5 Powerful Books To Promote Diversity & Inclusion
Have you ever had a class or group of students who just can’t seem to embrace the differences we all have? This can manifest in name calling, exclusion, bullying and more. If you’ve ever experienced this, you know that it can really put a damper on the culture in your school or classroom. Students are constantly in fear of what others are thinking or saying, and are afraid to celebrate the things that make them unique. Students with this type of attitude and behavior can make it challenging to have a class or school where everyone feels welcomed or celebrated.
Thankfully, teaching about diversity and inclusion can be a powerful step to promoting a positive culture in your classroom or school. Books are a great launching point for conversations that will encourage your elementary students to embrace the differences they have and celebrate each other’s strengths.
Whether the kids at your school are struggling to care for and respect each other, or you just want to encourage your students to continue their welcoming behavior, these 5 inclusion and diversity books are perfect for you! Use them in morning meetings, small group or classroom school counseling lessons, or even in a school-wide assembly!
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman
Recommended Grades: K-2
In this book, young students will get to take a look at a school where everyone is welcome. No matter what they wear, where they come from, or what they eat, all are welcome. This is a great way to show students what the beauty of diversity and inclusion could look like in their school.
Follow-Up Questions:
What can you do to help others feel welcomed and included?
Why is it important to include others?
Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Recommended Grades: K-4
Elliott and Kailash are pen pals from across the world. Readers learn through the boys’ letters that their worlds are very different, but also very much the same. This is a great book to help readers celebrate other cultures.
Follow-Up Questions:
What do the boys have in common? What differences do they have?
Why is it important to celebrate the things we have in common? Why is it important to celebrate the things that make us different?
The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric
Recommended Grades: K-4
Lazlo S. Gasky is new at school. The other kids are mean to him because he doesn’t look like them or sound like them. After Ellie realizes the effect this has had on Lazlo, she invites him to play. She has a great time and encourages the other students to look past his differences.
Follow-Up Questions:
How did Lazlo feel at the beginning of the story? How did he feel after Ellie asked him to play?
What can you do to include people who are different than you?
The Judgmental Flower by Julia Cook
Recommended Grades: 2-4
The blue flower isn’t too sure when he meets the purple flower. He doesn’t like him because he is different. The blue flower then learns that he has some things in common with the purple flower and that their differences are something to be celebrated!
Follow-Up Questions:
Why doesn’t the blue flower like the purple flower? How does this make you feel?
Why is it important to be kind and respectful to everyone - even people who are different than us?
Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomayor
Recommended Grades: 2-4
In this book, students will get a look at what makes kids different. Some kids have diabetes, some are blind, some are deaf, but we all have things in common. This is a great book for helping students learn about diversity.
Follow-Up Questions:
Is there anything new you learned about from this book?
What are some differences we have in our class? What are some things we have in common?
These inclusion and diversity books are a simple way to make your social emotional learning and school counseling lessons more impactful. They are sure to help you transform your school or classroom into a place where everyone feels welcomed and celebrated. To make your lessons even easier, make sure you check out the ready-made activities for The Judgmental Flower and All Are Welcome!
