You cannot truly love others if you don’t love yourself. Healthy self-esteem is the foundation for resilience, compassion and joy. The multicultural children’s books on this list can be a great support in building children’s self-esteem!
20 Multicultural Children’s Books To Help Build Self-Esteem
Babies & Toddlers
I Am So Brave!
by Stephen Krensky
I Am So Brave! celebrate the feats of growing out of toddlerhood with courage and increased knowledge – from petting a dog to waving goodbye to a parent. Toddlers and parents will love the encouraging text and the vintage screen-print-style illustrations. ~ African – Babies & Toddlers
More books about courage: 18 Multicultural Children’s Books about Fear and Courage
Preschool
It’s Okay To Be Different // Be Who You Are
by Todd Parr
“It’s okay to need some help. / It’s okay to be a different color. / It’s okay to talk about your feelings.” With his signature quirky style, Todd Parr never fails to reassure children that they are okay just the way they are. It’s Okay To Be Different and Be Who You Are! will inspire kids to celebrate their individuality through acceptance of themselves and others. ~ Diverse – Preschool
ABC for Me: ABC What Can She Be?
by Sugar Snap Studio
Not even the sky is the limit for little girls with big dreams! With bright artwork, ABC What Can She Be? explores 26 different career paths, including engineer, writer, neurosurgeon, software engineer, and pilot. A great book for parents to introduce their little girls to the bright futures before them! ~ Diverse – Preschool
More STEAM books: 50+ Multicultural STEAM Books for Children
Where Are You From?
by Yamile Saied Mendez
“Where are you from?” is the question one little girl constantly gets asked. Unsure about how to reply, she turns to her loving abuelo for help. He doesn’t give her the response she expects but an even better one. With luminous illustrations and lyrical text, Where Are You From? is a powerful picture book about identity, belonging and self-acceptance. ~ Hispanic – Preschool
You Can Be
by Elise Gravel
Short and sweet, You Can Be is a gentle reminder to embrace diversity in yourself and others, to be kind, and above all, to be yourself. Elise Gravel’s signature style will elicit giggles from kids and adults alike as they highlight all the weird and wonderful ways to be a kid. ~ Diverse – Preschool
Remarkably You
by Pat Zietlow Miller
“You might go unnoticed, or shine like a star, / but wherever you go and whoever you are… / don’t change how you act to be just like the rest. / Believe in yourself and the things you do best.” With inspiring text and exuberant illustrations, Remarkably You celebrates all the wonderful ways children can be their remarkable selves. ~ Diverse – Preschool
There’s Only One You
by K. Heling & D. Hembrock
“In all the world over, this much is true: You’re somebody special. There’s only one YOU.” With beautiful illustrations, There’s Only One You celebrates individuality and diversity. Expertly written to include all kinds of children and families, the book features a range of physical types, personalities, and abilities. A must-have! ~ Diverse – Preschool
Julián Is a Mermaid
by Jessica Love
While riding the subway home with his Abuela one day, Julián is fascinated by three women spectacularly dressed up as mermaids. When he gets home, he makes his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think? Vibrantly illustrated, Julián is a Mermaid is a heart-warming celebration of self-love, individuality and acceptance. ~ Hispanic – Preschool
I Will Be Fierce
by Bea Birdsong
“Today, I will be fierce! I will answer the call to adventure.” It’s a brand new day, and a young girl decides to take on the world. From home to school and back again, she conquers the Mountain of Knowledge (the library), forges new bridges (friendships), and leads the victorious charge home on her steed (the school bus). With bright illustrations, I Will Be Fierce! is a powerful picture book about courage, confidence, and kindness. ~ Diverse – Preschool
More books about courage: 18 Multicultural Children’s Books about Fear and Courage
The Skin You Live In
by Michael Tyler
“Think how lucky you are / that the skin you live in, / so beautifully holds the “you” who’s within.” With bouncy rhyme and cheerful illustrations, The Skin You Live promotes diversity, friendship and self-esteem. Children’s of different cultures are presented enjoying the same things, from swimming in the ocean, hugging, catching butterflies, and eating birthday cake. A wonderful start for conversations about diversity and self-acceptance! ~ Diverse – Preschool
Incredible You
by Rhys Brisenden
Ever had a bad day and wished you were someone else? Maybe a mountain gorilla? Or a fierce tiger? But just think of all the amazing things that you can do! You can sing, you can write, and you can dream. And never stop being incredible you! With zest and positivity, Incredible You reassures children that they are unique and amazing. ~ Diverse – Preschool
Whoever You Are
by Mem Fox
“Little one, / whoever you are, / wherever you are, / there are little ones / just like you / all over the world.” Whoever You Are is a joyful celebration of our world’s diverse cultures with all their differences and similarities. The colourful folk art paintings of children from all over the world perfectly reflect Fox’s message that no matter where we come from, “joys are the same, / and love is the same. / Pain is the same, / and blood is the same.” ~ Diverse – Preschool
Read-aloud tips from the author: Ten read-aloud commandments by Mem Fox
Marvelous Me: Inside and Out
by Lisa Bullard
Little Alex is just like other children in some ways, such as getting angry sometimes, but also unique because of his special laugh, his grizzly hugs, and his own interesting thoughts. Marvelous Me teaches children to value their own uniqueness and is a great self-esteem booster. Includes activities. ~ African – Preschool
I Love My Hair! // Bippity Bop Barbershop
by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Two more noteworthy books about self-love: I love my hair! tells the story of how young Keyana learns to take pride in her hair, even though it hurts when Mama combs it. In Bippity Bop Barbershop little Miles bravely sits through his first haircut. The beautiful watercolour illustrations emphasize the loving family interactions and add to the warm feel of the stories. ~ African – Preschool
Elementary School
I Am Enough
by Grace Byers
“We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.” I Am Enough is a lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another. Every Black girl should have this simple yet powerful book by Empire actor and activist Grace Byers! ~ African – Elementary School
Listening with My Heart: A story of kindness and self-compassionby Gabi Garcia
Kindness matters! Not only to other people but to ourselves, too. Along with Esperanza, young readers learn about the importance of empathy, kindness and self-compassion. Listening with my Heart is a wonderful addition to any home or school library. Includes mindfulness activities. ~ Hispanic – Elementary School
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
by Sonia Sotomayor
Due to be released in September, Just Ask celebrates diversity and different abilities. Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor looks at the challenges differently-abled children face — but also at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, they ask each other questions along the way. ~ Diverse – Elementary School
Find Your Happy!: A Kid’s Self Love Book
by Patricia May
Help kids feel more confident, worthy and loving with simple daily mindful practices that kids and adults will love! Find Your Happy is a fun self-love book for children that can be used in groups, classrooms, and at home. ~ Diverse – Elementary School
*You can buy any of the books on this site from Amazon USA by clicking on the book titles or images.*
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