15 Favorite Diverse Board Books for Babies and Toddlers
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. I’ve only linked to products because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
This is a round-up of 15 favorite diverse board books for babies and toddlers. The books on this list were chosen because they are developmentally appropriate, high quality, and enjoyable for the youngest readers.
Diverse Board Books for Babies and Toddlers
1. Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
Representation:
- Families of diverse races and ethnicities
- Diversity in how babies eat, sleep, and play
- Diverse family structures
- LGBTQ parents
- Caregivers of different ages
Book Features:
- Colorful, detailed illustrations
- Rhyming, lyrical text
- Bright and happy vibes
2. Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer
Representation:
- Racially and ethnically diverse characters
- Children with disabilities
Book Features:
- Quick read
- Focus on values
- Bright, cheerful illustrations
- Repetitive text
3. Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children
Representation:
- Racial and ethnic diversity
- Diverse traditions, clothing, and daily life
Book Features:
- Real photographs
- Emphasis on similarities
4. Baby Loves The Five Senses: Hearing by Ruth Spiro
As of this writing, my beloved BookShop.org didn’t have the image for this book. It is still being included because while I love things being eye-catchingly adorable, I also love this book. This book is one in a series of five.
But hey, there are actually two more senses, the vestibular and proprioceptive senses, that the books don’t cover.
Representation:
- Children with disabilities
- Hearing loss, deafness, hearing aids, cochlear implants, sign language
- Racially diverse characters
Book Features:
- STEM topics
5. We are Little Feminists: Families by Little Feminist
This series also includes We are Little Feminists Hair and We Are Little Feminist On-the-Go. You can purchase the entire book bundle here.
Representation:
- Families of different races and ethnicities
- Diverse family structures
- LGBTQ+ parents and children
Book Features:
- Real photographs
We love Little Feminist because they make building an inclusive, diverse children’s library so easy!
6. Animals (Multilingual Board Books)(Words of the World Series) by Motomitsu Maehara
This series also includes a book on plants, ocean animals, and birds.
Representation:
- Multilingual – English, Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Esperanto
Book Features:
- Paper collage artwork – it’s incredible!
- Numbers/Counting
7. Whose Knees are These by Jabari Asim
And companion book Whose Toes are Those
Representation:
- Black main character
Book Features:
- Playful rhymes
- Body positivity
8. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Representation:
- Black main character
- Nature play in an urban setting
Book Features:
- Classic favorite children’s book
9. Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin
Representation:
- Diverse characters
- Diverse foods and mealtime traditions
- Chinese, Chinese American culture
Book Features:
- Origin of dim sum
- Glossary of foods
10. Jack and the Bean Stalk by Carly Gledhill
Representation:
- Black main character
Book Features:
- Classic story revised for babies and toddlers
- Colorful, engaging illustrations
11. Mommy, Mama, and Me by Lesléa Newman
And companion book Daddy, Papa, and Me
Representation:
- LGBTQ parents
Book Features:
- Rhyming
- Focus on familiar, daily family life
12. Kiss by Kiss / Ocêhtowina by Richard Van Camp
Representation:
- Bilingual – English and Plains Cree
- Indigenous culture
- Caregivers of different ages
Book Features:
- Real photographs
- Counting/STEM topic
- Pronunciation guide
13. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Illustrated by Carly Gledhill
Representation:
- Black female main character
Book Features:
- Classic story revised for babies and toddlers
- Colorful, engaging illustrations
14. Holi Colors by Rina Singh
Diversity Shown:
- Hindu children
- Hindu culture and celebrations
Book Features:
- Real photographs
- STEM topic
- Rhyming
15. The Hair Book by LaTonya Yvette
Representation:
- Diverse types of hair and hair coverings
- Racially and ethnically diverse characters
Book Features:
- Bold, bright geometric graphics
No posts
Questions, Activities, and Additional Resources
Why is it important to share diverse books with babies and toddlers?
Too often, children’s picture books lack representation of BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ children and families. This means children belonging to minority groups may never see themselves in the stories and illustrations in children’s books.
When different cultures are shown in children’s books, they are often misrepresented or stereotyped.
Babies and toddlers with access to diverse board books can start respecting the diversity of humans at an early age. Depending on a family’s community or childcare practices (spending the majority of time at home or with family), young children may not be exposed to different cultures.
Diverse board books introduce babies and toddlers to the incredible diversity of the human race. Children start seeing what they have in common with others and appreciating differences.
Children build self-esteem and a positive self-identity when they see themselves positively represented in media. Choosing quality diverse children’s books can have a lifetime impact on a child’s sense of self.
Diverse Board Book Activities for Babies and Toddlers
- Ask open-ended questions
- Act out parts of the book with puppets or toy
- Talk about real-life connections
- “We are eating red salsa just like in the book.”
- “You feel happy too when it is time to eat.”
- Store books on low shelves or in baskets on the floor to keep them accessible
- Build vocabulary while you and your child search for things on the pages
- During tummy time, prop books up in front of your baby so they see the pages and reach for the book
Easily create a cozy children’s reading space with this free home library checklist.
50 Favorite Language Activities for Toddlers (no worksheets)
Additional Diverse Book Resources
While I dream of being an expert on diverse books for children, Little Feminist actually is. They not only share the best children’s books but they are dedicated to promoting BIPOC authors and illustrators. Check out their blog to explore more about diversity and inclusion in children’s books.
Black Baby Books – Website dedicated to promoting books with black children’s book characters.
What is BookShop.org?
BookShop.org is an online bookstore that supports independent, local bookstores. They provide an ethical alternative to purchasing books on amazon (I said what I said).
Thrifty Tip: Your local library lends board books in the children’s section. Board book titles are even sometimes available on library e-book lending services too!
