NEW Multicultural Children’s Books August 2020

Colours of Us

4 years ago

Some beautiful new multicultural children’s book releases this month! Quite a few Latinx ones! Our favourites for August are Smell! (Babies & Toddlers), The Power Of One (Preschool), I Promise (Elementary School), Everything Sad Is Untrue (Middle School) and The Black Kids (High School). Enjoy browsing this list!

NEW Multicultural Children’s Books August 2020

Babies & Toddlers

Baby Loves the Five Senses: Smell!
by Ruth Spiro

Part of the Baby Loves Science series, Baby Loves The Five Senses: Smell explores the science of smell. Appealing illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage baby’s sense of wonder. Parents and caregivers may learn a thing or two as well! ~ African – Babies & Toddlers

Preschool

Saturdays Are For Stella
by Candy Wellins

Saturdays are George’s favourite day because he gets to spend time with Grandma Stella. The two of them love visiting the dinosaur museum, riding on the carousel, making cinnamon rolls and sharing the best hugs. Then one day Stella is gone, and George is ready to cancel Saturdays. But when a new addition to the family arrives, he finds a way to celebrate the priceless memories he made with his grandma―while making new ones too. Gorgeously illustrated Saturdays Are For Stella is a heartfelt story about family, loss, and grief. ~ African – Preschool

You Are a Beautiful Beginning
by Nina Laden

“It is not wishing to be different. / It is learning to love being you. / It is not the end of your story. /It is a beautiful beginning, too.” You Are a Beautiful Beginning combines lyrical storytelling and lovely art, blossoming into a celebration of self-love, friendship, and community. With beautiful simplicity and hidden depth, this meditative and magical picture book encourages young readers to discover their own endless potential. ~ Diverse – Preschool

Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood
by Tony Hillery

Harlem Grown tells the inspiring true story of how one man made a big difference in a neighborhood. After seeing how restless they were and their lack of healthy food options, Tony Hillery invited students from an underfunded school to turn a vacant lot into a functional farm. The kids turned an abandoned space into something beautiful and useful while learning about healthy, sustainable eating and collaboration. The author’s share of the proceeds from the sale of this book go directly to Harlem Grown. ~ African – Preschool

Are You Eating Candy without Me?
by Draga Jenny Malesevic

A diverse group of children ponders what the adults in their lives do during the day. Are they eating cake and ice cream while riding birthday ponies? Are they eating candy with other adults? After a series of hilariously illustrated and wildly imaginative scenarios, readers learn an important lesson: The adults who love them think about them constantly and are most definitely not eating candy without them. Or are they? Are You Eating Candy Without Me? is a fun picture book that lightheartedly explores the fear of missing out. ~ Diverse – Preschool

Me & Mama
by Cozbi A. Cabrera

“On a rainy day when the house smells like cinnamon and Papa and Luca are still asleep, when the clouds are wearing shadows and the wind paints the window with beads of water, I want to be everywhere Mama is.” This book is just too gorgeous for words! With lyrical prose and expressive illustrations, Mama and Me is a tender ode to the bond between a mother and a daughter as they spend a rainy day together. ~ African – Preschool

Over and Under the Rainforest
by Kate Messner

Part of the critically acclaimed Over and Under series, Over And Under The Rainforest takes readers on a thrilling tour of one of the most diverse ecosystems on planet earth. They will discover what lies hidden among the roots, above the winding rivers, and under the emerald leaves of the Central American rainforest, from parrots to monkeys, sloths, and more. Perfect for inquisitive little nature lovers! ~ Hispanic – Preschool

Also available: Over and Under the Pond // Over and Under the Snow

Rhythm Rescue
by Vicky Weber

Welcome to Music Metropolis, where there’s always a song to sing and instruments playing all around. Everyone has something special to share, but Beat Street is where the real magic happens. The musicians of Beat Street can do extraordinary things…with the power of music! When Tala’s day begins with a phone call from a friend, she is super excited…but she’ll need the reader’s help to make it there in time! Rhythm Rescue is an interactive musical adventure kids will love! ~ Diverse – Preschool

The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts
by Trudy Ludwig

“Acts and words of kindness DO count, and it all starts with ONE.” When a girl reaches out to a classmate who seems lonely, she begins a chain reaction of kindness that ripples throughout her school and her community. One kind act begets another, small good deeds make way for bigger ones, and eventually the whole neighborhood comes together to build something much greater than the sum of its parts. The Power of One not only conveys a message of kindness, it offers concrete steps that kids can take to make a difference in their own communities. ~ Diverse – Preschool

