Diverse and Inclusive Books For Children

Abstract

Reading diverse and inclusive books is a wonderful way to allow children to see themselves reflected, learn about other people and their experiences, imagine themselves in another place or time, imagine themselves in another person's experiences, recognize our similarities, and celebrate differences.Reading is more than fundamental. It provides the opportunity to teach our children about kindness, compassion, and empathy for others and that diversity of stories matter. All kids should be able to see themselves as the stars of their own stories. As there is not one type of child, there should not be one type of story. Read on for a sampling of favorite titles collected by pediatricians to help families select and share books with young children. This list was created in collaboration between Reach Out and Read and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Minority Health, Equity and Inclusion, the Book List Committee of the AAP Council on Early Childhood, and the Reach Out and Read Book Committee.Adapted from the HealthyChildren.org article Recommended Reading: Diverse & Inclusive Books For Children by the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Minority Health, Equity and Inclusion, Book List Committee of the AAP Council on Early Childhood, and Reach Out and Read Book Committee (9/15/2021). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In all aspects of its publishing program (writing, review, and production), the AAP is committed to promoting principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Any websites, brand names, products, or manufacturers are mentioned for informational and identification purposes only and do not imply an endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP is not responsible for the content of external resources. Information was current at the time of publication. The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.