Reading Themes -> Picture Books -> Multicultural

This bibliography contains the following lists of books: Stories about All Kinds of People; Stories with African & African American Characters, Stories with Asian Characters, Stories with Eskimo (Inuit) & Native American Indian Characters and Stories with Hispanic Characters. These lists do not include Folklore and Fairytale titles.

Stories about All Kinds of Cultures!

Angelou, Maya. MAYA’S WORLD Series.

Enjoy this series that celebrates how kids around the world are more alike than different.

ANGELINA OF ITALY. [Picture Book AN]
MIKALE OF HAWAII. [Picture Book AN]
RENEE MARIE OF FRANCE. [Picture Book AN]
IZAK OF LAPLAND.  [Picture Book AN]

Bliss, Corinne Demas. LITTLEST MATRYOSHKA. [Picture Book BL]
Nina, the smallest of a group of Russian nesting dolls, is separated from her sisters and swept along on a dangerous journey that eventually brings her back home.

Dooley, Norah. EVERYBODY BAKES BREAD. [Picture Book DO]
A rainy-day errand introduces Carrie to many different kinds of people and the breads they bake, including chapattis, challah, and pupusas.

English, Karen. NADIA’S HANDS. [Picture Book EN]
A Pakistani-American girl takes part in her aunt's traditional Pakistani wedding.

Fleming, Candace. GABRIELLA’S SONG. [Picture Book FL]
Among the winding canals of Venice, something wonderful is happening! There’s a sweet song on everyone’s lips – a song that began with a little girl named Gabriella.

Fox, Mem. WHOEVER YOU ARE. [Picture Book FO]
Despite the differences between people around the world, there are similarities that join us together, such as pain, joy, and love.

Gilmore, Rachna. GIFT FOR GITA. [Picture Book GI]
Gita’s family has emigrated from India and has made a happy home in the United States. Then, Gita’s father his offered a good job back in India, and family members have varied reactions.

Good, Merle. Buckley. REUBEN AND THE QUILT. [Picture Book GO]
Reuben and his Amish family make a beautiful Log Cabin quilt to raise money for a sick neighbor, but then it is stolen before they can take it to auction.

Hamanaka, Sheila. ALL THE COLORS OF THE EARTH. [Picture Book HA]
Children come in all the colors of the earth, in every shade of you and me. With soaring text and majestic art, this story celebrates the dazzling diversity of children laughing, loving and glowing with life.

Harter, Debbie. ANIMAL BOOGIE. [Picture Book HA]
In the jungle, the animals' toes are twitching, their bodies are wiggling, and their wings are flapping --as they teach a barrage of multicultural children how to do the Animal Boogie.

Hoffman, Mary. COLOR OF HOME. [Picture Book HO]
Hassan, newly arrived in the United States and feeling homesick, paints a picture at school of his old home in Somalia.

Katz, Karen. COLORS OF US. [Picture Book KA]
Seven-year-old Lena and her mother observe the variations in the color of their friends' skin, viewed in terms of foods and things found in nature.

Knight, Margy Burns. WELCOMING BABIES. [Picture Book KN]
This story is a vibrant and tender celebration of life and diversity. As children and adults explore the welcoming of babies from all over the world, they can share their stories about their own welcoming, their traditions and their cultures.

Lamstein, Sarah. I LIKE YOUR BUTTONS. [Picture Book LA]
When a little girl compliments her teacher about the buttons on her outfit, it starts a chain reaction of goodwill, good deeds, and thoughtfulness throughout the day amongst a multicultural cast of characters.

McDonald,Megan. BAYA, BAYA, LULLA-BY-A. [Picture Book MC]
The baya bird of India weaves its nest of grasses and flowers. In this dramatic yet lulling lullaby of a book, such a bird also saves a baby girl’s life.

Nivola, Claire. ELISABETH. [Picture Book NI]
Forced to flee the Nazis, a young girl and her family eventually end up in the United States, where, years later, with a young daughter of her own, she is improbably reunited with the beloved doll she left behind in Germany.

