Teaching diversity to our kids can never start too early.
These books will help you approach the subject in a
non-threatening and fun way.
0 - 3 YEARS
Hello!
by Usborne
This striking board book for babies is about the joy of saying hello in all kinds of ways – to friends and family and soft, fluffy toys. This is the perfect way to fascinate and stimulate developing minds, with high-contrast illustrations and sturdy holes to peep-through.
0 - 6 YEARS
ABC of Kindness
by Patricia Hegarty
This cute board book has a cast of animal characters and gentle rhyming text, showing us all the ways in which we can be kind to one another – from A to Z!
Antiracist Baby
by Ibram Kendi
Take your first steps with Antiracist Baby! Or, rather, follow Antiracist Baby's nine easy steps for building a more equitable world. With bold illustrations and thoughtful, yet playful, text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society.
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3 - 6 YEARS
My Peppa Adventure
by Peppa Pig
Choose exciting adventures for Peppa and her friends! Imagine you could choose any story for Peppa! What would she do? Who would she meet? What would she wear? There's everything in Peppa's world here, so readers can pick different things for Peppa on every page. This is a brilliant book that children will return to again and again – there's a new story with every read!
Our Skin
by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way. Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp and adults can leverage for further discussion.
6 - 9 YEARS
How Many Ways can you Say Hello?
by Refiloe Moahloli
Sara’s first day of school is full of surprises, but the biggest one of all is that she discovers she doesn’t understand what the other children are saying and she wonders how she will make friends. Her teacher encourages her to find out the many ways one can say hello. This delightful story of rhyming verse, accompanied by charming illustrations, is a must for all young South African children. And if parents/grandparents/carers aren’t sure how to pronounce ‘hello’ in all 11 official languages, there is a CD of the text, narrated by the author herself, to guide with authentic pronunciation.
ALSO AVAILABLE How Many Ways can you Say Goodbye? by Refiloe Moahloli
9 - 12 YEARS
The Elephant Girl
by James Patterson
Jama is a clever and sensitive young Maasai girl who likes elephants better than people. She decides to escape the classroom gossip about the new boy, Leku, by going to the watering hole outside her village. There, she befriends a baby elephant that she names Mbegu. When Mbegu's mother, frightened by poachers, stampedes, Jama and Mbegu are blamed for two deaths – one elephant and one human. Now Leku, whose mysterious and imposing father is the head ranger at the conservancy, may be their only lifeline. A beautiful, heart-pounding story of a girl, an elephant, and their life-changing friendship.
A Glasshouse of Stars
by Shirley Marr
Meixing Lim and her family have arrived in the New Land to begin a New Life. Everything is scary and different. Their ever-changing house is confusing and she finds it hard to understand the other children at school. Yet in her magical glasshouse, with a strange black and white cat, Meixing finds a place to dream. But then Meixing's life comes crashing down in unimaginable ways. Only her two new and unexpected friends can help. By being brave together, they will learn how to make the stars shine brighter. A Glasshouse of Stars is based on the author's childhood and beautifully illustrates the importance of friendship, kindness and love.
Q&A about Racism: Lift the Flap Questions
by Usborne
From 'What's wrong with the idea of 'race'? and 'Why is life harder for people with darker skin?' to 'Don't ALL lives matter?' and 'What's racism got to do with me?' this book tackles powerful, pertinent questions in a direct, accessible and thought-provoking way. Discover why racism is everyone's problem to solve, and how we can all be part of the solution.
A Different Sort of Normal
by Abigail Balfe
Hi! My name is Abigail, and I'm autistic. But I didn't know I was autistic until I was an adult-sort-of-person*. This is my true story of growing up in the confusing 'normal' world, all the while missing some Very Important Information about myself. There'll be scary moments involving toilets and crowded trains, heart-warming tales of cats and pianos, and funny memories including my dad and a mysterious tub of ice cream. Along the way you'll also find some Very Crucial Information about autism. If you've ever felt different, out of place, like you don't fit in ... this book is for you.
*I've never really felt like an actual-adult-person, as you'll soon discover in this book ...
YOUNG ADULT
Time of the Swallows
by Dianne Stewart
In this Coming-of-Age novel set over the course of one summer in KwaZulu Natal, Anele discovers that life is full of challenges and together with her family learns to adjust to unforeseen circumstances. Like the swallows’ seasonal visitation, Anele realises that time on earth is short. Little did she know how short it could be.
CLICK HERE to read the first chapter
The Sun is Also A Star
by Nicola Yoon
Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.
Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store – for both of us.
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?
Sugar Town Queens
by Malla Nunn
When Amandla wakes up on her fifteenth birthday, she knows it’s going to be one of her mother’s difficult days. Her mother has had another vision. This one involves Amandla wearing a bedsheet loosely stitched as a dress. An outfit, her mother says, is certain to bring Amandla’s father back home, as if he were the prince and this was the fairytale ending their family was destined for. But in truth, Amandla’s father has long been gone – since before Amandla was born – and even her mother’s memory of him is hazy. In fact, many of her mother’s memories from before Amandla was born are hazy. It’s just one of the many reasons people in Sugar Town give them strange looks – that and the fact her mother is white and Amandla is black. A stunning portrait of a family divided and a powerful story of how friendship saves and heals.
ALSO AVAILABLE When the Ground Is Hard by Malla Nunn
This Place is Still Beautiful
by XiXi Tian
Annalie and Margaret are sisters who agree on only one thing: that they have nothing in common. Annalie is seventeen: sweet, content, and looking forward to a summer of flirting with the most popular boy in school. Margaret is nineteen: ambitious, a warrior for social justice, and desperate to forget her ex-boyfriend in New York City. When their family is the victim of a racial attack, Annalie tries to pretend it never happened – but Margaret wants to fight back. Suddenly their relationship – and all the ones around them – are hanging by a thread. And then a crushing secret threatens to tear them apart forever ... A beautiful and powerful story about family, identity and the secrets we keep.
Ace of Spades
by Faridah Abike-Iyimide
Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now. Because anonymous texter, Aces, is revealing the darkest secrets of two students. Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can't escape the spotlight when his private photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn't afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power. Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they're planning much more than a high-school game ...
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Go wild with six new African-themed books for kids