Elementary School

I Promise
by LeBron James

NBA champion LeBron James pens a slam-dunk picture book inspired by his foundation’s I PROMISE program that motivates children everywhere to always strive for greatness. With upbeat, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, instant bestseller I Promise is an inspiring picture book that reminds readers that tomorrow’s success starts with the promises we make to ourselves and our community today. ~ African – Elementary School

Also available as an audiobook, read by LeBron James’s mother and I Promise School supporter Gloria James

RESPECT: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul
by Carole Boston Weatherford

The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, Aretha Franklin’s musical talent was clear from her earliest days in her father’s Detroit church where her soaring voice spanned more than three octaves. Her string of hit songs earned her the title “the Queen of Soul,” multiple Grammy Awards, and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But Aretha didn’t just raise her voice in song, she also spoke out against injustice and fought for civil rights. Respect is a vibrant picture book biography that will captivate young readers with Aretha’s inspiring story. ~ African – Elementary School

A Journey Toward Hope
by Victor Hinojosa & Coert Voorhees

Every year, roughly 50,000 unaccompanied minors seek asylum at the US/Mexico border, the majority fleeing the systemic violence of Central America’s “Northern Triangle”: Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. A Journey Toward Hope is a heartfelt book that tells the story of Rodrigo, a 14-year-old Honduran; Alessandra, a 10-year-old Guatemalan; and Salvadoran siblings Laura and Nando. Though their reasons for making the trip are different, the four children band together, finding strength in one another as they share the dreams of their past and the hopes for their future. ~ Hispanic – Elementary School

Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon
by Simran Jeet Singh

“Every step forward is a victory.” Fauja Singh was born with legs that wouldn’t allow him to play cricket with his friends or carry him to school miles from his village in Punjab. But that didn’t stop him. At the age of 81, after a lifetime of making his body, mind, and heart stronger, Fauja decided to run his first marathon. He went on to break records all around the world and became the first person over 100 to complete the grueling long-distance race. Fauja Singh Keeps Going is an inspiring true story about determination and commitment. ~ Asian – Elementary School

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero
by Kelly J. Baptist

After his father’s death, 10-year-old Isaiah is struggling with being the man of the house. His little sister, Charlie, asks too many questions, and Mama’s gone totally silent. Good thing Isaiah can count on his best friend, Sneaky, who always has a scheme for getting around the rules. And when things get really tough, there’s Daddy’s journal, filled with stories about the amazing Isaiah Dunn, a superhero who gets his powers from beans and rice. Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about a loss, grief, and the love of poetry. ~ African – Elementary School

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice
by Nikki Grimes

As Kamala grew from a daughter of immigrants to a senator running for vice president, it was her long-fostered belief in freedom and justice for all people that shaped her into the inspiring figure she is today. From fighting for the use of a soccer field in middle school to fighting for the people of her home state in Congress, Harris used her voice to speak up for what she believed in and for those who were otherwise unheard. With expressive illustrations and stunning verse, Kamala Harris: Rooted In Justice will inspire young readers to stand up for justice. ~ African/Asian – Elementary School

Queen of Tejano Music: Selena
by Silvia Lopez

Born and raised in Texas, Selena Quintanilla didn’t know how to speak Spanish, but her dad taught her how to sing it. People said that she would never make it in male-dominated Tejano music, but Selena was determined to prove them wrong. With songs written and composed by her older brother and the fun dance steps Selena created, her band, Selena Y Los Dinos, rose to stardom. Selena: Queen of Tejano Music is a moving picture book about a true trailblazer who became an inspiration for Latina girls everywhere. ~ Hispanic – Elementary School

Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson’s Journey to the Stars
by Gary Golio

Born in 1897, Willie Johnson’s childhood was interrupted when he lost his mother and his sight. But with his powerful voice and the wailing of his slide guitar, Willie made a name for himself performing on street corners all over Texas. And one day he hit it big when he got a record deal and his songs were played on the radio. Dark Was The Night is a poignant story about the legendary Texas musician whose song was included on the Voyager I space probe’s Golden Record. ~ African – Elementary School