Nye, Naomi Shihab . SITTI’S SECRETS. [Picture Book NY]
A girl describes a visit to see her grandmother in a Palestinian village on the West Bank.

Polacco, Patricia. CHICKEN SUNDAY. [Picture Book PO]
To thank old Eula for her wonderful Sunday chicken dinners a group of thoughtful multicultural children sell decorated eggs and buy her a beautiful Easter hat.

Polacco, Patricia. JUST PLAIN FANCY. [Picture Book PO]
Naomi, an Amish girl whose elders have impressed upon her the importance of adhering to the simple ways of her people, is surprised when one of her hen eggs hatches into an extremely fancy bird.

Polacco, Patricia. KEEPING QUILT. [Picture Book PO]
A homemade quilt ties together the lives of four generations of an immigrant Jewish family, remaining a symbol of their enduring love and faith.

Polacco, Patricia. MRS. KATZ and TUSH. [Picture Book PO]
A long-lasting friendship develops between Larnel, a young African-American, and Mrs. Katz, a lonely, Jewish widow, when Larnel presents Mrs. Katz with a scrawny kitten without a tail.

Simon, Norma. ALL KINDS OF CHILDREN. [JE 305.235 S Early Nonfiction]
Presents things that children all over the world have in common.

Stojic, Manya. HELLO WORLD! GREETINGS IN 42 LANGUAGES AROUND THE GLOBE. [Picture Book ST]
Discover a world of ways to say, “Hello!”.

Wilkowski, Susan. BABY’S BRIS. [Picture Book WI]
Sophie becomes a big sister and, during the first eight days of her brother's life, learns about the custom of bris (circumcision) and celebrates the event with her family and new brother Ben.

Williams, Vera. MORE, MORE, MORE SAID THE BABY. [Picture Book WI]
Three adorable multicultural babies, Little Guy, Little Pumpkin and Little Bird, are caught up in the air and given loving attention by a father, grandmother and mother.

Stories with African and African-American Characters

Adoff, Arnold. BLACK IS BROWN IS TAN. [Picture Book AD]
Describes in verse a family with a brown-skinned mother, white skinned father, two children and various relatives.

Battle-Lavert, Gwendolyn . PAPA’S MARK. [Picture Book BA]
After his son helps him learn to write his name, Samuel T. Blow goes to the courthouse in his Southern town to cast his ballot on the first election day ever on which African Americans were allowed to vote.

Bearden, Romare. LI’L DAN THE DRUMMER BOY: A CIVIL WAR STORY.  [Picture Book BE]
When a company of black Union soldiers tells Li’l Dan that he is no longer a slave, he follows them, and uses his beloved drum to save them from attack. Includes a CD of the story read by Maya Angelou.

Belton, Sandra . BEAUTY, HER BASKET. [Picture Book BE]
While visiting her grandmother in the Sea Islands, a young girl hears about her African heritage and learns to weave a sea grass basket.

Belton, Sandra . PICTURES FOR MISS JOSIE. [Picture Book BE]
This remarkable picture book tells the story of Josphine Carroll Smith and the special friendship she forges with a young artist.

Best, Cari. RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT, MAMA AND ME. [Picture Book BE]
After taking the train downtown, Lizzie spends the day at the public library, helping her mother who is a children's librarian.

Brown, Margaret Wise. BABY ANIMALS. [Picture Book BR]
Relates the morning, noon and evening activities of several young animals and a little girl.

Buckley, Helen E. GRANDFATHER AND I. [Picture Book BU]
A child considers how Grandfather is the perfect person to spend time with because he is never in a hurry.

Collier, Bryan. UPTOWN. [Picture Book CO]
Vibrant illustrations enhance this bright introductory to the people and places of Harlem as seen and experienced by a young boy from the community.

Cooke, Trish . FULL, FULL, FULL OF LOVE. [Picture Book CO]
For young Jay Jay, Sunday dinner at his Gran’s house is full of hugs and kisses, tasty dishes, happy faces and love.

