Reading stories together can be a great way to learn about racism and equality. The books on this list will help you and your child explore race, identity, family and community.
0-3 years
Whose Toes are Those by Jabari Asim (Little, Brown & Company)
This interactive board book celebrates the classic giggle-inspiring game of This Little Piggy. The whimsical illustrations hide the little girl's face until the final climactic spread.
Baby Says by John Steptoe (Harper Festival)
After repeatedly trying to get his big brother's attention, Baby finally gets what he wants--but not before a few silly, giggle-inducing incidents occur!
So Much by Trish Cooke (Walker Books)
Mum and baby are home alone when – DING DONG! – Auntie and then Uncle and Nannie and Gran-Gran and the cousins come to visit. And they all want to hug and kiss and squeeze and eat the baby right up ... because everybody loves the baby SO MUCH!
B is for Baby by Atinuke (Walker Books)
Baby's brother is getting ready to take a basket of bananas all the way to Baba's bungalow in the next village. What he doesn't realise is that his baby sister is secretly coming along for the bicycle ride, too!
Count to Love by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Scholastic US)
Count to love on fingers and toes. 1-2-3-4, touch your nose! Snuggle up with your little one to celebrate the sweetest love.
3-5 years
Fruits by Valerie Bloom (Pan Macmillan)
How much fruit do you think one small girl can manage to eat in one day? Count from one to ten and learn the names of some Caribbean fruits, and find out what happens after eating a cocktail of mangoes, bananas and more in this Caribbean counting poem.
Mira's curly Hair by Maryam al Serkal (Lantana Publishing)
It curls at the front. It curls at the back. It curls everywhere! She wants it to be straight and smooth, just like her Mama's. But then something unpredictable happens... A delightful celebration of natural hair and the courage it takes to be yourself.
I am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes (Farshore)
I am a non-stop ball of energy. Powerful and full of light. I am a go-getter. A difference-maker. A leader. Step inside the mind of the confident narrator of this book. He is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He's got big plans, and will see them through. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. So, slow down, look and listen as he shows you who he really is …
Full Full Full of Love by Trish Cooke (Walker Books)
A celebration of family time, sharing food together, and a Grandma's hug full, full, full of love. For Jay Jay, the youngest member of an exuberant extended family, Sunday dinner at Grannie’s can be full indeed!
The Mega Magic Hair Swap by Rochelle Humes (Studio Press)
Two friends. One wish. Mai and Rose want to swap hair. However, they soon learn that perfect hair is not everything it's cracked up to be.
Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall (Walker Books)
Jabari is inventing a machine that will fly all the way across the yard! But making it go from CRASH to WHOOSH will take grit, patience, and maybe even a little help from his sister.
