Updated January 2017
Multicultural Books for Kids Picture Books
African & African-American E CON Lila and the Secret of Rain, 2008 David Conway & Jude
Daly
This poignant story addresses the issue of drought. For months the sun has burned down on Lila's Kenyan village. When her grandfather whispers to her the secret of rain, she decides to talk to the sky herself.
E CUN For You are a Kenyan Child, 2006 Kelly Cunnane
From rooster crow to bedtime, a Kenyan boy plays and visits neighbors all through his village, even though he is supposed to be watching his grandfather's cows.
E DIA I Lost My Tooth in Africa, 2006 Penda Diakité
While visiting her father's family in Mali, a young girl loses a tooth, places it under a
calabash, and receives a hen and a rooster from the African Tooth Fairy.
E HER Always an Olivia, 2007 Carolivia Herron
Herron, a Jewish-American of African descent, tells the unique story of her family's
history.
E HOF Amazing Grace, 1991 Mary Hoffman
Although a classmate says that she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because
she is black, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to do.
E JOH A Sweet Smell of Roses, 2005 Angela Johnson
Minnie and her sister hear about a freedom march and leave their home to go to their
city's downtown area where they listen to Dr. Martin Luther King and join the march,
all the while smelling roses.
E MCD Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti, 1972
Gerald McDermott
Updated January 2017
In trying to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, Anansi the
Spider is responsible for placing the moon in the sky.
E MCD Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa, 1992
Gerald McDermott
Zomo the rabbit, a trickster from West Africa, wants wisdom. But he must accomplish
three apparently impossible tasks before Sky God will give him what he wants. Is he
clever enough to do as Sky God asks?
E PIN Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children, 2000
Sandra L. Pinkney
Photographs and poetic text celebrate the beauty and diversity of African American
children.
E RIN Tar Beach, 1991 Faith Ringgold
A young girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home, claiming all she sees for herself
and her family. Based on the author's quilt painting of the same name.
E ROB Under the Same Sun, 2014 Sharon Robinson
Auntie Sharon and Grandmother Bibi have come to visit the family in Tanzania--all the
way from America! But too soon, it's their last day together. And in a bittersweet
moment, at the ruins of an old slave port, Bibi's African-born grandchildren come to
learn what happened to their ancestors who went by slave ship to America.
E STE Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African
Tale, 1987
John Steptoe
Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before
the king, who is choosing a wife.
E WIL My Name is Sangoel, 2009 Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed
As a refugee from Sudan to the United States, Sangoel is frustrated that no one can
pronounce his name correctly until he finds a clever way to solve the problem.
Caldecott J CALD AAR Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears: A West
African Tale, 1975
Verna Aardema
Reveals the meaning of the mosquito's buzz.
Updated January 2017
J CALD HAL A Story, A Story; an African Tale, 1970 Gail E. Haley
Recounts how most African folk tales came to be called "Spider Stories."
J CALD HEA The Snowy Day, 1976 Ezra Jack Keats
No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better
than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of
millions, as it reveals a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and
keeping that wonder forever.
J CALD DE Last Stop on Market Street, 2015 Matt De La Pena
A young boy, CJ, rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to
appreciate the beauty in everyday things.
Holiday JHOL E JOH All Different Now: Juneteeenth, the first day of
freedom, 2014
Angela Johnson
In 1865, members of a family start their day as slaves, working in a Texas cotton
field, and end it celebrating their freedom on what came to be known as Juneteenth.
American Indian E ALE Thunder Boy Jr., 2016 Sherman Alexie
Thunder Boy Jr. wants a normal name, one that's all his own. Dad is known as Big
Thunder, but Little Thunder doesn't want to share a name.
E MIT Red Bird, 1996 Barbara Mitchell
Katie, also known as Red Bird, joins her family and other Indians at the annual
powwow in southern Delaware, where they celebrate their Nanticoke heritage with
music, dancing, and special foods.