Daly, Niki . ONCE UPON A TIME. [Picture Book DA]
Sarie struggles when she reads aloud in her South African school, but then she and a friend, Auntie Anna, find a book about Cinderella and begin to read together.

English, Karen . HOT DAY ON ABBOTT AVENUE. [Picture Book EN]
After having a fight, two friends spend the day ignoring each other, until the lure of a game of jump rope helps them to forget about being mad.

English, Karen. JUST RIGHT STEW. [Picture Book EN]
Before Mama arrives for dinner, her daughters are desperate to make oxtail stew, her favorite dish, and make it right now.

Fields, Julia. GREEN LION OF ZION STREET. [Picture Book FI]
The stone lion on Zion Street, proud and fierce, instills fear and admiration in those who see it in the cold city fog.

Greenfield, Eloise. GRANDPA’S FACE. [Picture Book GR]
Seeing her beloved grandfather making a mean face while he rehearses for one of his plays, Tamika becomes afraid that someday she will lose his love and he will make that mean face at her.

Grifalconi, Ann. DARKNESS AND THE BUTTERFLY. [Picture Book GR]
Small Osa is fearless during the day, climbing trees or exploring the African valley where she lives, but at night she becomes afraid of the strange things that might lie in the dark.

Harrington, Janice . GOING NORTH. [Picture Book HA]
A young African American girl and her family leave their home in Alabama and head for Nebraska, where they hope to escape segregation and find a better life.

Hatfield, Claire. ME AND UNCLE ROMIE. [Picture Book HA]
A boy spends the summer in New York City visiting the neighborhood of Harlem, where his uncle, collage artist, Romare Bearden, grew up.

Hayes, Sarah. EAT UP, GEMMA. [Picture Book HA]
Baby Gemma refuses to eat, throwing her breakfast on the floor and squashing her grapes, until her brother gets an inspired idea.

Hearth, Amy. DELANY SISTERS REACH HIGH. [Picture Book HE]
True story of two remarkable African-American women.

Hest, Amy. MR JOE BAKER. [Picture Book HE]
Harry sits on the porch with Mr. George Baker, an African American who is one hundred years old but can still dance and play the drums, waiting for the school bus that will take them both to the class where they are learning to read.

Hoffman, Mary. AMAZING GRACE. [Picture Book HO]
Although a classmate says that she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because she is black, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to. [Sequel: Boundless Grace. Grace is invited for a visit with her father and his new family in Africa]

Hopkinson, Deborah. BAND OF ANGELS: A STORY INSPIRED BY THE JUBILEE SINGERS. [Picture Book HO]
The daughter of a slave forms a gospel singing group and goes on tour to raise money to save for Fisk University.

Hopkinson, Deborah. UNDER THE QUILT OF NIGHT. [Picture Book HO]
A young girl flees from the farm where she has been worked as a slave and uses the Underground Railroad to escape to freedom in the north.

Howard, Elizabeth Fitzgerald. AUNT FLOSSIE’S HATS (AND CRAB CAKES LATER). [Picture Book HO]
Sara and Susan share tea, cookies, crab cakes, and stories about hats when they visit their favorite relative, Aunt Flossie.

Isadora, Rachel. PEEKABOO MORNING. [Picture Book IS]
A toddler plays peekaboo throughout the day.

Johnson, James Weldon. LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING: THE NEGRO NATIONAL ANTHEM. [Picture Book JO]
A Black-and-white photographs accompany this version of the song that has come to be considered the African American national anthem.

Jonas, Ann. QUILT. [Picture Book JO]
A child’s new patchwork quilt recalls old memories and provides new adventures at bedtime.

Keats, Ezra Jack. SNOWY DAY. [Picture Book KE]
Young Peter can’t wait to jump into his snowsuit and run out to explore a world of snowy white.

Kurtz, Jane . FARAWAY HOME. [Picture Book KU]
Desta’s father, who needs to return briefly to his Ethiopian homeland, describes what it was like for him to grow up there. 

McKissack, Patricia. GOIN’ SOMEPLACE SPECIAL. [Picture Book MC]
In segregated 1950s Nashville, a young African-American girl braves a series of indignities and obstacles to get to the one of the few integrated places in town – the public library.

