Littlest Family’s Big Day | Emily Winfield Martin | 10/18/2016 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, biracial, bears, family, exploring | Picture Book |
| The Shady Tree | Demi | 10/25/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, China, fables, greed | Picture Book |
| Tomo Explores the World | Trevor Lai | 10/25/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, exploration, engineering, inventions | Picture Book |
| Lost and Found: Adele & Simon in China | Barbara McClintock | 10/25/16 | Ages 4-7 | China, seek and find, international history | Picture Book |
| Dinosaur Rap | John Foster, ill. Debbie Harter | 11/1/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, dinosaurs, readalouds, rhyming | Picture Book |
| The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito | Tomson Highway, ill. Sue Todd | 11/1/16 | Ages 4-6 | disability, self-esteem, theater | Picture Book |
| French Toast | Kari-Lynn Winters, ill. Francois Thisdale | 11/4/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, immigration, race, self-esteem | Picture Book |
| How Do You Say? Como Se Dice? | Angela Dominguez | 11/8/16 | Ages 3-6 | Bilingual, Spanish, giraffes | Picture Book |
| Adrift at Sea: A Vietnamese Boy’s Story of Survival | Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch with Tuan Ho, ill. Brian Deines | 11/11/16 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, immigration, family, refugees, Vietnam | Picture Book |
| How to Find a Fox | Nilah Magruder | 11/15/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, foxes, outdoors | Picture Book |
| Every Color | Erin Eitter Kono | 11/15/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, colors, travel | Picture Book |
| Nina the Neighborhood Ninja | Sonia Panigrahy, ill. Hazel Quintanilla | 11/22/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, African-American, empathy | Picture Book |
| Alkilak’s Adventure | Deborah Kigjugalik Webster, ill. Charlene Chua | 11/22/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Native people, bravery | Picture Book |
| I Love You Americanly | Lynn Parrish Sutton, ill. Melanie Hope Greenberg | 12/1/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, United States of America, geography | Picture Book |
| Popo’s Lucky Chinese New Year | Virginia Loh-Hagen, ill. Renne Benoit | 12/1/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Asian-American, holidays | Picture Book |
| Trouble Next Door | Karen English, ill. Laura Freeman | 12/6/2016 | Ages 7-9 | Diverse Main Character, moving, bullies, honesty | Chapter Book |
| What Do You Love About You? | Karen Lechelt | 12/6/16 | Ages 3-6 | Diverse Main Character, self-esteem, animals | Picture Book |
| Lotus and Feather | Ji-li Jiant, ill. Julie Downing | 12/13/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, Chinese, endangered animals, environment | Picture Book |
| Be Who You Are | Todd Parr | 12/20/16 | Ages 3-6 | Multi-ethnic Cast, self-esteem, bullying | Picture Book |
| Lucky Lazlo | Steve Light | 12/27/16 | Ages 4-7 | Diverse Main Character, theater, love | Picture Book |
Looking for more titles? I kept a similar list last year. Go here for all the 2015 titles I could find as well. And please help me fill in the gaps and let me know which books I’ve missed. As long as they have a 2016 publication date, aren’t too old, and aren’t nonfiction they’re fair game. Thanks!
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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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I love you Multiculturally. Thanks for including my book, Betsy!
What a treasure trove! Thank you.
Thank you for this information.
I’d like to have my middle grade books considered for this list: The Science
Project, The Ocean’s Way, Who Do Voodoo. The characters reflect the diversity of New York City.
Thank you.
Sure. I didn’t include middle grade if only because I don’t read as much of it. If any enterprising citizen wishes to create such a list (or a YA one for that matter) that would be fantastic.
Thank you Betsy for compiling this list. I’d like to use it as a resource for my picture book class this spring. And I’d actually love to compile a similar list for MG books but because I work less than half time at a bookstore, I’m afraid I might miss many titles that we just don’t carry in a shop of this size. But if you know of a librarian who would like to partner with me on that project, I’m all ears. I know the gang at The Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors blog would give the list a regular home.
Yep, it would be tricky. The most ideal person would work at a publisher or a large library system. It’s too late for me to do it for 2017 (I started getting books mid-2016) but maybe I should try for 2018. It certainly would find a home.
Wowsa, just what I was looking for! Thank you!
Thank you for this list. Mira Forecasts the Future (by me and illustrated by Lissy Marlin, Sterling Children’s, June 14, 2016) has a diverse main character. It’s for ages 4-7 and about weather and science.
Thank you!!
Terrific list with lots to read. Thank you.
Thanks for including us, Betsy. Great list and I’m sure it’s going to be a very useful resource for many.
I have published La Madre Goose in 2016 with Penguin, which is a retelling of European fairy tales with a Latino twist.
IN 2017 I have La Princesa and the Pea, also with Spanish and a new retelling, also from Penguin.
Juana Martinez Neal is the illustrator for both, and she has drawn and put her Peruvian roots intp the princess book.
Oh yes! It was on my 31 Lists, 31 Days series in the Poems & Nursery Rhymes category. Because libraries shelve them under a nonfiction Dewey number I hadn’t considered it for this list. Makes sense, though! And thanks for the 411 on La Princesa and the Pea. Will be looking out for that one.
I meant nursery rhymes, not fairy tales.
I’m not sure what the breaking point of early chapter books and chapter books, but I hope you’ll consider Twist and Shout from my Mermaid Tales chapter book series. I strive to make it a culturally diverse series. In this book, I wanted my mermaid Echo to be in a wheelchair. That was edited out and she is on ‘crutches’. http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Twist-and-Shout/Debbie-Dadey/Mermaid-Tales/9781481440783
Would you consider my ebook, currently available on amazon/kindle: White Bear’s Big Adventure?
Great list! Please consider “Lil’ G and The Dirty Faced Angels”, published in December 2016 with a main theme of Unity In Diversity! We call it a graphic novel, but it’s for young children (not middle schoolers, unless they are struggling readers). Please check it out. We’d love to be on your list! Same goals!
Great list – I don’t see many South Asian titles! See this post for some: https://kitaabworld.com/blogs/news/south-asian-kid-lit-in-2016-our-favorites
Great link! Thank you!
Would you perhaps consider my book in E-format through smashwords.com or paperback through amazon.com titled Body Of Music – a fiction story about a biracial girl from New York. Published July 20, 2015!?!
Unfortunately I could only consider 2016 titles. Sorry!
Every Sydney Taylor Award winner ought be be on this list. I think some were omitted, such as the inspiring Gold Medalist winner, I DISSENT!, the insightful Silver Medalist THE LIFE OF LEONARD NIMOY, and the poignant Notable THE TREE IN THE COURTYARD,
Those are all nonfiction. This list is just looking at fictional titles, so the NF got left off.