Are you looking for some children’s books to help teach your kids about race: Multiculturalism, racial equality, and diversity? Whether you have a pre-schooler, elementary, grade school, tween, or teen, this list covers ALL the bases, and is a great way to integrate cultural and racial equality and awareness in your home and parenting.
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Teaching Your Kids About Race and Diversity
It’s no mystery that what our world is going through leaves parents sometimes dumbfounded as to how to navigate conversations about race and diversity with their kids.
Read more about this topic here.
But even though we might stumble through these conversations–because we are all still learning–they are still a vital responsibility as a parent.
The importance of it lies in the fact that we are all equal, but our children come out thinking they are the most important and vital creature on God’s green earth.
And while it’s healthy for them to see themselves as important, especially from you as the parent, it’s equally important for them to see others as just as valuable–no matter the color of their skin, the amount of money their family makes, or how visibly different someone looks.
When should I teach my child about race and diversity?
You can begin to teach about racial or otherwise diversity at a very young age. This can be as simple as acknowledging that someone is different, and how beautiful they are in their differences.
For example, I was at the zoo with my son a few years ago. There was a young kid who was missing his leg, and my son was very intrigued. Seeing the giant question mark sweep across his face, I knew this was something we would need to talk about.
He said very loudly, “Look at that kid! Where did his leg go?”
I took him aside and told him that maybe something had happened, or perhaps he was born that way. I brought to light that he was different, and how cool he was for having a robot let. My son immediately said, “That’s SO cool!”
By bringing to light his difference, it was beneficial in the conversation with my son. He was able to acknowledge that someone was different, but of no less value. Uniquely wonderful in his own way.
The same goes for race and bringing to light the difference, but at the same time teaching equality
We have also had numerous conversations with our son about black history or about Jewish history and what happened during the Holocaust (his dad is German and we lived in German for a few years).
In one of my other posts, I talk about how teaching your kids about racial and social equality as one of the most essential emotional life skills to teach as parents.
To teach your kids to embrace race–while also going further than that to embrace people of different social statuses, people with disabilities, or anyone different than them–then you need to start young.
More importantly, your kids learning racial awareness starts with you modeling it first.
How do you as an adult treat others who are different than you? Are you bringing to light to amazing accomplishments of people who are different?
What’s the best way to teach your kids about racial, social, and otherwise, equality? Show them with your actions and words that whether you look to your right or your left, the person standing there is just as valued and important as you are, as well as bring to light the differences.
Now that we covered that, let’s also discuss some practical ways to teach your kids about this topic with this list of children’s books about race and diversity that can help pave the way
5 Powerful Books for Kids About Race and Equality
ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us
by Dorena Williamson (Grade: PreK–2; Age: 4–8)
Book Description: “Imani and Kayla are the best of friends who are learning to celebrate their different skin colors. As they look around them at the amazing colors in nature, they can see that their skin is another example of God’s creativity! This joyful story takes a new approach to discussing race: instead of being colorblind, we can choose to celebrate each color God gave us and be colorFULL instead.”
God’s Very Good Idea (Tales That Tell the Truth)
by Trillia Newbell (Grade: 1–2; Age: 4–8)
Book Description: “God’s very good idea is to have lots of different people enjoying loving him and loving each other. This stunningly illustrated journey from the garden of Eden to God’s heavenly throne room shows how despite our sinfulness, everyone can be a part of God’s very good idea through the saving work of Christ.
This book will help children see how people from all ethnic and social backgrounds are valuable to God and how Jesus came to rescue all kinds of people. It will also excite them about being part of church.”
God Made Me AND You: Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity
by Shai Linne (Grade: 3–7; Age: 8–12)
Book Description: “This beautifully illustrated children’s book invites kids to explore God’s design for ethnic diversity and challenges readers both parents and children to learn and live out counter-cultural, biblical views, fostering a lifelong celebration of diversity for the glory of God. Designed for four to eleven-year-olds, God Made Me and You by Shai Linne is the second book in the God Made Me series, starting with God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb.