McKissack, Pat. MIRANDY AND BROTHER WIND. [Picture Book MC]
To win first prize in the Junior Cakewalk, Mirandy tries to capture the wind for her partner.

McKissack, Pat. MILLION FISH . . . MORE OR LESS. [Picture Book MC]
A boy learns that the truth is often stretched on the Bayou Clapateaux, and gets the chance to tell his own version of a bayou tale when he goes fishing.

McKissack, Pat. FLOSSIE AND THE FOX. [Picture Book MC]
A wily fox notorious for stealing eggs meets his match when he encounters a bold little girl in the woods who insists upon proof that he is a fox before she will be frightened.

Morrow, Barbara . GOOD NIGHT FOR FREEDOM. [Picture Book MO]
Hallie discovers two runaway slaves and must decide whether to turn them in, or help them escape to freedom.

Nelson, Vaunda . ALMOST TO FREEDOM. [Picture Book NE]
Tells the story of a young girl's dramatic escape from slavery via the Underground Railroad, from the perspective of her beloved rag doll.

Nolan, Jerdine , HEWITT ANDERSON’S GREAT BIG LIFE. [Picture Book NO]
When a tiny Hewitt is born into a family of giants, everyone learns that sometimes small is the best of all.

Pinkney, Brian. MAX FOUND TWO STICKS. [Picture Book PI]
Although he doesn’t feel like talking, a young boy responds to questions by drumming on various objects, including a bucket, hatboxes, and garbage cans and so begins a young boy’s introduction to the joys of making music.

Pinkney, Sandra L. SHADES OF BLACK: A CELEBRATION OF OUR BLACK CHILDREN. [Picture Book PI]
Photographs and poetic text celebrate the beauty and diversity of African American children.

Pringle, Laurence. OCTOPUS HUG. [Picture Book PI]
When mom goes out for the evening, dad and the kids invent games filled with fun and laughter, and they all learn how to give an octopus hug.

Ransom, Candice. LIBERTY STREET. [Picture Book RA]
Young Kezia is a slave, living in nineteenth-century Fredericksburg, Virginia, until her mother helps her escape.

Raven, Margot Theis. CIRCLE UNBROKEN: THE STORY OF A BASKET AND ITS PEOPLE. [Picture Book RA]
A grandmother tells the tale of the Gullahs and their beautiful sweetgrass baskets that keep their African heritage alive.

Ringgold, Faith. TAR BEACH. [Picture Book RI]
A young girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home, claiming all she sees for herself and her family. Based on the author’s quilt painting of the same name.

Ryan, Pam Munoz. WHEN MARIAN SANG. [Picture Book RY]
An introduction to the life of Marian Anderson, extraordinary singer and first African American to perform with the Metropolitan Opera.

Schroeder, Alan. CAROLINA SHOUT. [Picture Book SC]
A young girl describes the music she hears in the cries of various vendors on the streets of Charleston, South Carolina.

Schroeder, Alan. RAGTIME TUMPIE. [Picture Book SC]
Tumpie, a young girl who will later become famous as the dancer Josephine Baker, longs to find the opportunity to dance.

Seeger, Pete. ABIYOYO: BASED ON A SOUTH AFRICAN LULLABY AND FOLK STORY. [Picture Book SE]
Banished from the town for making mischief, a little boy and his father are welcomed back when they find a way to make the dreaded giant Abiyoyo disapper.

Shange, Ntozake. ELLINGTON WAS NOT A STREET. [Picture Book SH]
A lyrical tribute to African-American history.

Siegelson, Kim. DANCING THE RING SHOUT. [Picture Book SI]
It is the first year that Toby is old enough to attend the Ring Shout, a celebration when the hard work of harvest is done, but he cannot find an object that makes a noise that will speak from his heart to God's ears.

Sisulu, Elinor Batezat. DAY GOGO WENT TO VOTE. [Picture Book SI]
Thembi and her beloved great-grandmother, who has not left the house for many years. Go together to vote on the momentous day when black South Africans are allowed to vote for the first time.