E NAP The Crossing, 2011 Donna Jo Napoli
In 1805, Sacagawea, a woman of the Shoshoni tribe, helps Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark find a passage to the West Coast, in this story told through the eyes of
the baby boy on Sacagawea's back
E SMI Jingle Dancer, 2000 Cynthia Leitich Smith
Updated January 2017
Jenna, a Native American girl, gathers metal jingles to sew onto her dress so she can
make pleasant sounds when she dances in the next powwow.
E YOU Minnow and Rose: An Oregon Trail Story, 2009 Judy Young
Traveling west with her pioneer family in a wagon train, Rose meets Minnow, who
lives in a Native American village along the banks of a river.
Caldecott J CALD GOB The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses, 2001 Paul Goble
Though she is fond of her people, a girl prefers to live among the wild horses where
she is truly happy and free.
Asian & Asian-American E AVR What Will You Be, Sara Mee?, 2010 Kate Aver Avraham
At her Tol, the first birthday party, Sara Mee plays the traditional Korean prophecy
game--Toljabee--while her extended family and friends watch.
E CHE Shanghai Messenger, 2005 Andrea Cheng
A free-verse novel about eleven-year-old Xiao Mei's visit with her extended family in
China, where the Chinese-American girl finds many differences but also the similarities
that bind a family together.
E FLA The Story About Ping, 1961 Marjorie Flack
A little duck finds adventure on the Yangtze River when he is too late to board his
master's houseboat one evening.
E LEE A Place Where Sunflowers Grow. 2006 Amy Lee-Tai
While she and her family are interned at Topaz Relocation Center during World War II,
Mari gradually adjusts as she enrolls in an art class, makes a friend, plants sunflowers
and waits for them to grow.
Updated January 2017
E LOO Uncle Peter’s Amazing Chinese Wedding, 2006 Lenore Look
A Chinese American girl describes the festivities surrounding her uncle's
Chinese wedding and the customs behind each one.
E MCD Goyangi means Cat, 2011 Christine McDonell
An understanding cat helps a young Korean girl adjust to her new home in America.
E MES Take Me Out to the Yakyu, 2013 Aaron Meshon
A little boy's grandfathers, one in America and one in Japan, teach him about baseball
and its rich, varying cultural traditions.
E OEL Made in China, 2008 Vanita Oelschlager
Made in China tells the story of a girl adopted into an American family and the
problems she encounters with her older sister. With help from her father, the adopted
sister learns the value of her Chinese beginnings. Later the girls accept their
differences and embrace the joy that comes from a loving family.
E SAY Tea with Milk, 1999 Allen Say
After growing up near San Francisco, a young Japanese woman returns with her
parents to their native Japan, but she feels foreign and out of place. (We have lots
more of Allen Say’s books).
E THO Round is a Mooncake Roseanne Thong
As a little girl discovers things round, square and rectangular in her urban
neighborhood, she is reminded of her Chinese American culture.
E TRA The Little Weaver of Thai-Yen Village, 1987 Khanh Tuyet Tran
A young Vietnamese girl maintains her own cultural identity while struggling to adjust
to the United States.
E YOL The Seeing Stick, 2001 Janet Yolen
Hwei Min, the only daughter of the emperor of China, has been blind since birth. It
seems that no one from magicians to physicians can help her. Then, one day a wise
old man with a mysterious seeing stick visits the princess. Will he be able to teach
Hwei Min that there is more than one way to see the world?
E YUM The Twins’ Blanket, 2011 Hyewon Yum
Two twin girls, who have always shared everything, sleep in separate beds with their
own blankets for the first time.
Updated January 2017
Caldecott J CALD SAY Grandfather’s Journey, 1993 Allen Say
A Japanese American man recounts his grandfather's journey to America which he
later also undertakes, and the feelings of being torn by a love for two different
countries. (We have lots more of Allen Say’s books).
Holiday JHOL E COM The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale,
2011 Ying Chang Compestine
On Chinese New Year's Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in
Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but
instead he brings home a magic wok that changes their fortunes forever.
