Recommended Books for Children & Teens
The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates
“Lush illustrations and simple, lyrical text subtly address themes of inclusion and tolerance in this sweet story that accomplished illustrator Amy June Bates [co-wrote] with her daughter, Juniper, while walking to school together in the rain.
By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have. Don’t worry that there won’t be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room.” ~Summary from Amazon
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
“Readers will follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other’s traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be. Join the call for a better world with this New York Times bestselling picture book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. The perfect back-to-school read for every kid, family and classroom!” ~Summary from Amazon
Different – A Great Thing to Be! by Heather Avis
“This joyful rhyming book encourages children to value the “different” in all people, leading the way to a kinder world in which the differences in all of us are celebrated and embraced. Children are naturally aware of the differences they encounter at school, in their neighborhood, and in other everyday relationships. They just need to be given tools to understand and appreciate what makes us “different,” permission to ask questions about it, and eyes to see and celebrate it in themselves as well as in those around them.” ~Summary from Amazon
Celebrate Our Differences by Mary Nhin
“Fun, cute, and entertaining with beautiful illustrations, this book is a wonderful tool for parents and educators to teach kids to foster the different abilities awareness and celebrate differences.
Having a pet dragon is very fun! He can sit, roll over, and play… He can candle a birthday cake, [light] a campfire, or so many other cool things… But what if your dragon is diagnosed with ADHD? What if he’s worried, scared? What if he wonders what is wrong with him? What should you do? You teach him that being different is A-OK! You tell him that he’s not the only one who is different. You talk to him about all his friends with different abilities such as physical disability, hearing, and vision [impairment], autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, nut allergies, asthma, diabetes, and more…” ~Summary from Amazon
Inclusive Ninja by Mary Nhin
“Inclusive Ninja shares how we can all be an advocate of inclusion. Find out what happens in this diverse, anti-bullying book about inclusion and diversity. Life is tough. But so are you! The new children’s book series, Ninja Life Hacks, was developed to help children learn valuable life skills. Fun, pint-size characters in comedic books easy enough for young readers, yet witty enough for adults. The Ninja Life Hacks book series is geared to kids 3-11. Perfect for boys, girls, early readers, primary school students, or toddlers. Excellent resource for counselors, parents, and teachers alike.” ~Summary from Amazon