This resource list is a labor of love that includes publisher's descriptions along with links for more information. Publishing dates may change for a variety of reasons. These books were submitted to us by publishers, authors, and the Helping Kids Rise community.
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Related Reading: Check out our previous lists here: Gigantic List of Diverse Books Published
From the author of Not Quite Snow White comes a story about a young Muslim boy celebrating the many reasons he loves going to his local masjid in this jubilant and playful picture book perfect for fans of Mommy's Khimar and Abdul's Story.
Friday is Kamal's favorite day of the week because he gets to go to the masjid for Jumu'ah prayer. The masjid is where he can be with his friends, hear the teachings of the imam, and pray with the community that he loves so dearly. He just can't help the bounce in his step, the smile on his face, or the joy bubbling up in his chest every time Friday rolls around!
Inspired by the famous nursery rhyme "This Is the House That Jack Built," each spread in this buoyant picture book builds on the rhythmic list of things Kamal loves about the masjid.
In her grandmother's garden, a young Black girl learns about mindfulness and herbal medicine in this soothing intergenerational story about our connection to nature.
It's Joy's first summer in her grandmother's South Carolina garden--a rite of passage. In the midst of okra, spinach, and strawberries, Grammy teaches Joy that plants are friends with many uses. Herbs, for example, can be turned into medicine.
There in Grammy's abundant backyard, Joy learns to listen for the heartbeat of the earth and connect it to her own as she takes deep breaths and puts her intentions into the soil. By the story's end, she learns to grow seeds in her own garden, honoring all that her grandmother taught her. With sensory-rich illustrations from award-winning illustrator Ashleigh Corrin, Joy Takes Root is a blissful reminder of all that might bloom.
A young child learns that even superheroes hurt too in this heartrending story about loss and love, written by debut author Kevin Johnson and illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Kitt Thomas. When a child loses the person in his life that he loves more than anything, he uses his cape as protection from his grief. On the day of the funeral, he uses it to block out the pictures and stories people share, refusing to acknowledge the memories that keep bubbling up. He won't think about them. He doesn't want to.
He avoids the memories, until he no longer can.
He remembers then. Their laugh, their smile, the moment they gave him the cape. The cape transforms, becoming a source of comfort and strength as the child navigates the sadness and joy that these memories bring up.
In Cape, Kevin Johnson has crafted an achingly beautiful and honest story about processing and redefining grief after the loss of a loved one. With evocative illustrations by New York Times bestselling artist Kitt Thomas (Stacey's Extraordinary Words), Cape is a powerful, unforgettable, and necessary story.
From two Coretta Scott King Honor winners comes this uplifting picture book biography about Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is making history as the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.
Ketanji Brown Jackson is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. When a high school guidance counselor told her she should set her sights lower than Harvard, she decided to go to Harvard for college and law school.
When she became a public defender and saw inequalities in the justice system, she used her legal skills to advocate for people who needed help, but couldn't afford an attorney.
Ketanji's path to the Supreme Court was unique: She's the only current Justice to have been a public defender and one of a few who went to public school. Her story is powerful and heartening, and it's a lesson in overcoming adversity by being true to yourself.
Margaret A. Edwards Award winner, Printz Honor winner, and National Book Award finalist Kekla Magoon and Coretta Scott King honoree Laura Freeman reunite to present a generation of readers with a new inspirational figure.
A young girl with vitiligo celebrates her skin in this joyful picture book by debut author Lid'ya C. Rivera and illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Niña Mata!
This lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and loving the skin you're in will inspire all children to appreciate their spots or what makes them different. Perfect for pairing with I Am Enough by Grace Byers, Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller, and I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes. Includes a personal letter from the author and facts about vitiligo.
From the critically acclaimed author of Your Name Is a Song and the bestselling illustrator of The Proudest Blue comes a story about a Muslim boy who receives a salat (prayer) rug on his seventh birthday and becomes empowered about his faith.
In this beautiful story of community, family, and acceptance, a boy named Muhammad receives a special salat rug on his seventh birthday. Seven is the age when Muslim children are encouraged to pray, and Muhammad is determined to do all five daily prayers on time. But one salat occurs during the school day--and he's worried about being seen praying at school. His father parks his truck to worship in public places, and people stare at and mock him. Will the same thing happen to Muhammad?
In the end, with help from his teacher, he finds the perfect place to pray. Salat in Secret, by two highly acclaimed Muslim creators, is a poignant and empowering look at an important facet of Islam that many observant children cherish but might be scared to share.
A potty party's coming through! Celebrate the milestone of potty training with this energetic board book that features a diverse group of children as they ditch their diapers and flush like big kids do.
Going potty can be a party for everyone! Perfect for all children, this book touches on the aspects of potty training, including feeling the need to go, sitting and waiting, and picking out underwear. Get down and celebrate at toilet time with this fun and imaginative board book.
All aboard! Rooted in the tradition of an African American spiritual, this mesmerizing picture book takes readers on a cosmic journey to heaven, celebrating the diversity of life at every stop along the way.