JHOL E JUL Duck for Turkey Day, 2009 Jacqueline Jules
When Tuyet finds out that her Vietnamese family is having duck rather than turkey for
Thanksgiving dinner, she is upset until she finds out that other children in her class
did not eat turkey either.
JHOL E LIN Thanking the Moon, 2010 Grace Lin
Each member of a Chinese family contributes to the celebration of the Mid-Autumn
Moon Festival. Includes author's note explaining this festival's customs and traditions.
Princess E NOY Red Butterfly: How a Princess Smuggled the
Secret of Silk Out of China, 2007 Deborah Noyes
In long-ago China, as a young princess prepares to leave her parents' kingdom to
travel to far-off Khotan where she is to marry the king, she decides to surreptitiously
take with her a precious reminder of home.
Hispanic & Latino E ADA I love Saturdays y Domingos Alma Flor Ada
Updated January 2017
A young girl enjoys the similarities and the differences between her English-speaking
and Spanish-speaking grandparents
E ADA Three Golden Oranges. 1999 Alma Flor Ada
Master storyteller Alma Flor Ada offers a poetic and magical retelling of a well-loved
traditional story about Blancaflor, a mythical young woman who appears in various
stories throughout the Hispanic world.
E ARE Marta! Big & Small, 2016 Jen Arena
In this story that incorporates Spanish words, Marta explores the world of opposites
and animals.
E BRO Chavela and the Magic Bubble, 2010 Monica Brown
When Chavela blows a bubble with a strange new gum, she floats away to Mexico,
where her great-grandfather once worked harvesting the tree sap that makes gum
chewy.
E CAS Abuela’s Weave, 1993 Omar S. Castaneda
A young Guatemalan girl and her grandmother grow closer as they weave some
special creations and then make a trip to the market in hopes of selling them.
E DOR Abuela, 1991 Arthur Dorros
Readers are invited to join Rosalb and her grandmother on a magical journey, as they
fly over the streets, sights, and people of Manhattan. The story is narrated in English
and sprinkled with Spanish phrases.
E IYE Romina’s Rangoli Malathi Michelle Iyengar
When her teacher asks each student to bring in something reflecting his or her
heritage to display at an open house, Romina struggles over how to represent both
her father's Indian culture and her mother's Mexican one.
E MED Mango, Abuela, and me, 2015 Meg Medina
Mia's abuela has left her sunny house with parrots and palm trees to live with Mia and
her parents in the city. The night she arrives, Mia tries to share her favorite book with
Abuela before they go to sleep and discovers that Abuela can't read the words inside.
So while they cook, Mia helps Abuela learn English ("Dough. Masa"), and Mia learns
some Spanish too, but it's still hard for Abuela to learn the words she needs to tell Mia
all her stories. Then Mia sees a parrot in the pet-shop window and has the perfecto
idea for how to help them all communicate a little better. An endearing tale from an
award-winning duo that speaks loud and clear about learning new things and the love
that bonds family members.
E MOR Tomás and the Library Lady Pat Mora
While helping his family in their work as migrant laborers far from their home, Tomás
finds an entire world to explore in the books at the local public library.
Updated January 2017
E MOR Niño Wrestles the World, 2016 Yuyi Morales
Lucha Libre champion Niño has no trouble fending off monstrous opponents, but when
his little sisters awaken from their naps, he is in for a no-holds-barred wrestling match
that will truly test his skills.
E SOT Too Many Tamales, 1993 Gary Soto
Maria tries on her mother's wedding ring while helping make tamales for a Christmas
family get-together. Panic ensues when hours later, she realizes the ring is missing.
E TON Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s
Tale, 2013
Duncan Tonatiuh
When Papa Rabbit does not return home as expected from many seasons of working
in the great carrot and lettuce fields of El Norte, his son Pancho sets out on a
dangerous trek to find him, guided by a coyote. Includes author's note.
E VAM The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred,
2011
Samantha R. Vamos
This is the story of how the farm maiden and all the farm animals worked together to
make the rice pudding that they serve at the fiesta.
E VEL Looking for Bongo, 2016 Eric Velasquez
When a boy's abuela accuses him of being careless with his beloved Bongo, he devises
a trap and catches the toy thief red-handed.