Nacho’s Nachos: The Story Behind the World’s Favorite Snack
by Sandra Nickel

Born in Mexico in 1895, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya loved to eat and cook. He went on to work as head waiter at the Victory Club, a popular restaurant in Piedras Negras, Mexico. One afternoon in 1940, four regulars from the US walked in wanting a snack–something new, something different. Nacho rushed to the kitchen and improvised with what was on hand: corn tortillas, cheddar cheese, and jalapeño peppers. Soon restaurants all over Mexico, the United States, and later the world, were serving nachos. With lively text and dynamic illustrations, Nacho’s Nachos tells the story of an inventive chef whose name has become a household word around the globe. ~ Hispanic – Elementary School

The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story
by Tina Cho

Dayeon wants to be a haenyeo (freediver) just like Grandma. The haenyeo dive off the coast of Jeju Island to pluck treasures from the sea–generations of Korean women have done so for centuries. To Dayeon, the haenyeo are as strong and graceful as mermaids. To give her strength, Dayeon eats Grandma’s abalone porridge. She practices holding her breath while they do the dishes. And when Grandma suits up for her next dive, Dayeon grabs her suit, flippers, and goggles. A scary memory of the sea keeps Dayeon clinging to the shore, but with Grandma’s guidance, Dayeon comes to appreciate the ocean’s many gifts. The Ocean Calls is a breathtaking picture book intergenerational bonds, finding courage in the face of fear, and connecting with our natural world. ~ Asian – Elementary School

Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano Julio C. Tello / Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello
by Monica Brown

Growing up in the late 1800s, indigenous Julio Tello spent time exploring the caves and burial grounds in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. Later, while in medical school, he discovered an article about the skulls he had found. The article renewed Julio’s interest in his ancestry, and he decided to devote his medical skills to the study of Peru’s Indigenous history. Over his lifetime, Julio Tello made many revolutionary discoveries at archaeological sites around Peru. Sharuko is a fascinating bilingual picture book about the archaeologist who unearthed Peru’s ancient cultures and fostered pride in the country’s Indigenous history. ~ Hispanic – Elementary School

Middle School

Finish the Fight!: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote
by Veronica Chambers

On the hundredth anniversary of the historic win for women’s right to vote, it’s time to celebrate the forgotten women of colour who were at the forefront of the fight for suffrage. With stunning portraits, Finish The Fight! features the biographies of fierce but forgotten women, from Yankton Dakota Sioux writer and advocate Zitkála-Šá, to Mary Eliza Church Terrell, who co-founded the National Association of Colored Women, and Mabel Ping-Hua Lee, who, at just sixteen years old, helped lead the biggest parade in history to promote the cause of suffrage. ~ Diverse – Middle School

A Place at the Table
by Saadia Fariqa & Laura Shovan

Sixth graders Sara (Pakistani American) and Elizabeth (White Jewish) meet at a cooking class that Sara is forced to attend because her mom is the teacher. Elizabeth takes the class because her mom is suffering form depression and has stopped cooking. The girls form an unlikely friendship that gradually deepens as they make plans to create the most amazing cross-cultural dish together and win a spot on a local food show. A Place At The Table is a timely and beautifully written story exploring themes of food, friendship, family and belonging. ~ Diverse – Middle School

Ikenga
by Nnedi Okorafor

When Nnamdi’s father, chief of Kalaria’s police, is murdered, people believe the Chief of Chief, most powerful of the criminals, is responsible. Nnamdi vows to avenge his father, but wonders what a 12-year-old boy can do. Until the gift of a magical object that enables super powers, and a charge to use those powers for good changes his life forever. Written by award-winning Nnedi Okorafor, acclaimed for her Akata novels, Ikenga introduces an engaging hero in her first middle grade novel, set against a richly textured background of contemporary Nigeria. ~ African – Middle School

Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story)
by Daniel Nayeri

In a classroom in Oklahoma, Khosrou (whom everyone calls “Daniel”) tries to tell his story. But no one believes a word he says. To his classmates he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny; who makes things up and talks about poop too much. But Khosrou’s stories stretch back years, decades and centuries — from the moment his family fled Iran with the secret police moments behind them, to the cement refugee camps of Italy, back to the fields near the river Aras, and further back still to the Jasmine-scented city of Isfahan. Everything Sad Is Untrue is a beautifully told and powerful story of hardship, loss and resilience. ~ Asian – Middle School

