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Multicultural Books

Last updated: August 13, 2024

Books transport readers to other worlds -- and not only fantasy lands where animals talk and magic is commonplace. The stories on this list introduce kids to cultures and worlds that are much closer by ... and just as fascinating! For more books that show kids, teen, and families with a variety of cultural traditions, check out Books with Asian, Asian American, Desi, and Pacific Islander Characters, Books with Latinx Characters, Books with Muslim American Characters, and Books with Native American Characters.

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Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border Poster Image
BOOK

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

age 3+

Heartwarming Christmas story set at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mitali Perkins Picture Book (2019)
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Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart Poster Image
BOOK

Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart

age 3+

A giant saves the day in muy magical story.

Pat Mora Folklore (2006)
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Last Stop on Market Street Poster Image
BOOK

Last Stop on Market Street

age 3+

Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus.

Matt de la Peña Picture Book (2015)
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'Twas Nochebuena Poster Image
BOOK

'Twas Nochebuena

age 4+

Sweet bilingual tale of Latino Christmas Eve traditions.

Roseanne Greenfield Thong Holiday (2014)
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A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas Poster Image
BOOK

A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas

age 4+

Classic carol brims with Spanish words, Mexican traditions.

Pat Mora Holiday (2009)
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All the Way to Havana Poster Image
BOOK

All the Way to Havana

age 4+

Celebration of Cuban family and ingenuity has gorgeous art.

Margarita Engle Picture Book (2017)
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Gai See: What You Can See in Chinatown Poster Image
BOOK

Gai See: What You Can See in Chinatown

age 4+

Colorful, seasonal peek at Cantonese food and fun.

Roseanne Thong Picture Book (2007)
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Little Skeletons / Esqueletitos: Countdown to Midnight Poster Image
BOOK

Little Skeletons / Esqueletitos: Countdown to Midnight

age 4+

Fun, rhythmic, bilingual Day of the Dead romp.

Susie Jaramillo Picture Book (2018)
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Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina Poster Image
BOOK

Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina

age 4+

Biracial girl embraces her uniqueness in charming story.

Monica Brown Picture Book (2011)
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Mixed Me! Poster Image
BOOK

Mixed Me!

age 4+

Boy embraces his uniqueness in exuberant identity tale.

Taye Diggs Body Awareness (2015)
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My Abuelita Poster Image
BOOK

My Abuelita

age 4+

Robust artwork with a Latino touch celebrates storytelling.

Tony Johnston Picture Book (2009)
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Niño Wrestles the World Poster Image
BOOK

Niño Wrestles the World

age 4+

Boy plays Mexican wrestler in exuberant bilingual tale.

Yuyi Morales Picture Book (2014)
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Octopus Stew Poster Image
BOOK

Octopus Stew

age 4+

Octopus adventure celebrates imagination, Latino culture.

Eric Velásquez Picture Book (2019)
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Our Favorite Day of the Year Cover
BOOK

Our Favorite Day of the Year

age 4+

Warm celebration of various cultures' holidays, traditions.

A.E. Ali Picture Book (2020)
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Paletero Man Poster Image
BOOK

Paletero Man

age 4+

Refreshing tale celebrates Chicano culture and community.

Lucky Diaz Picture Book (2021)
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Sulwe Poster Image
BOOK

Sulwe

age 4+

Girl learns to embrace her dark skin in magical tale.

Lupita Nyong'o Picture Book (2019)
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The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family Poster Image
BOOK

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

age 4+

Vivid art, powerful story about sisters overcoming bigotry.

Ibtihaj Muhammad , S.K. Ali Picture Book (2019)
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Tiny Travelers Mexico Treasure Quest Poster Image
BOOK

Tiny Travelers Mexico Treasure Quest

age 4+

Colorful search-and-find journey through Mexico.

Steven Wolfe Pereira Board (2019)
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Tortillas are Round / Las tortillas son redondas Poster Image
BOOK

Tortillas are Round / Las tortillas son redondas

age 4+

Fun bilingual book of shapes celebrates Mexican culture.

Roseanne Greenfield Thong Picture Book (2019)
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Yo Soy Muslim: A Father's Letter to His Daughter Poster Image
BOOK

Yo Soy Muslim: A Father's Letter to His Daughter

age 4+

Poetic call to be proud of your heritage in a diverse world.

Mark Gonzales Picture Book (2017)
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