Spanish Easy JSPA E BRA My Tata’s Guitar, 2003 Ethriam Cash
Brammer
While sharing stories of their Mexican-American family's past, a father gives his young
son the guitar he received from his own father.
JSPA E CUM Quinito’s Neighborhood = El Vecindario de Quinito, 2004
Ina Cumpiano
A bilingual book that features a young Latino boy, Quinito, describing the jobs done by
members of his immediate and extended family as well as others in his neighborhood.
(See also Quinito, Day and Night JSPA E CUM).
Updated January 2017
JSPA E HER Grandma and Me at the Flea = Los Meros Meros
Remateros, 2002
Juan Felipe Herrera
Juanito accompanies his grandmother to a flea market in southern California, where
he helps her and the other vendors and where they enjoy seeing old friends from their
Mexican-American community.
JSPA E MOR Viva Frida!, 2014 Yuyi Morales
Biography of the life of the painter Frida Kahlo.
Holiday JHOL E KEE Clatter, Bash!: A Day of the Dead Celebration,
2004 Richard Cleminson Keep
Rhyming text presents traditions used to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
Indian Subcontinent ECOH Namaste!, 2009 Diana Cohn
Whenever Nima meets someone on her long walk to the market village in Nepal, she
brings her hands together with her fingers almost touching her chin, bows her head
slightly, and says "Namaste," which means "the light in me meets the light in you."
Includes information on the geography, culture, and people of Nepal.
E HEI Chandra’s Magic Light, 2014 Theresa Heine
A heartwarming story set in Nepal of two resourceful sisters who bring the safety of
solar-powered light to their family.
E IYE Romina’s Rangoli, 2007 Malathi Michelle Iyengar
When her teacher asks each student to bring in something reflecting his or her
heritage to display at an open house, Romina struggles over how to represent both
her father's Indian culture and her mother's Mexican one.
E KOS Same, Same but Different, 2011 Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Pen pals Elliott and Kailash discover that even though they live in different countries--
America and India--they both love to climb trees, own pets, and ride school buses.
E PAT Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth, 2012 Sanjay Patel
Updated January 2017
An original story based on Hindu mythology, this book tells the story about how
Ganesha's love of sweets led to a broken tusk and the writing of the epic poem, the
Maha ̄bha ̄rata. Includes author's note about the myth.
E STR Kami and the Yaks, 2007 Andrea Stenn Stryer
When his family's yaks go missing, Kami, a young deaf Sherpa boy, sets off into the
Himalaya Mountains alone to find them.
E YOU I, Doko: the Tale of a Basket, 2004 Ed Young
A Nepalese basket tells the story of its use through three generations of a family.
E ZIA Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji, 2011 F. Zia
Aneel and his grandfather, Dada-ji, tell stories, use their imaginations, and make
delicious roti, a traditional Indian flatbread.
Inuit & Yupik E BAN Kumak’s Fish, 2004 Michael Bania
On a beautiful Arctic morning when Kumak and his family go ice fishing, Kumak
hooks what seems like an enormous fish, and the entire village gets involved.
E GEO Nutik, the Wolf Pup, 2001 Jean Craighead George
When his older sister Julie brings home two small wolf pups, Amaroq takes care of
the one called Nutik and grows to love it, even though Julie tells him it cannot stay.
(Sequel Nutik & Amaroq Play Ball)
E GEO Snow Bear, 1999 Jean Craighead
George
Bessie and a polar bear cub named Snow Bear play on the ice, while her older
brother and the mother bear watch to make sure that everyone is safe.
E JOO Mama, Do You Love Me?, 1991 Barbara M. Joosse
A child living in the Arctic learns that a mother's love is unconditional.
Updated January 2017
E SCO On Mother’s Lap, 1992 Ann Herbert Scott
A small Inuit boy discovers that Mother's lap is a very special place with room for
everyone.
E SMI Arctic White, 2016 Danna Smith
A young girl looks around her home in the arctic and sees only white, white, white.
