girl power

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There’s been a great uptick in multicultural children’s books in the last few years but they are still, unfortunately, far fewer in numbers than they should be. It’s so important for kids to identify with the characters in the books they read yet it’s easy forget that not all kids get that chance. And those kids who do identify with the characters featured in the majority of books need a chance to see variety of culture, color, and tradition represented to help them form foundations of acceptance and empathy for those they’ll meet who may be different than they are.

So, I’m sharing a few books in honor of multicultural children’s book day today. Take a look at the stacks of books you get from the library, the ones that line your home shelves. Are they filled with diverse characters or could they be described as a little closer to vanilla? Here are a few options at varying age ranges to get you started if you need to broaden your horizons.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Written and Illustrated by: Vashti Harrison

Number of Pages: 96

Age Range: 4-12

Rating: 5/5

First, a fabulous volume featuring mini-biographies of “bold women in Black history.” Ranging from the likes of Phyllis Wheatley and Sojourner Truth to Oprah Winfrey and Dominique Dawes each featured female has a one page bio giving you a snippet of information to whet your appetite. Then there’s the back matter with suggested reading, recordings, websites and more. One that should belong in everybody’s library!

Pashmina Book Review

Pashmina

Written and Illustrated by: Nidhi Chanani

Number of Pages: 176

Age Range: 10-14

Rating: 4/5

Next up is a vivid young adult graphic novel about Pri who finds a magical pashmina that transports her to a place where she learns about her Indian culture and finding peace as an Indian-American. The colors are gorgeous and anyone who’s ever struggled to fit in will connect instantly with Pri and her dilemmas.

Shadow Warrior

Written by: Tanya Lloyd Kyi

Illustrated by: Celia Krampien

Number of Pages: 64

Age Range: 8-12

Rating: 4/5

Now we have a fictionalized story of a female ninja in 1500s Japan. Based on actual events there are plenty of resources (maps, glossary, further reading, known facts vs. the fictionalized parts) to supplement the fascinating story of a fearless woman.

Storm Boy

Written and Illustrated by: Paul Owen Lewis

Number of Pages: 32

Age Range: 5-9

Rating: 4/5

Last up is an older release about a boy from an indigenous tribe from the Pacific Northwest. After being caught in a storm he washes ashore in a village inhabited by supernatural beings. Again, excellent back matter gives background on the tribal motifs, culture, and traditions.

Do you have any favorite multicultural stories or characters you think I’d like? I’m always looking for suggestions to add to my “To Read” list. Leave them in the comments below!

Happy Reading!

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Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

I absolutely love learning about the lives of others, particularly women. And it’s an added bonus if someone can introduce me to an unsung hero, a person who did something relatively ordinary with their lives that ended up making a difference, or someone who slipped under the radar. Today I’ve got four fabulous women profiled in four fabulous picture books that I’m excited to share with you all.

First up we have The Girl Who Thought in Pictures, a brief biography of Temple Grandin, whose work with animal rights is unparalleled. Grandin is autistic and she’s used her experiences growing up and entering a male dominated workforce to bring awareness to both autism and women’s rights. Written in rhyme and complete with a timeline, additional information after the story and even a note from Temple herself.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures

Written by: Julia Finley Mosca

Illustrated by: Daniel Rieley

Number of Pages: 32

Age Range: 5-10

Rating: 5/5

Next is Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist. Eugenie Clark fell in love with the ocean and its creatures the first time she stepped into an aquarium as a child. She had a particular affinity for sharks who everyone else thought of as brutal and bloodthirsty. She spent her life studying the sharks in their natural habitats and making many valuable discoveries in the process. Written by Keating, an acclaimed zoologist in her own right, the book includes a timeline, shark facts and more.

Shark Lady Book Review

Shark Lady

Written by: Jess Keating

Illustrated by: Marta Alvarez Miguens

Number of Pages: 32

Age Range: 5-10

Rating: 4.5/5

Dangerous Jane tells the story of peace activist Jane Addams. Inspired and touched by the various scenes of poverty she saw in many corners of the world, Jane founded Hull House in Chicago. Over twenty-five years she helped immigrants from many countries to learn skills and find jobs. At the onset of World War One she set off to lecture and convince the leaders of the involved countries to bring about peace. This lead her to being named the FBI’s “Most Dangerous Woman in America” and finally being the first woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. There’s back matter containing additional biographical information and photos.

Dangerous Jane

Written by: Suzanne Slade

Illustrated by: Alice Ratterree

Number of Pages: 32

Age Range: 5-10

Rating: 4.5/5

And last but not least is a little-known figure by the name of Lucile “Ludy” Godbold. In the early 1900s a new international meet called The Women’s Olympics was founded as a way for female athletes to compete. Ludy’s height and skill make her a natural on the field and thanks to the support of the students and faculty at Winthrop College she is able to venture to France for the 1922 games where she sets numerous records. When she returns home, she embarks on a life-long career of teaching athletics and is even admitted into the South Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Back matter includes photos and further information on her life.

Long-Armed Ludy

Written by: Jean L. S. Patrick

Illustrated by: Adam Gustavson

Number of Pages: 32

Age Range: 5-10

Rating: 4.5/5

If you’re looking to be inspired or to inspire a young reader, look no further than these four books!

Happy Reading!

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Multicultural Children’s Book Day ~ Book Reviews

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Picture Book Review ~ The Girl Who Thought in Pictures

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.