The toddler years are such fun for reading! As little ones ask to read a particular book over and over, their view of the world is also being shaped. That’s why it’s so important that we introduce toddlers to diverse and inclusive books, especially those that are written by diverse authors. In this post, you’ll find 15 delightful #ownvoices books for toddlers.
What does #ownvoices mean? It means that a book not only stars characters who are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, or being LGBTQ. The book is also written by an author who shares the identity of those characters.
Who tells a story matters, and folks should get to tell their own stories.
13 diverse #ownvoices books for toddlers
Disclosure: For your convenience, this post includes affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I received a free copy of My Hair Is Like Yours from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
My Hair Is Like Yours by St. Clair Detrick-Jules. Illustrated by Tabitha Brown.
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Books with realistic photographs are invaluable for toddlers, especially when those photographs affirm their identities and family relationships. That’s exactly what Detrick-Jules’ newest hair-themed board book does.
Black children are pictured with a variety of hairstyles, from locs and braids to Afros and buns. Each child is photographed with the family member whose hair is like their own, with playful, rhyming text that will also reinforce the names of family relationships for toddlers. The last page is my favorite. Around a mirror they can peer into, young children hear that “no matter the style, I always remember that I am more than enough!)” (Recommended for ages 1 to 4. Black author.)
Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim and LeUyen Pham
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Toddlers love wondering about their bodies, and Asim’s playful book is perfect for that. I love that the brown skin of the toddler is both shown and named in celebratory ways in the book. Little ones will love playing “this little piggy” while reading the story.
Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park and Ho Baek Lee
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This fast-paced rhyming book will delight toddlers and preschoolers. A young child loves helping her mother through the many steps of making Korean bee-bim bop (which literally means “mix mix rice.”) Families who find their mouths watering during the book can use the recipe included at the end to make their own tasty dish of bee-bim bop.
Related Post: 11 children’s books about Korean culture and history
Loteria: first words/primeras palabras by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein
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Word books for toddlers are important because they’re rapidly building the vocabulary they need to label their worlds. This bilingual book teaches toddlers key words in both English and Spanish. The colorful illustrations are inspired by the popular Mexican game of loteria, which is similar to bingo.
Related Post: 15 diverse books for babies and toddlers
Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson
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I can’t decide whether I like the adorable photographs or the joyful rhymes of this book better. Families will want to cuddle their little ones close while they read this playful book together.
There’s a growing demand for books with LGBTQ families that just celebrate little one’s everyday life, and this book helps fill that gap.
Related Post: 15 LGBTQ affirming picture books for kids
Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
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I often see Red recommended as a book to talk to children about the experience of being transgender. I was interested to learn that Michael Hall was inspired to write the book because of his childhood experience with dyslexia.
Everyone calls the crayon star of this story “Red.” But whenever Red draws anything, it’s blue, not red. Everyone has opinions on what will help Red and why Red is the way he is. But when a berry colored crayon asks Red to draw something blue, everything starts to change. An essential book for helping toddlers embrace their unique selves.
Related Posts: 12 stereotype-busting children’s books starring characters with a disability
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk and Alexandria Neonakis
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Both the lyrical love song to sweet baby Kulu more and the gorgeous illustrations of this book make it truly special. Animals from the Arctic gather to give a newborn Inuit baby many gifts in a loving tribute. Elements of nature itself, such as the wind’s melodies, arrive with messages to guide Kulu throughout life.
Related Post: 20 #ownvoices books about Native Americans and First Nations peoples
Please, Puppy, Please by Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, and Kadir Nelson
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This playful book is a delightful followup to Please, Baby, Please. A brother/sister pair don’t know what to do to get their frisky puppy to behave. The challenge for adults will be to read to read this book to toddlers in a fashion as dramatic as the illustrations!
Related Post: 17 funny multicultural children’s books
Diez deditos: Ten little fingers and other play rhymes and action songs from Latin America by José-Luis Orozco and Elisa Kleven
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Finger plays and action songs make this bilingual book for toddlers so much fun, as well as a great way to build literacy skills. I especially recommend the book for toddler and preschool teachers to use during music and movement time.
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan and Mehrdokht Amini
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The simple rhyming text and stunning illustrations of this book introduce young children both to colors and to important symbols and objects in Islam. Children who are not Muslim will likely find ideas they can relate to, such as giving to those in need (zakat) and receiving special gifts on holidays.
Baby Goes to Market by Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank
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When a Nigerian mama takes baby to market, baby is very curious about all the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells. Because baby is so sweet, vendors keep giving baby all kinds of food to eat (without Mama knowing.) Baby stashes the extras in Mama’s basket, until finally she feels the weight of the bananas, coconuts, and more.
Related Post: Best children’s books and activities to learn about Nigeria
Holi Colors by Rina Singh
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This vibrant book for toddlers celebrates the Hindu festival of Holi while helping little ones learn their colors. The photographs of children playing with Holi’s rainbow of colors are messy and delightful.
Related Post: Best children’s books about India
Pretty Brown Face by Andrea and Brian Pinkney
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This sweet board book celebrates one of toddler’s favorite topics: themselves! As a child stares in the mirror, their father affirms their curly, soft hair, their pretty brown face, and more. Young readers will delight in the last page, which includes a mirror where they can look at their own faces.
They She He Me Free to Be! by Maya Christina Gonzalez and Matthew SG
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This simple book introduces kids to inclusive pronouns as a way to understand gender diversity. The book is mostly illustrations, showing kids that there are many ways that someone who uses the pronouns “he,” “she,” or “they” can look.
Related Post: Teaching Gender Diversity to Toddlers: 11 Fun Ideas
One response to “13 #ownvoices books for toddlers”
Thank you so much for the work that you are doing to bring understanding to this very challenging issue of race that continues to polarize this country due to lack of knowledge and awareness. It’s depth goes deep into our psyches, bodies and our history, however we still lack the skills to engage in meaningful and productive conversation toward genuine understanding.
I love your list of books on diversity and would like to ask if you would consider my book: “THE GIRL WITH THE GIGGLING HAIR” by Outskirts Press available on Amazon. About an African American girl, named Aubrey, who embraces who she is and the texture of her hair with such love, the hair is so happy to be a part of her, it giggles. Aubrey also can see what makes everyone she meets special and brings out the best in them as well.
Thank you so much for your consideration and continued success.
Sincerely,
Nan-Lynn Nelson