But one day her grandfather takes her out on a journey across the tundra. And at
the end of their cold walk, the dark opens up to show the Northern Lights dancing
across the sky--blue, green, and purple.
Islam E ADD Time to Pray, 2010 Maha Addasi
When young Yasmin goes for a visit, her grandmother teaches her a Muslim's daily
prayers, makes special prayer clothes, and gives a gift that will help Yasmin remember
when to pray. Includes facts about prayer customs.
E CUN Deep in the Sahara, 2013 Kelly Cunnane
An Arab girl of the Sahara who wants to wear a malafa, the veiled dress worn by her
mother and older sister, learns that the garment represents beauty, mystery,
tradition, belonging, and faith.
E KHA Golden Domes & Silver Lanterns: a Muslim Book of Colors, 2012
Hena Khan
In simple rhyming text a young Muslim girl and her family guide the reader through
the traditions and colors of Islam.
Holiday JHOL E BUl Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, 2012 Lisa Bullard
For Muslims, Ramadan is a time for fasting, prayer, and thinking of others. Rashad
tries to be good all month. When it's time for Eid al-Fitr, he feasts and plays! Find out
how people celebrate this special time of year.
JHOL E GIL Nabeel’s New Pants: an Eid tale, 2010 Fawzia Gilani-Williams
While buying gifts for his family to wear to the mosque on Eid a shoemaker is
persuaded to get new pants for himself, but the only pair available is too long and no
one seems to have time to shorten them.
JHOL E JAL Moon Watchers: Shirin’s Ramadan Miracle, Reza Jalali
Updated January 2017
2010
Nine-year-old Shirin wants to join her family and other Muslims in fasting for Ramadan
but is told she is too young, and so she seeks other ways to participate including,
perhaps, getting along better with her older brother, Ali.
JHOL E MOB A Party in Ramadan, 2009 Asma Mobin-Uddin
Ramadan is coming and Leena is excited. Although she is too young to fast each day
during the Muslim holy month, she decides to fast on a Friday that her aunt will be
visiting. Now Leena has a dilemma. She receives an invitation to a party which
happens to fall on that same Friday. Leena doesn't want to miss the party, but she
doesn't want to miss fasting either. So Leena decides to go to the party, but not eat or
drink Later, she will join her family for the meal known as iftar, when the daily fast is
broken. But when Leena, who is the only Muslim at the party, sees her friends
enjoying fresh lemonade and chocolate cake, her stomach starts to growl and her
head begins to hurt. Will she keep her Ramadan fast?
JHOL E WHI Under the Ramadan Moon, 2008 Sylvia Whitman
Ramadan is one of the most special months of the Islamic year, when Muslims pray,
fast, and help those in need. Whitman's lyrical story, with luminous illustrations by
Sue Williams, serves as an ideal introduction to Ramadan.
Jewish E AYL My Grandfather’s Coat, 2014 Jim Aylesworth
A tailor's very old overcoat is recycled numerous times over the years into a variety of
garments and other uses.
E HER Always an Olivia, 2007 Carolivia Herron
Herron, a Jewish-American of African descent, tells the unique story of her family's
history.
E KIM A Cloak for the Moon, 2001 Eric A. Kimmel
A retelling of one of Rabbi Nachman's tales in which a tailor, dreaming that the moon
is cold in the sky, goes in search of a special fabric with which to make it a cloak.
E POL The Blessing Cup, 2013 Patricia Polacco
A single china cup from a tea set left behind when Jews were forced to leave Russia
helps hold a family together through generations of living in America, reminding them
of the most important things in life.
E POL The Keeping Quilt, 1998 Patricia Polacco
Updated January 2017
A homemade quilt ties together the lives of four generations of an immigrant Jewish
family, remaining a symbol of their enduring love and faith.
E WAL Clever Rachel, 2009
In this retelling of a Jewish folktale, Jacob tries to stump Rachel with his best riddles
but fails repeatedly. When a young woman in need of help presents Rachel and Jacob
with the trickiest riddles of all, they discover the only way to solve them is to work
together.
