Ten Deliciously Diverse Kids Books Perfect for Holiday Gifts

Hello Meltingpot Readers,

I have a confession to make. I very rarely buy anything online. I’m old school and still enjoy going to shops to purchase everything, from electronics to clothing. I like being surrounded by real people and touching the products I’m about to purchase. Yes, I am the lady squeezing the produce in the grocery story and reading the first chapter of every book at the bookstore before I buy. But I realize I am a dying breed. Even my 70-year-old mother loves online shopping and talks about Amazon like Jeff Bezos is her best friend.

I don’t begrudge others their preference for online shopping though. And if that’s the way you roll, you might as well take advantage of opportunities like Cyber Monday. So, I wanted to provide you, dear readers, with a list of really good, diverse kids books with multicultural characters you might want to buy for holiday presents. Most of these titles are new or newer and I’ve included options for little kids up to teens. Of course, if you’re like me, you don’t have to wait for the holidays to gift a good book, especially ones as deliciously meltingpot as the options below.

I love diverse books! Don’t you?

Ten Diverse Kids Books to Buy on Cyber Monday

Picture Books
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson – A beautiful picture book that celebrates the uniqueness of being you.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes – A young Black boy revels in the love and lessons at the barber shop.

When the Cousins Came by Katie Yamasaki – A young girl learns that you don’t have to be the same to still have fun with your cousins. Bonus, the story features a multiracial Asian & Black family.

Picture Books for Older Kids

Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World by Vashti Harrison – From Frida Kahlo to Sister Rosetta Tharp, this book introduces young readers to some badass creative women from all around the world.

First Generation: 36 Trailblazing Immigrants and Refugees Who Make America Great by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace – A really great illustrated collection of immigrant stories that will leaving you wanting to send a copy to the White House stat!

Middle Grade Goodness
Zora and Me:The Cursed Ground by T.R. Simon – A riveting, fictionalized version of author Zora Neale Hurston’s childhood – part mystery, part history lesson – that is the second in a series. “Stunning,” “compelling,” and “powerful,” are the words critics are using to describe this latest offering by Simon.

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly – A fun and unique story about friendship that happens to feature different multicultural characters. FYI, Hello, Universe won the Newberry Medal earlier this year.

YA Reads

Pride by Ibi Zoboi – Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is masterfully retold with Afro-Latinx and African-American protagonists and a Brooklyn setting. It doesn’t get more meltingpot than this!

Here to Stay by Sara Farizan – An Iranian American teen finds himself the center of attention after a winning shot on the basketball court. But his newfound popularity comes with some drawbacks, including cyberbullying. Humorous and extremely timely, this book is a great option for male readers, although girls will love it too.

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith – It’s hard to find YA reads with Native American protagonists that aren’t about tragedy and life on the reservation. While the main character is Native American and has to deal with ignorance about her culture and fallout for dating a white boy, at its heart, this is YA romance at its best.

And there you have it. My list of diverse kids books to buy on Cyber Monday (or any other day). Let me know if you have any other suggestions for me because we all know that the world could always use more diverse books for children. I’m totally listening and taking notes.

Peace!