Because biblical Scripture teaches that ethnic diversity is not something that should be tolerated but rather enthusiastically embraced, Christian hip hop artist Shai Linne helps children, parents, and caregivers to celebrate this biblical truth through a lyrical, rhyming style and colorful illustrations.
God Made Me and You is an approachable guide for Christian families to begin conversations about cultivating a God’s perspective on ethnic diversity, confronting the sins of racism, bigotry, and ethnic pride.
Because children learn from family members, media, or peers, Christian parents and caretakers have a responsibility to teach their children what God has to say about the beauty of diversity in his image-bearers, with a particular focus on ethnic diversity.
This colorful and compelling children’s book serves as a resource and lifelong gift for children and parents, helping families understand diversity from a biblical perspective and with a clear picture of the beauty and glory of God.”
The Gospel In Color For Parents: A Theology of Racial Reconciliation for Parents
by Curtis Woods and Jarvis Williams (Grade: 5–9; Age: 10+)
Book Description: “Where does racism come from? How should Christians respond rightly, without falling into the error of color-blindness or ignorance? And how do we equip kids with a gospel lens on these issues? The Gospel In Color For Parents directly addresses these vital questions, equipping parents to provide their children with a biblical perspective on race and racism, while celebrating the gospel s power to bring about reconciliation.
Through rich illustrations and approachable text, this book and its companion volume, The Gospel In Color For Kids, help parents present their kids with big ideas in an engaging way.”
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
by Carole Boston Weatherford (Grade: 7–10; Age: 12–16)
Book Description:
“Stirring poems and stunning collage illustrations combine to celebrate the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a champion of equal voting rights.
“I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977. Integral to the Freedom Summer of 1964, Ms. Hamer gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention that, despite President Johnson’s interference, aired on national TV news and spurred the nation to support the Freedom Democrats. Featuring vibrant mixed-media art full of intricate detail, Voice of Freedom celebrates Fannie Lou Hamer’s life and legacy with a message of hope, determination, and strength.”
Positive parenting tools for every parent
Screen Time Protection and Teaching Moderation
I’ve recently partnered with Bark, a software to supervise, manage, and protect your child’s device use on the go. Use the code WORDBIRD at checkout to get an additional 1-month free trial after your first initial 7-day trial!
Screen Time Checklist Printable for Kids – FREE if you sign up for our weekly newsletter. Just fill out your info below.
Book List for Kids and Parents
Check out my recommended books for parenting.
Book list to teach kids about racial diversity.
Journaling for Kids
When a child is old enough to start drawing, coloring, or writing, journaling is an incredible way to help your kids better express themselves in a free and comfortable way. Check out our Kid’s Printable Journals — created specifically to help children better express their feelings, encourage gratitude, and spark the imagination.
Chores for Kids
Magnetized Chalk Chart for Fridge
Implementing chores and structure in your child’s daily life is a VERY helpful tool to teach them follow through, discipline, and respect. We use this chore chart in our family to help our kids keep track of their own progress, and keep you from having to constantly remind them of their daily tasks.
If you’re looking for something a bit more simple, this is also a good option.
Chore Chart Printable – Get it NOW from the convenience of your own printer
If you’re looking for something you can print out immediately and start implementing chores in your home today, check out this CHORE CHART PRINTABLE. With a Mandalorian theme, it makes for a lighthearted and fun way to encourage kids to do their daily and weekly “missions.”
Emotional Connectivity with Your Kids
Connecting on a deeper level emotionally with your child is CRUCIAL, and sometimes more difficult. We play THIS GAME often in our family to create a safe space for our kids to feel free to share their questions and emotions, all without judgment.
We even offer an “Exemption Time” for the duration of this game, where anything he tells us is off the table for consequences.
Check out these other posts on emotional connectivity on the blog!
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