Caldecott J CALD WIS Golem David Wisniewski
A saintly rabbi miraculously brings to life a clay giant who helps him watch over the
Jews of sixteenth-century Prague.
Holiday JHOL E BAR Is it Passover yet?, 2015 Chris Barash
One family prepares for the traditional seder that ushers in Passover.
JHOL E KIM Even Higher!: A Rosh Hashanah Story, 2009 Eric A. Kimmel
A skeptical visitor to the village of Nemirov finds out where its rabbi really goes just
before the Jewish New Year, when the villagers claim he goes to heaven to speak to
God.
JHOL E KIM Simon and the Bear: a Hanukkah tale, 2014 Eric A. Kimmel
Stranded on an iceberg on his way to America, Simon remembers his mother's parting
words and lights the first candle on his menorah while praying for a miracle, which
soon arrives in the form of a friendly polar bear.
JHOL E ROS Happy Birthday, Tree!: A Tu B’Shevat Story, 2012
Madelyn Rosenberg
Joni and Nate figure out how to celebrate a tree's birthday for Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish
"New Year for trees".
JHOL E SIM Oskar and the Eight Blessings, 2015 Richard Simon
Updated January 2017
A young Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany arrives in New York City on the seventh
night of Hanukkah and receives small acts of kindness while exploring the city.
J HOL E SIN The Parakeet Named Dreidel, 2015 Isaac Bashevis
On the eighth night of Hanukkah, a family rescues a Yiddish-speaking, dreidel-playing
parakeet.
JHOLE STR The Elijah Door: A Passover Tale, 2011 Linda Leopold
Strauss
For years the Galinskys and the Lippas have shared Seder, the special Passover
dinner, together. But no more! Mama Lippa shuts her windows tight against Galinsky
voices. Papa Galinsky cuts a new side door into the house to avoid seeing the Lippas.
But David Lippa and Rachel Galinsky love each other, and fortunately, they have a
trick up their sleeves. This charming folktale, stunningly illustrated with hand-painted
woodcuts, celebrates the joys of love, freedom, and family.
JHOL E YOL How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah?, 2012 Janet Yolen
Illustrations and rhyming text present some of the different ways a well-behaved
dinosaur can celebrate the eight days and nights of Chanukah.
Middle Eastern E RUM Silent Music: A story of Baghdad, 2008 James Rumford
As bombs and missiles fall on Baghdad in 2003, a young boy uses the art of
calligraphy to distance himself from the horror of war.
E WEU Nasreddine, 2013 Odile Weulersse
As Nasreddine and his father take dates, wool, chickens, or watermelon to market,
people tease them no matter who is riding their donkey, and this causes Nasreddine
embarrassment until his father helps him to understand.
Subjects
E WIL Four Feet, Two Sandals, 2007 Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra
Mohammed
Two young Afghani girls living in a refugee camp in Pakistan share a precious pair of
sandals brought by relief workers. Includes author's note about refugees.
E YOU What About Me? Ed Young
Updated January 2017
A young boy determinedly follows the instructions of the Grand Master in the hope of
gaining knowledge, only to be surprised as how he acquires it. Based on a Sufi tale.
Multiracial & Many Cultures E ALK I’m Your Peanut Butter Big Brother, 2009 Selina Alko
A child in an interracial family wonders what his yet-to-be-born sibling will look like.
E KER One World, One Day, 2009 Barbara Kerley
One World, One Day uses exquisite, moving photographs and Barbara Kerley’s poetic
text to convey a simple yet profound concept: we are one global family. This is a
sophisticated concept book, presented as an elegant picture book with contributions
from top international photographers.
E TUT God’s Dream, 2008 Desmond Tutu
An introduction for the youngest readers to Archbishop Tutu's message of forgiveness
and empathy.
Holiday JHOL E PIE Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas, 2007 Gail Piernas-
Davenport
When Shanté is sent to find black-eyed peas for her family's New Year's celebration,
she learns about each of her neighbor's New Year's traditions in their home countries.