Children’s Books to Help appreciate Differences: Ellen’s Book Nook

We are fortunate to live in a world that is made up of different people, cultures, religions, and beliefs. When I was young, I remember my grandmother telling me that the beautiful tapestry of life was woven together by the wide range of what was different in our world. It is important to not only acknowledge our differences but to also to appreciate differences. This is the cornerstone of living peacefully and in harmony.

Here is a list of books to explore with your children that feature the many aspects of different in our world. It is often thought that our children are the most open-minded, loving, kind, compassionate demographic in our world. Talk with them and really listen to their thoughts and ideas. Our children are unbelievably wise and you may be surprised by what they teach you. Remember “out of the mouth of babes…”

Children’s Books to Help Appreciate Differences

• It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
• Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
• Out of the Ark: Stories from the World’s Religions by Anita Ganeri
• This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids From Around the World by Matt Lamothe
• Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang
• Sesame Street’s We’re Different We’re the Same by Bobbi Kates
• Over the Hills and Far Away: A Treasure of Nursery Rhymes (from 23 Countries) collected by Elizabeth Hammill
• Talking to God by Demi
• 365 Bible Answers for Curious Kids by Kathryn Slattery
• Little People, Big Dreams: Harriet Tubman by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
• Everyone Matters by Pat Thomas
• The Kids Book of World Religions by Jennifer Glossop
• Same, Same But Different by Jennie Sue Kostecki-Shaw
• Hinduism and Other Eastern Religions: Worship, Festivals and Ceremonies from Around the World by Trevor Barnes
• Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
• The Sweeper: A Buddhist Tale by Rebecca Hazell
• All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
• Judaism: Worship, Festivals and Ceremonies from Around the World by Trevor Barnes
• Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
• The Belief Book by David McAfee
• Little Legends: Exceptional Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
• Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas by Pamela Ehrenberg
• Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki
• Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children
• Everyone Prays by Alexis York Lumbard
• Islam: Worship, Festivals, and Ceremonies from Around the World
• Drawn Together by Minh Le
• The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
• Native American Religions by Rob Staeger
• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
• Lovely by Jess Hong
• Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
• Noah Chases the Wind by Michelle Worthington
• How Mamas Love Their Babies by Juniper Fitzgerald
• Good People Everywhere by Lynea Gillen
• Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford
• Mae Among The Stars by Roda Ahmed
• Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story about Gender and Friendship by Jess Walton
• Hello, World! by Disney Book Group
• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena
• I Like Berries, Do You? by Marjorie W. Pitzer
• The Skin You Live In by Michael Tylker
• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
• Let The Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
• Hidden Figures by Margo Lee Shetterly
• Ten Tiny Babies by Karen Katz
• I Am Enough by Grace Byers
• A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza
• Happy In Our Skin by Fran Manushkin
• Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora
• The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Jen Wojtowicz
• Everybody Cooks Rice by Norah Dooley
• Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
• Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
• Daddy, Papa and Me by Leslea Newman
• Mommy, Mama and Me by Leslea Newman
• Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie
• Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
• We Are Grateful: Ostaliheliga by Traci Sorell
• Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs
• Pink is For Boys by Robb Pearlmann
• Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
• Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Monica Brown

By Guest Blogger Ellen Bryant Lloyd 

Ellen Bryant Lloyd is the author of FRECKLES and FRECKLES and The Great Beach Rescue. Please visit www.funwithfreckles.com and www.facebook.com/funwithfreckles to learn more about Freckles. Ellen writes a blog about her perspectives on life and parenting at www.mindfulmom.wordpress.com and tweets at @EllenBLloyd. She lives in Greensboro with her husband and two children.

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