When the word diversity is mentioned, many different things come to different people's minds, including racial diversity, cultural diversity, language diversity, sexual diversity, religious diversity, etc. A true fact is that there are vast and amazing differences stretching from North America all the way to South Africa. Without this diversity, the world would probably be a pretty boring place.
Why it's Important to Teach Children About Diversity
As our world grows increasingly diverse, there has never been a better time for parents to teach their children how to live respectfully than now. Since young children form ideas about themselves and others long before they start kindergarten, it's imperative to start teaching diversity early.
If parents reinforce diversity lessons early, children can learn to appreciate, rather than fear differences. They can also learn to recognize stereotypes and biases when they see them. Furthermore, teaching children about diversity helps to promote empathy and reduces prejudice.
Books About Diversity
There are different ways you can teach your children to respect and value other people regardless of their skin color, language, religious background, financial standing, and physical abilities. Children's books are among the most effective tools to engage with young children about diversity and other important issues. The following are seven children's books that are great at teaching children about diversity:
1. The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
This is an engaging children's book that celebrates the different shades of skin color. The author has written it in a cute, entertaining, and innocent way to offer an unbiased view of multiple cultures. It's a thoughtfully-written book that helps children see that we are all both different and the same.
Karen Katz wrote this book for her adopted daughter, Lena, who she adopted from Guatemala six years before she published the book. The book is perfect for children between four and eight years.
Click here to buy The Colors of Us book from Amazon.
2. Everyone Matters by Pat Thomas
Written by an experienced counselor and therapist, Everyone Matters is a book that teaches children an important lesson that having respect means treating everyone fairly. It also expounds on the types of respect that each individual must earn for themselves, by being polite and respectful of others, as well as by keeping promises and being honest in what they do and say.
The book promotes positive interaction among kids, parents, and teachers. The author has written the book in a simple language so that children can understand easily. The book is written for children aged four to seven years.
Click here to buy Everyone Matters from Amazon.
3. We're Different, We're the Same by Bobbi Jane Kates
This is a Sesame Street picture book that celebrates diversity and encourages tolerance and kindness. This colorful and enchantingly illustrated children's book provides an easy and enjoyable way for children to learn about differences and what truly matters.
The book features Jim Henson's Sesame Street Muppets with people of all ethnicities, shapes, and sizes to show the ways in which all people are the same despite obvious physical differences. The book is an interesting read for 3-7-year olds.
Click here to buy We're Different, We're the Same from Amazon.
4. Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
If you have children aged four to seven, this children's book will be an ideal option to teach them about diversity. This essential book acknowledges in the simplest of terms our common humanity.
At a time when lessons tolerance needs to be taught not just to kids but to adults as well, Whoever You Are persuades us to recognize our similarities, accept our differences, and, most importantly, to rejoice in both. The book targets young readers aged four to seven.
Click here to buy Whoever You Love from Amazon.
5. It's Okay to be Different by Todd Parr
This is one of the children's books that parents should read out loud to their little ones to teach them about diversity. The book is not only fun to read for kids, but it also has positive messages of confidence and acceptance that foster understanding.
The book features simple images that bring out the concept of tolerance in an easy way for kids aged three to six years to understand. The drawings create a visual representation of what the book is talking about, capturing children's attention.
Click here to buy It's Okay to be Different from Amazon.
6. Say Hello! By Rachel Isadora
The book features the story of a girl named Carmelita, who loves greeting everyone in her neighborhood while walking her dog. Since people from many different cultures live in the neighborhood, Carmelita says hello in different languages, including English, Spanish, French, Japanese, and many others.
The book clearly emphasizes the rich diversity of America's neighborhoods. Reading this book will encourage your kids to celebrate diversity, so it is a must-have addition to any preschooler's bookshelf.
Click here to buy Say Hello from Amazon.
7. Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
Written by the Academy Award-winning actress, Lupita Nyong'o, Sulwe is a powerful, moving picture book about colorism and self-esteem. One of the important lessons in this book is that true beauty comes from within.
The book follows the story of Sulwe, a beautiful girl whose skin is darker than everyone in her family and school. Sulwe creates a fanciful and cheering story to inspire the young ones to see their own unique beauty differently. The book targets children aged four to eight years.
Click here to buy Sulwe from Amazon.
Final Thoughts
The above seven books are delightful children's books that are sure to weave in meaningful messages about diversity and the beauty of uniqueness and inclusion. The books are aimed specifically at preschool and early school-going kids. They teach children in kid-friendly language that differences in ability or physical appearance are not a reason to treat each other differently. What's more, is that all the books featured on this list are affordable. Get yourself a copy of either of these books and start teaching your children about diversity now when they are young.