People today like to throw around the word diversity.  Diversity in the workplace. Diverse student bodies.  For years, companies, schools, sports teams, etc. have been trying to encourage diversity and develop a multicultural atmosphere.  But, let’s be honest, doesn’t some of it seem a little forced?  No one expected racial barriers to collapse overnight, but there should be a point when the acceptance of all walks of life becomes natural.  Well, one way to accelerate natural acceptance is through the use of children’s books.

A child’s mind is like a sponge fresh out of the package; it’ll absorb anything you drop on it.  At such a young age, children haven’t been exposed to a whole lot.  So, they’ll believe just about anything you tell them.  And, well, if they see it in a book, it must be true, right?

Children’s book publishers know how vital their products are to the development of a child.  Granted, reading, in general, is vital to anyone’s development, but extra care needs to be taken when dealing with children’s books.  While a child’s mind is like a sponge, it also moves a mile-per- second.  Stories need to engage a child’s mind, and once they’re involved with the story, authors can work towards incorporating messages.  And, these messages don’t have to be over-the-top.  By introducing children to the different colors of the world, they’ll get the idea that not everyone is like them.  Minority book publishers have been striving to get these messages across, and in recent years, they’ve seen success.  Here are a few book suggestions that you might consider introducing to your child.

The Can Man by Laura Williams

This book tells the story of a young boy who, inspired by his neighborhood’s “the can man”, collects empty soda cans to save up for a skateboard.

Only One Year by Andrea Cheng

Di Di is confused when her two-year-old brother goes to China for a year in order to be cared for by their grandparents.  She misses him a ton, but after a while thinks of him less often. Once he returns, she realizes that family bonds are stronger than she thought and they re-unite.

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace by Jen Cullerton Johnson

This story focuses on the life of a young Kenyan woman, Wangari.  Wangari is lucky enough to get an education, and then uses that education and her affinity for nature to improve conditions for women and plants across her country.

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