Favorite Beautiful + Diverse Children’s Books

Since my book, When Charley Met Emma, is ONE WEEK AWAY from its official release date (what?) it seemed appropriate to compile a list of some of our family’s favorite children’s books. Many of these will probably already be on your book shelves, but maybe some of them aren’t. I specifically wanted to feature the books I find beautiful as I believe beauty is an important element in good design, storytelling and because beauty conveys a sense of value. That’s one of the reasons I was adamant about When Charley Met Emma being a beautiful book and I was so grateful that the illustrator I wanted from the beginning, Merrilee Liddiard, was ultimately the illustrator for the book. Also, many of these books stand as great examples of diversity in our home; skin color, ability, gender, religion and even how people live and exist in the world. Not all of them are diversity focused, but many are. At the end of the day these books are the ones we come back to time and time again. This is by no means an exhaustive, comprehensive list,* but they are definitely some family favorites enjoyed by all.

Also, I wanted to point out that we recently hung these book tray shelves in Zuzu’s room where I take advantage of the beautiful cover art and make them double as the art for the wall space. So this post has been on my mind in more ways than one! (Also, just so you know none of the links are affiliate links–meaning I am not getting a kickback from any of this. Not that I have a problem with affiliate links, but just an FYI.)

From left to right, top to bottom:
Leonardo the Terrible Monster: I know Mo Willems is known for a lot of great books, but this one always stands out from the graphic type on the front, to sweet message about a person’s ability to change.

Each Peach Pear Plum: I don’t know what it is about this book, but we’ve read it until the cardboard pages are practically falling apart. It’s the kind of book that both mom and even young children will easily memorize.

Miss Nelson is Missing!: A classic that I loved from my childhood (I’m sure most of us did) and when I got it for Zuzu for Christmas she was immediately obsessed.

Chloe Instead: A sweetly simple book about welcoming a new sister into the house who is NOTHING like you. Sidenote: I petitioned hard for Zuzu to be named Chloe (spoiler: she’s not).

Extra Yarn: Beautiful illustrations mixed with an enchanting story. It’s great to have books that mirror real life, but it’s also great to have books that completely stretch our children’s imaginations.

Joseph Had a Little OverCoat: Fantastic message about resourcefulness, charming and detailed illustrations and I love the Jewish backdrop through which the story is told.

The Snowy Day: Another classic. As a white girl who lived my younger years in western Nebraska, with no friends of color at that age, I can tell you that this story about a black boy in an urban neighborhood translated just fine because SNOW. (Also, can you believe this book is over 50 years old?)

If You Lived Here: Houses of the World: I don’t know what age I was when I realized that my version of “normal” wasn’t everybody else’s version of normal, but I’ve loved learning about what “normal” looks like around the world ever since. This book is such a fantastic way to show your kids that how they live, isn’t how everyone lives. Fascinating concept for young minds!

Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova: I may have bought this book solely for the illustrations, but I also fell for the real-life story of ballerina Anna Pavlova. The perfect inspiration for Zuzu who wants to be a ballerina.

When Charley Met Emma: Of course I had to throw my own book in the ring. Beautifully illustrated, this book will help disability feel familiar and those with disabilities as their equals. (Amazon link as well.)

Dear Girl: Yes to books that speak directly to our girls and help them see their potential in this world. (And for you boy moms there is Dear Boy.)

In My Heart: A book of Feelings: Or more aptly, a book about ALL THE FEELINGS! How great is it for our kids to see that all their feelings, not just the happy ones, are normal and something everyone experiences? Not only that but such a great book to give our children language for some of the more complicated things they might feel.

The Tea Party in the Woods: Another lovely, enchanting story that stretches the imagination. And really, the illustrations are jaw-dropping.

Fancy Nancy: Diversity? You might say. Well, yes. If we want to teach our girls that it’s OK to be whoever they are, then we need to make sure we’re OK with their over-the-top, frilly + lacy, girly-girl sides as well. Because I can tell you, some girls are really born that way.

Uni the Unicorn: If you have a little girl who loves unicorns in your life, you’ll love the sweet reversal of this book about a unicorn who dares to believe that little girls are real.

Kiki and Coco in Paris: The first time I saw this book I wanted to know where I could get one of those dolls! Turns out I could get them from Jess Brown. Or I could just make my own. The photographs in this book plus story of a little girl with her favorite doll in Paris is the stuff of childhood dreams.

The Day the Crayons Quit: As someone who used to personify her crayons growing up this one totally speaks to me. I absolutely buy this concept and for the record my blue crayons were never allowed to fraternize with the red crayons because the pink crayons were their girlfriends.

Stick and Stone: Such a sweet story about friendship and the ties the bind us together.

The Color of Us: Teaching our children that skin comes in all different shades from a young age is a simple, but important concept.

Faces: An artistic and fun interactive book that helps us see the faces in the world all around us.

King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub: Another classic that dates back to my childhood with a winning formula: a simple story, with intricate, detailed illustrations. 30+ years later and I still marvel at the illustrations.

Emmanuel’s Dream:The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah: Another limb difference book! Yay! And this one features a story of persistence and hard work–never a bad combo.

Tomorrow is Waiting: I shared this book recently as it’s a new release and author Kiley Frank sent us a copy–we immediately loved it. It’s beautiful and dreamy with super colorful illustrations.

Lately Lily: Zuzu likes to ask for this one a lot which I like to think she wants to travel when she grows up. I hope so.

Some other books that we don’t have but that I’ve heard good things about:
Don’t Touch My Hair
All the Ways to be Smart (actually ordered this and can’t wait to get it–it sold out quickly last time!)
Grumpy Monkey
Rosie Revere, Engineer

What would you add to the list?

*Also I purposefully omitted Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle and Maurice Sendak’s masterpiece Where The Wild Things Are. I just felt like these were all a given.