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears
by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Space-obsessed 12-year-old Paola Santiago and her two best friends, Emma and Dante, know the rule: Stay away from the river. It’s all they’ve heard since a schoolmate of theirs drowned a year ago. Even before that, Pao’s mother has been warning her about La Llorona, the wailing ghost woman who wanders the banks of the Gila at night, looking for young people to drag into its murky depths. Not believing her mother’s superstitions, Pao organizes a meet-up to test out her new telescope near the Gila, since it’s the best stargazing spot. But when Emma never arrives and Pao sees a shadowy figure in the reeds, it seems like maybe her mom was right. . . . Paola Santiago And The River Of Tears is a thrilling fantasy adventure based on the Mexican legend of La Llorona. ~ Hispanic – Middle School

High School

Raybearer
by Jordan Ifueko

Tarisai was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. Her mother sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince. Raybearer is an epic fantasy story of loyalty, fate, and the lengths we’re willing to go for the ones we love. ~ African – High School

Darius the Great Deserves Better
by Adib Khorram

Since Darius’s trip to Iran, he’s been getting along with his dad, and his best friend Sohrab is only a Skype call away. Between his first boyfriend, Landon, varsity soccer practices, and an internship at his favourite tea shop, things seem to be falling into place. It’s everything he’s ever wanted–but what if he deserves better? Darius The Great Deserves Better is the follow-up to the award-winning Darius the Great Is Not Okay.~ Asian – High School

The Black Kids
by Christina Hammonds Reed

As the 1992 Rodney King riots engulf LA, senior student Ashley Bennett tries to continue as if life were normal. Even as her self-destructive sister gets dangerously involved in the riots. Even as the model Black family façade her wealthy and prominent parents have built starts to crumble. Even as her best friends help spread a rumor that could completely derail the future of her classmate and fellow Black kid, LaShawn Johnson. With her world splintering around her, Ashley, along with the rest of LA, is left to question who is the us? And who is the them? The Black Kids is a brilliant coming-of-age novel that explores issues of race, class, and violence. ~ African – High School

Now That I’ve Found You
by Kristina Forest

18-year-old Evie Jones acting career is on the line when a close friend’s betrayal gets her blacklisted. She tries to save her career through a public appearance with her famous grandma, Gigi. But days before Evie is scheduled to present her with an honorary award in front of Hollywood’s elite, Gigi disappears. Evie enlists the help of the last person to see Gigi before she vanished: Milo Williams, a cute musician Evie isn’t sure she can trust. Now That I’ve Found You is a charming YA novel about searching for answers, love, and your eccentric grandma in all the wrong places. ~ African – High School

Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From
by Jennifer De Leon

First-generation American Latinx Liliana Cruz does what it takes to fit in at her new nearly all-white school. But when family secrets spill out and racism at school ramps up, she must decide what she believes in and take a stand. Don’t Ask Me Where I Am From is a thought-provoking yet humorous story about race, identity, friendship and belonging. ~ Hispanic – High School

Lobizona (Wolves of No World 1)
by Romina Garber

As an undocumented immigrant who’s on the run from her father’s Argentine crime-family, Manuela Azul is confined to a small apartment and a small life in Miami, Florida. But then her surrogate grandmother is attacked, lifelong lies are exposed, and her mother is arrested by ICE. Without a home, without answers, and finally without shackles, Manu investigates the only clue she has about her past―a mysterious “Z” emblem―which leads her to a secret world buried within our own. Lobizona takes readers on an adventure into a magical world. ~ Hispanic – High School

More Than Just a Pretty Face
by Syed M. Masood

Danyal Jilani is funny, gorgeous, and going to make a great chef one day. His father doesn’t approve of his career choice, but the only opinion that matters to Danyal is that of his longtime crush, the perfect-in-all-ways Kaval, and her family, who consider him a less than ideal arranged marriage prospect. When Danyal gets selected for Renaissance Man, a school-wide academic championship, it’s the perfect opportunity to show everyone he’s smarter than they think. Danyal recruits the brilliant, totally-uninterested-in-him Bisma to help with the competition, but the more time he spends with her, the more he realizes that happiness may be staring him right in his pretty face. More Than Just A Pretty Face is a sweet and funny debut novel about family expectations and falling in love. ~ Asian – High School