Smith, Will. JUST THE TWO OF US. [Picture Book SM]
Celebrates the dignity, integrity, and honor of being a father.

Steptoe, John. BABY SAYS. [Picture Book ST]
A little boy figures out how to get along with his baby brother.

Stock, Catherine. GUGU’S HOUSE. [Picture Book ST]
Kukamba loves helping her grandmother decorate her mud home in a dusty Zimbabwe village, but when the annual rains partially destroy all her art work, Kukamba learns to see the goodness of the rains.

Tarpley, Natasha. BIPPITY BOP BARBERSHOP. [Picture Book TA]
A story celebrating a young African-American boy’s first trip to the barbershop.

Tarpley, Natasha. I LOVE MY HAIR! [Picture Book TA]
A young African-American girls describes the different and wonderful ways she can wear her hair.

Weatherford, Carole Boston. FREEDOM ON THE MENU: THE GREENSBORO SIT-INS. [Picture Book WE]
A portrait of the 1960 civil rights sit-ins at the Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greesboro, North Carolina, as seen through the eyes of a young Southern black girl.

Wiles, D. FREEDOM SUMMER. [Picture Book WI]
In 1964, Joe is pleased that a new law will allow his best friend John Henry, who is colored, to share the town pool and other public places with him, but he is dismayed to find that prejudice still exists.

Williams, Karen. GALIMOTO. [Picture Book WI]
Walking through his village, a young African boy finds the materials to make a special toy.

Williams, Sherley. WORKING COTTON. [Picture Book WI]
A young black girl relates the daily events of her family’s migrant life in the cotton fields of central California.

Winter, Jeanette. FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD. [Picture Book WI]
An old solider named Peg Leg Jo teaches slaves a special song that will guide them to freedom along the underground railroad.

Woodson, Jacqueline. COMING ON HOME SOON. [Picture Book WO]
Staying with Grandma while Mama takes a job in Chicago during World War II, Ada Ruth missed her mother, who loves her more than rain and snow.

Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL. [Picture Book WY]
When she goes looking for “something beautiful” in her city neighborhood, a young girl finds beauty in many different forms. 

Young, Ruth. GOLDEN BEAR. [Picture Book YO]
Golden Bear and the little boy who loves him learn to play the violin, talk to a ladybug, make mud pies, wish on stars and dream together.

Zolotow, Charlotte. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I’LL DO? [Picture Book ZO]
A little girl delights her brother with a series of promises about all the wonderful tings she’ll do to make him happy as they both grow up.

Stories with Asian Characters

Baker, Keith. MAGIC FAN. [Picture Book BA]
Guided by a magic fan, Yoshi builds a boat to catch the moon, a kite to reach the clouds, and a bridge that saves the villagers from a tidal wave.

Bang, Molly. PAPER CRANE. [Picture Book BA]
A myserious man enters a restaurant and pays for his dinner with a paper crane that magically comes alive and dances bringing people together from miles around to see this marvelous sight.

Bercaw, Edna Coe. HALMONI’S DAY. [Picture Book BE]
Jennifer, a Korean American, is worried that her grandmother, visiting from Korea, will embarrass her on her school's Grandparents' Day, but the event brings her understanding and acceptance.

Berger, Barbara. LOT OF OTTERS. [Picture Book BE]
As a lot of otters wrestle, roll and play on the water, they make such a commotion of light that Mother Moon finds her lost child.

Bridges, Shirin. RUBY’S WISH. [Picture Book BR]
In China, at a time when few girls are taught to read or write, Ruby dreams of going to university with her brothers.

Chen, Chih-Yuan. ON MY WAY TO BUY EGGS. [Picture Book CH]
In Taiwan, a young girl on her way to buy eggs for dinner’s fried rice takes the reader on a journey filled with adventure and imaginings.

Cheng, Andrea. GRANDFATHER COUNTS. [Picture Book CH]
When her grandfather comes from China, Helen, who is biracial, develops a special bond with him despite their age and language differences.

