Want to teach your child the importance of diversity? Check out these children’s books about acceptance and embracing our unique traits.
Kids notice the slightest details about others. From the way a person looks, walks, talks and acts, they learn the differences that separate us. They also mention the obvious, even things that may be socially inappropriate.
But rather than see these traits as divisions, we should celebrate them instead, both in others and in ourselves. Answer with the truth when they ask about other people’s differences, speaking to their level.
For instance, if your child notices her classmate’s different-colored skin, don’t shush her. (That will make it seem like a bad thing, a taboo.) Instead, say, “I know, isn’t she beautiful?”
And sometimes it’s our own kids who are different. Maybe your child longs to fit in with her friends, but for whatever reason can’t seem to. Perhaps she isn’t into the same things as other kids her age and you wonder if that’s okay. Or she might even have different abilities that stand out from the crowd.
Reading children’s books about acceptance can help you discuss these issues on a level she can understand.
Looking After Louis illustrate a girl’s experience with meeting her autistic classmate. Giraffes Can’t Dance and Perfectly Norman introduce us to characters who don’t fit into their crowd. And Whoever You Are reminds us that, despite our different upbringings, we share the same sentiments.
These children’s books about acceptance — of others and ourselves — will us welcome and respect all people.
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Children’s books about acceptance
Free to Be Elephant Me by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees
Our Skin by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Isabel Roxas
Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
We Are All Equal by P. Crumble
Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival
What Makes Us Unique? by Dr. Jillian Roberts
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor
My Cousin Momo by Zachariah OHora
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
Calvin Can’t Fly by Jennifer Berne
The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill
Looking after Louis by Lesley Ely
The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore
Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch
Willow by Denise Brennan Nelson
It’s Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr
Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Jennifer Wojtowicz
Read these next:
- Why We Need to Encourage Our Children’s Interests—Even when They Seem Strange to Us
- On Accepting Your Children for Who They Are
- How to Help Your Sad Child Handle Their Feelings
- Why We Need to Stop Telling Boys to “Man Up”
- How to Discipline a Child with Autism
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Do you have any suggestions of good Nonfiction books with this theme?
Unfortunately I don’t have any that deal specifically about acceptance but you’ve definitely piqued my curiosity and I’m now on the search for some!