The vivid illustrations and snappy text in This Train Is Bound for Glory bring the Glory Train to life as it welcomes singing passengers. The excitement is palpable as the train clicks and clacks through scenic deserts, over lush mountains, and across sparkling bridges. Under the guidance of the watchful Conductor, the heaven-bound train bops and bounces from Earth to the stars until it reaches the pearly gates, where passengers dance with thrilling joy.
This train is bound for Glory--this train!
This train is bound for Glory--this train!
This train is bound for Glory.
Everybody here is a-rocking and a-rolling.
This train is bound for Glory--this train!
The history of "This Train is Bound for Glory" dates back to 1922 as a popular recording. The lyrics have evolved across the ages. At the end of the book, readers are invited to write their own version of the song in a spirit of hope, joy, and love for a new generation. The world needs more light. Sing on!
A quiet girl overwhelmed by her rambunctious family finds a magical land of solitude only to discover what truly makes a home a home in this lively and magical bilingual picture book that reimagines the beloved Caribbean folktale "La Cucaracha Martina."
Martina does not like parties. Parties are full of tías with their flashy fashions and boom-and-bellow laughter that's too much for quiet Martina. At least with all that noise, no one notices when she slips away. She finds herself in a magical place: a warm, familiar island where she can finally play in peace and quiet. Martina is home at last--or is she?
This ferociously fun read-aloud--perfect for bedtime or anytime--begins with a can't-settle-down boy who spends his naptime with wild animals that have leapt off the pages of his favorite book, and ends with a sleepy boy all played out!
Sam is not ready for naptime. Momma says he has ants in his pants and that he must calm down, but Sam says "NOOOOOO!" and flies off to his bedroom. He flips open his favorite book--African Wildlife--and out jumps a herd of gazelles...followed by a pride of lions...and then a zeal of zebras. And that's just the beginning! How can Sam ever be expected to take a nap?!
Amidst all the jumping and stalking and striding and prowling comes a sound louder than any other-- GRROOWWL! It's Sam's tummy, and it scares those ants right out of his pants. It must be time for a snack. But after such a wild day, how can Sam ever be expected to stay awake?!
An inspiring picture book from Scripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde, filled with her favorite motivational words from Z to A. Perfect for your little book lover and spelling ace!
When 14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021, the world took notice.
Now, this extraordinary speller, writer, and basketball champ celebrates the world of words, with 26 of Zaila's favorite words, such as KINDNESS, HOPE, and RESILIENCE, alongside Zaila's encouraging and poetic thoughts.
Each bright and busy page also includes an inspiring quotation from a famous thought leader. And an afterword to the book details the fascinating origins of each word.
It's an uplifting picture book packed with motivation, learning, and fun, from one of America's most promising, unique, and accomplished young people.
A beautifully moving picture book that reminds us that wherever we move--across the sea or across the neighborhood--we can always keep growing . . . just like wildflowers.
After being uprooted from their home in Vietnam, young Hà is happy with her new life at the refugee camp. But today is Moving Day! And while the rest of the family is excited to head to their "forever home" in America, Hà doesn't want to leave.
Leaving means saying goodbye to her best friend, her loving teacher, and the beautiful wildflowers she picks daily. She's not ready for yet another change. Who will play the game Ô Ăn Quan with her? What if she can't master speaking English?
Can Hà carry the best parts of her beloved camp with her? Can wildflowers grow in America too?
Inspired by the author's childhood, Where Wildflowers Grow explores the emotional struggle of moving and the joy in discovering there's always hope in new beginnings.
Look in the back of the book for pictures and details about the author's journey to America, as well as rules to play the game featured in the story!
An empowering picture book about the importance of stepping up (and speaking up) to address injustice and effect change within our daily lives, from the author of I Affirm Me: The ABCs of Inspiration for Black Kids.
I Am Somebody takes the reader on a journey over the course of a day, as our main character notices various forms of neglect and injustice--from trash on the sidewalk and students butting in line waiting for the bus, to not sharing on the playground and bullying about food. In each instance, the young child remarks that SOMEBODY should do something to remedy the situation(s) until, eventually, they realize that they are the person that can effect change. This powerful story reminds us that every living thing is unique and should be treated with kindness and respect and that we are ALL "somebody."
Isaac can't grow a beard like his dad's, but helping his community makes him the coolest kid at the barbershop.
Isaac wants to grow a beard, just like his dad, who always seems to be the coolest guy in the barbershop. Isaac uses Dad's beard oil every day for weeks, but nothing happens.
Next time it's barbershop day, Isaac doesn't even want to go back--but maybe there is still a way for him to grow the coolest beard.
Ready to keep your grownup busy? AND to have lots of fun? Build a kite, make a mosaic, and more in this fun-filled book, loaded with countless creative ideas, from the New York Times bestselling creators of How to Babysit a Grandpa!
It's time to have some fun with your grownup! All you need are basic materials and some imagination. Get ready to see a plant drink, make ice cream in a bag, teach your mom yoga, and more in this fun-filled activity book!
Enjoy family fun with science, crafts, nature and more as the kids can lead a hands-on learning experience. Share this book with grown ups, loved ones, and anyone who wants to get creative!
'Salat in Secret': As Ramadan begins, author's work shines light on Muslim children
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