Chinn, Karen. SAM AND THE LUCKY MONEY. [Holiday Picture Book CH]
Sam must decide how to spend the lucky money he’s received from Chinese New Year.

Choi, Yangsook. NAME JAR. [Picture Book CH]
After Unhei moves from Korea to the United States, her new classmates help her decide what her name should be. In the process, her classmates learn about the special meaning of Korean names, and Unhei decides she loves her name best.

Compestine, Y. STORY OF CHOPSTICKS. [Picture Book CO]
When Kùai cannot get enough to eat, he begins using sticks to grab food too hot for the hands, and soon all of China uses Kùai zi, or chopsticks.

Compestine, Ying Chang. STORY OF KITES. [Picture Book CO]
Long ago in China, three brothers become tired of chasing birds from their family’s rice fields and experiment with ways to make the job easier. 

Gelman, Rita Golden. RICE IS LIFE. [Picture Book GE]
Text and illustrations demonstrate the importance of rice to life on the island of Bali in the country of Indonesia, where rice is consumed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Hall, Bruce Edward. HENRY AND THE KITE DRAGON. [Picture Book HA]
In New York City in the 1920s, the children from Chinatown go after the children from Little Italy for throwing rocks at the beautiful kits Grandfather Chin makes, not realizing the Italian children have a reason for being upset about the kites.

Lee, Huy Voun. 1, 2, 3, GO! [Alphabet/Counting Picture Book LE]
An introduction to Chinese writing describing the construction, meaning, and pronunciation of simple characters used for a variety of words and the numbers one through ten.

Lewin, Ted. BIG JIMMY’S KUM KAU CHINESE TAKE-OUT. [Picture Book LE]
The sights, sounds, and smells of a busy Chinese take-out restaurant are seen through the eyes of the owner’s young son.

Lewis, Rose. I LOVE YOU LIKE CRAZY CAKES. [Picture Book LE]
A woman describes how she went to China to adopt a special baby girl.

Linn, Grace. DIM SUM FOR EVERYONE! [Picture Book LI]
A child describes the various little dishes of dim sum that she and her family enjoy on a visit to a restaurant in Chinatown.

Linn, Grace. UGLY VEGETABLES. [Picture Book LI]
A little girl thinks her mother’s garden is the ugliest in the neighborhood until she discovers that flowers might look and smell pretty but Chinese vegetable soup smells best of all.

Look, Lenore. HENRY’S FIRST-MOON BIRTHDAY. [Picture Book LO]
A young girl helps her grandmother with preparations for the traditional Chinese celebration to welcome her new baby brother.

Mannis, Celeste. ONE LEAF RIDES THE WIND. [Alphabet/Counting Picture Book MA]
A young girl walks through a Japanese garden and discovers many delights, from one leaf to ten stone lanterns.

Park, Frances. GOOD-BYE, 382 SHIN DANG DONG. [Picture Book PA]
Jangmi finds it hard to say good-bye to relatives and friends and her beautiful life in Korea, when her family moves to America.

Park, Linda Sue. FIREKEEPER’S SON. [Picture Book PA]
In early 19^th century Korea, after Sang-hee’s father injures his ankle. Sand-hee attempts to take over the task of lighting the evening fire, which signals to the palace that all is well.

Recorvits, Helen. MY NAME IS YOON. [Picture Book RE]
Disliking her name written in English, Korean-born Yoon, or ‘Shining Wisdom’, refers to herself as ‘cat’, ‘bird’, and ‘cupcake’ as a way to feel more comfortable in her new country and school.

Roome, Diana Reynolds. ELEPHANT’S PILLOW. [Picture Book RO]
Sing Lo, a wealthy boy living in Peking, goes to visit the late emperor’s Imperial Elephant and tries to cheer him up. 

Roth, Susan. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. KANG. [Picture Book RO]
Mr. Kang loves his caged Chinese bird Hua Mei, but when his seven-year-old grandson Sam persuades him to give the bird his freedom they get a surprise.

Say, Alan. GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY. [Picture Book SA]
A Japanese American man recounts his grandfather’s journey to American which he later also undertakes, and the feelings of being torn by a love for two different countries.

