5 Wonderfully Diverse Board Books
Whether we’re helping our children to recognize themselves in the pages and illustrations of their storybooks, or exposing them to other cultures, religions, genders, and experiences from a young age, the need for diversity in books is imperative. And it is never too early to start curating a collection of diverse books for your children. So in this spirit, here are five great board books to get your young reader started down this rich path, which will help expand their lives and enrich their reading experiences for years to come.
Please, Baby, Please, by Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, and Kadir Nelson
As a Brooklynite and huge fan of Spike Lee’s films, I could not be more excited to discover his board book! (Start your kids off with this, and then watch Do The Right Thing when they go to bed for a full Spike Lee experience.) Spike Lee teams up with his wife Tonya Lewis (a children’s television producer and author) as well as award-winning illustrator Kadir Nelson to create a sweet story about a spirited toddler, which is good fun for the whole family.
I Love My Hair! (Board Book), by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley and E.B. Lewis
This empowering and bestselling book tells the story of a young African American girl and her mother, who combs through her hair every night with coconut oil before she goes to bed in a loving (although sometimes painful) ritual. A particularly good read for moms and daughters, and a great conversation starter to talk about beauty and self-confidence.
Global Babies, by The Global Fund for Children, Karen Su, and Frans Lemmens
This story takes board books to a whole new global level! Meet adorable babies from all over the world in this multicultural book. (And from my experience, babies just love looking and pointing at other babies!) An added bonus is that part of the profits of the book sales go towards supporting The Global Fund for Children nonprofit. Seems like a win, win to me! And if you still haven’t gotten your baby fix, you can pick up American Babies, which showcases just how wonderfully diverse this country truly is!
Tickle, Tickle, by Helen Oxenbury
This classic book by Helen Oxenbury was originally published almost thirty years ago, but is still perfect for today’s toddlers. Sweet illustrations of a diverse group of adorable babies at play, what’s not to love? If you wish this book were a little bit longer, there’s more fun where that came from including Clap Hands and Say Goodnight.
Besos For Baby: A Little Book of Kisses, by Jen Arena and Blanca Gomez
One of my great regrets is not being fluent in another language, and as the experts say, the earlier you start, the easier it is to pick up. So whether your first language Spanish or English, this sweet bilingual board book is perfect for reading aloud with your little bebe. A glossary at the end helps enforce the new vocabulary for English readers.
What diverse board books do you love?