RAISING CHILDREN YOU'D WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH

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In many situations, especially difficult ones, children’s books share messages and teach lessons better than any parent or family member could.This holds especially true when it comes to kids learning about differences ― different races, different religions, different abilities and more. We’ve rounded up a few children’s books that celebrate various differences in ways children can both understand and enjoy. Take a look:
"All Are Welcome"

Penguin Random House
This New York Times best-seller celebrates various cultures and introduces little readers to hijabs, yarmulkes and patkas, as well as different family traditions.

"A Family Is a Family Is a Family"

House of Anansi
As part of a class assignment, students describe their different families, including a classmate being raised by a grandmother, another growing up with two dads and more.

"Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story"

Tilbury House Publishers
Although she’s nervous at first, Lailah teaches her friends at school about Ramadan and the way she fasts throughout the holy month.

"Chocolate Milk, Por Favor! Celebrating Diversity With Empathy"

Cardinal Rule Press
Kid-favorite beverage chocolate milk serves as a symbol in this book about a growing friendship between a boy and his new classmate who doesn't speak English.

"Different Is Awesome"

Living One-Handed
Different Is Awesome is the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign from Ryan Haack, who was born with one hand and set out to bring more inclusion to the children’s book world.

"What's Cool About Braille Code School?"

Braille Code Inc.
Gracie Benedith-Cane wrote What’s Cool About Braille Code School? in honor of her son Wani, who is legally blind. In the book, she explains to readers what it’s like to navigate the world with vision impairments and teaches about the importance of Braille.

"Giraffes Can't Dance"

Scholastic
Gerald the giraffe faces other animals’ relentless teasing about his lanky body when he tries to do the one thing he loves: dance. He soon learns, though, that his confidence and just the right music mean he can dance without a care in the world.

"The Push: A Story of Friendship"

Tyndale Kids
Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck, the author and illustrator of this book, based its story on their own friendship. It follows Marcus and his friend, John, who uses a wheelchair, throughout their many adventures together.

"Lucy's Umbrella"

AuthorHouse
Lucy's Umbrella follows its main character, Lucy, who has vitiligo, as she admires the patterns she notices in her surroundings.

"The Princess and the Fog"

Jessica Kingsley Publishers
The Princess and the Fog puts a spin on the usual fairy tale by introducing children to the topic of depression and offering hope to anyone affected by it.

"Happy in Our Skin"

Candlewick Press
The title Happy in Our Skin sums up this book's message well. Readers learn about the beauty in diversity while keeping up with different families spending time together.

"My Family Divided: One Girl's Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope"

Macmillan
Alongside author Erica Moroz, "Orange Is the New Black" star Diane Guerrero gets personal in this story for older readers (which was adapted from her 2016 memoir) that explains how Guerrero’s parents, who were undocumented immigrants, were detained and deported while she was at school.

"The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin"

The Innovation Press
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures tells the life story of 71-year-old Temple Grandin who as a child was diagnosed with autism and defied doctors’ expectations by earning her Ph.D. and becoming an authority on animal science and farming.

"Star of the Week: A Story of Love, Adoption, and Brownies With Sprinkles"

HarperCollins
Star of the Week follows Cassidy-Li, who was adopted from China as a baby, as she prepares an assignment to teach her class about her life. Inspired by author Darlene Friedman’s own family, the book includes Cassidy-Li’s concerns about missing her birth parents and her creative way of including them in her project.

"Why Are You Looking at Me? I Just Have Down Syndrome"

AuthorHouse
Inspired by her daughter who has Down syndrome, author Lisa Tompkins writes about the importance of embracing everyone's differences and taking the time to truly learn about someone. You'll likely find out you have a lot in common.

"Maddi's Fridge"

Flashlight Press
Although economic differences can be a bit more hidden than others, Maddi’s Fridge doesn’t shy away from the topic of poverty. In the book, Sofia, who has a fridge at home full of food, learns that her friend Maddi has a fridge that’s empty and struggles with whether she should tell her parents.

"Moses Goes to a Concert"

Macmillan
Moses Goes to a Concert is part of a series that follows Moses and his classmates who are deaf. In this particular book, which features American Sign Language, he and his friends learn their teacher has a fun surprise in store.

"I'm Like You, You're Like Me"

Free Spirit Publishing
While I’m Like You, You’re Like Me might sound like a book only about similarities, this work also teaches kids how fun it is to recognize the ways everyone stands out with their differences.

"Winter Candle"

Creston Books
A candle is the focus of this book that celebrates various cultures and religions as it weaves its way through the lives of many families. One family includes the object in their Kwanzaa celebration, another turns to it in place of their usual Havdalah candle and another uses it in their Saint Lucia crown.

"What's the Difference? Being Different Is Amazing"

Macmillan

Doyin Richards, a father of two who's known as "Daddy Doin' Work" online, breaks down race relations for kids in his book What’s the Difference? Being Different Is Amazing. His message motivates little ones to be aware of and appreciate the differences among people, instead of being “colorblind.”

"Mango, Abuela and Me"

Penguin Random House
Mango, Abuela and Me is another story about language barriers. When her grandmother moves into her family’s home, Mia comes up with ideas to strengthen her Spanish and her grandmother’s English so they can interact with each other more.

"Princess Hair"

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Princess Hair is a picture book about black hair that teaches kids the beauty that can be found in its many textures and styles.

By Taylor Pitman - https://www.huffpost.com/

@Pop-Ins Schoolhouse we believe there is beauty in diversity and being different is amazing! Help us embrace all humanity and enjoy life to the fullest.

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