Say, Alan. TREE OF CRANES. [Picture Book SA]
A Japanese boy learns of Christmas when his mother decorates a pine tree with paper cranes.

Schaefer, Carole Lexa. SOMEONE SAYS. [Picture Book SC]
A day at preschool has children leaping as frogs, dancing like ponies, flapping wings like birds and all the things that children dream. 

Thong, Roseanne. ROUND IS A MOONCAKE. [Picture Book TH]
As a little girl discovers things round, square, and rectangular in her urban neighborhood, she is reminded of her Chinese American culture.

Tompert, Ann. GRANDFATHER TANG’S STORY. [Picture Book TO]
Grandfather tells a story about shape-changing fox fairies who try to best each other until a hunter brings danger to both of them.

Tsutsui, Yoriko. ANNA’S SPECIAL PRESENT. [Picture Book TS]
A picture book about generosity and love between sisters.

Tucker, Kathy. SEVEN CHINESE SISTERS. [Picture Book TU]
When a dragon snatches the youngest of seven talented Chinese sisters, the other six come to her rescue.

Uegaki, Chieri. SUKI’S KIMONO. [Picture Book UE]
Suki is determined to wear her kimono her grandmother gave her on her first day of school.

Wells, Rosemary. YOKO. [Picture Book WE]
When Yoko brings sushi to school for lunch, her classmates make fun of what she eats until one them tries it for himself.

Wells, Rosemary. YOKO’S PAPER CRANES. [Picture Book WE]
When Yoko moves from Japan to California, she decides to make and send origami swans to her grandmother for her birthday.

Wong, Janet S. TRIP BACK HOME. [Picture Book WO]
A young girl and her mother travel to Korea to visit their extended family.

Yin. COOLIES. [Picture Book YI]
A young boy enjoys the story of his great-great-great grandfather’s who came to the United States to make a better life for himself helping to build the great transcontinental railroad.

Stories with Eskimo (Inuit) and Native American Indian Characters

Bateson-Hill, Margaret. SHOTA AND THE STAR QUILT. [Picture Book BA]
Set in Minneapolis, Shota and the Star Quilt, is a modern story which examines one of the age-old themes of traditional folktales: the triumph of love and friendship over power and greed. The Lakota star pattern in central to the story, and there are templates in the back of the book so that children can make their own paper collage. A supplementary section provides information about the Lakota people, their language and culture.

Folwer, Susi. CIRCLE OF THANKS. [Picture Book FO]
An evocation of the beauty and power of the Alaskan tundra and the animals and people who live there.

Goble, Paul. GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES. [Picture Book GO]
Though she is fond of her people, a girl prefers to live among the wild horses where she is truly happy and free.

Griese, Arnold A. ANNA’S ATHABASKAN SUMMER. [Picture Book GR]
A young Athabaskan girl and her family make the annual return to their fish camp where they prepare for the long winter ahead.

Joosee, Barbara. MAMA, DO YOU LOVE ME? [Picture Book JO]
An Inuit child living in the Arctic learns that a mother’s love is unconditional.

Kroll, Virginia. SEASONS AND SOMEONE. [Picture Book KR]
A young Eskimo girl witnesses the changing seasons in Alaska.

Martin, Bill. KNOTS ON A COUNTING ROPE. [Picture Book MA]
In this poignant story of love, hope and courage, the counting rope is a metaphor for the passing of time, and for a young boy’s emerging confidence in facing his greatest challenge – his blindness.

Rogers, Jean. RUNAWAY MITTENS. [Picture Book RO]
Pica's mittens are left with the newborn puppies to keep them warm.

Scott, Ann Herbert. ON MOTHER’S LAP. [Picture Book SC]
A small Eskimo boy discovers that Mother's lap is a very special place with room for everyone.

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. JINGLE DANCER. [Picture Book SM]
Jenna, a member of the Muscogee (or Creek) Nation, performs the jingle dance at a pow pow.


Stories with Hispanic Characters

Altman, Linda Jacobs. AMELIA’S ROAD. [Picture Book AL]
Tired of moving so much, Amelia, the daughter of migrant farm workers, dreams of a stable home. 

Andrews-Goebel, Nancy. POT THAT JUAN BUILT. [Picture Book AN]
A cumulative rhyme summarizes the life’s work of renowned Mexican potter, Juan Quezada.

Elya, Susan. HOME AT LAST. [Picture Book EL]
When she and her family move from Mexico to the United States, Ana helps her mother adjust by encouraging her to learn English.

Estes, Kristyn. MANUELA’S GIFT. [Picture Book ES]
Maneula wants a new dress for her birthday, but times are hard, and she is disappointed when she receives a hand-me-down instead. She soon discovers that she has much to celebrate whether she receives a new dress or not.

English, Karen. SPEAK ENGLISH FOR US, MARISOL! [Picture Book EN]
Marisol, who is bilingual, is sometimes overwhelmed when her Spanish-speaking family members and neighbors need her to translate for them.

Geeslin, Campbell.  ELENA’S SERENADE. [Picture Book GE]
In Mexico, a little girl goes on a journey to learn to be a glassblower and gains confidence along the way.

Geeslin, Campbell. HOW NANITA LEARNED TO MAKE FLAN. [Picture Book GE]
Join a little girl from a Mexican village on a fairy tale journey filled with discovery, danger and delicious flan!

Herrera, Juan. GRANDMA AND ME AT THE FLEA. [Picture Book HE]
Juanito accompanies his grandmother to a flea market in southern California and delights in his Mexican-American community.

Ichikawa, Satomi. ISABELA’S RIBBONS. [Picture Book IC]
A little Puerto Rican girl uses her basket full of colorful ribbons to help her hide and to help her make some new friends.

Johnston, Tony. ISABEL’S HOUSE OF BUTTERFLIES. [Picture Book JO]
A young girl, named Isabel, hopes that her plan will spare her favorite tree, keep the butterflies coming, and provide an income for her poor Mexican family.

Meunier, Biran. PIPIOLO AND THE ROOF DOGS. [Picture Book ME]
Young Lupe tells the story of dogs that roam freely in the streets and hills of San Pablo Etla, Mexico, except for the roof dogs, confined to one small square of hot roofing. Until, that is, her beloved dog Pipiolo becomes the savior of the roof dogs. 

Mora, Pat. TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY.  [Picture Book MO]
While helping his family in their work as migrant laborers far from their home, Tomas finds an entire world to explore in the books at the local public library.

Perez, L. King. FIRST DAY IN GRAPES. [Picture Book PE]
When Chico starts the third grade after his migrant family moves to begin harvesting California grapes, he finds the self confidence and math skills helps him cope with the first day of school.

Perez, Amanda. MY VERY OWN ROOM. [Picture Book PE]
With the help of her family, a resourceful Mexican/American girl realizes her dream of having a space of her own to read and to think.

Politi, Leo. SONG OF THE SWALLOWS. [Picture Book PO]
Sad when the swallows leave for the winter, young Juan prepares to welcome them back to the old California Mission at Capistrano on St. Joseph's Day the next spring.

Rosa-Casanova, Sylvia. MAMA PROVI AND THE POT OF RICE. [Picture Book RO]
Mama Provi takes chicken and rice, yummy arroz con pollo, to her sick granddaughter Lucy who lives upstairs.

Russell, Barbara Timberlake. REMEMBERING STONE. [Picture Book RU]
As a young girland her mother watch the flocks of blackbirds preparing for their journey south, the mother dreams of returning to Costa Rica where she was born.

Soto, Gary. TOO MANY TAMALES. [Holiday Picture Book SO] (with Christmas books)
Maria tries on her mother’s wedding ring while helping make tamales for a Christmas family gathering. Panic ensues when, hours later, she realizes the ring is missing!

Velasquez, Eric. GRANDMA’S RECORDS. [Picture Book VE]
Eric spends the summer with his grandmother in Spanish Harlem and learns about her favorite salsa records.