\u201cWe read to know that we are not alone.\u201d \u2014William Nicholson,\u00a0Shadowlands<\/em><\/p>\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s important kids read engaging stories with main characters that are relatable to their lives. Not just to their humanity, but also to their appearance and their culture.<\/p>\n I could recommend hundreds of books with diverse main characters. Here\u2019s a shortlist of some to check out.<\/p>\n yes no Baby\/Toddler (Ages 0 – 2) and Pre-K (Ages 3 – 5) 9781580891424 Lola at the Library<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/238790\/lola-at-the-library-by-anna-mcquinn-author-rosalind-beardshaw-illustrator\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw <\/p>\n Every Tuesday, Lola and her mommy visit the library, check out books, and read them together at a coffee shop where Lola enjoys a special treat and the foam from mommy\u2019s coffee. <\/p>\n 9781524740740 The King of Kindergarten <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/556838\/the-king-of-kindergarten-by-derrick-barnes-illustrated-by-vanessa-brantley-newton\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton <\/p>\n A young boy eagerly awaits the start of kindergarten \u2014 making new friends, learning new things, and telling his parents all about it. For more Black boy joy, don\u2019t miss Derrick Barnes\u2019s newest, I Am Every Good Thing<\/a><\/i>. <\/p>\n 9780525553410 My Papi Has a Motorcycle <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/588648\/my-papi-has-a-motorcycle-by-isabel-quintero-illustrated-by-zeke-pena\/9780525553410\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Pe\u00f1a <\/p>\n Daisy Ramona loves riding around her California neighborhood on the back of her Papi\u2019s motorcycle, a cherished daily routine. Their community changes by the day, but her Papi\u2019s love is constant. <\/p>\n 9781524717544 Child of the Universe <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/550434\/child-of-the-universe-by-ray-jayawardhana-illustrated-by-raul-colon\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Ray Jayawardhana, illustrated by Raul Col\u00f3n <\/p>\n Written by an astrophysicist for his young daughter, Child of the Universe<\/i> is a simultaneously poetic and scientific exploration of our stunning cosmos and a celebration of the individual brilliance of each child born into it. <\/p>\n 9780451478894 Danbi Leads the School Parade <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/564195\/danbi-leads-the-school-parade-by-written-and-illustrated-by-anna-kim\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Anna Kim <\/p>\n Danbi and her family just immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea. At her new school, Danbi initially feels out of place \u2014 the language and customs are all mysterious \u2014 but at lunchtime, she creates a fun new game that everyone can play. <\/p>\n yes no Growing Reader (Ages 6 – 8) 9780375849305 Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Thing <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/103511\/alvin-ho-allergic-to-girls-school-and-other-scary-things-by-lenore-look\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Lenore Look, illustrated by Leuyen Pham <\/p>\n A charming and amusing early chapter book series, Alvin Ho<\/a><\/i> stars as a young Asian American boy who might be intimidated by just about everything at school, but at home he\u2019s a superhero-in-training, also known as Firecracker Man! <\/p>\n 9780735230606 At the Mountain\u2019s Base <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/558334\/at-the-mountains-base-by-traci-sorell-illustrated-by-weshoyot-alvitre\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre <\/p>\n In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, a multigenerational Cherokee family go about their days and traditions in their home, while their loved one, always in their thoughts, serves as a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. <\/p>\n 9780670062874 Big Red Lollipop <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/296980\/big-red-lollipop-by-rukhsana-khan-illustrated-by-sophie-blackall\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall <\/p>\n Rubina can\u2019t wait to attend her first birthday party, but her mother spoils the excitement when she insists that Rubina\u2019s little sister, Sana, attend too. At the party, Sana pulls all sorts of little-sister shenanigans (inspired by the author\u2019s own little-sister behavior). <\/p>\n 9780763695132 Mango, Abuela, and Me <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/258441\/mango-abuela-and-me-by-meg-medina\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez <\/p>\n When Mia\u2019s abuela comes to live with her family, Mia looks forward to getting to know her far-away grandmother. Their language barrier may slow things down, but Mia comes up with a clever solution to help the two connect. <\/p>\n 9780763689773 Freedom Soup <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/611939\/freedom-soup-by-tami-charles\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Tami Charles, illustrated by Jacqueline Alc\u00e1ntara <\/p>\n Freedom Soup<\/i> will make your reader want to dance and clap their hands, as Belle and Ti Gran cook up a feast in the kitchen. Ti Gran also tells Belle stories about the Haitian Revolution and their family\u2019s history. <\/p>\n yes no Tween (Ages 9 – 12) 9780375851230 Return to Sender<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/2698\/return-to-sender-by-julia-alvarez\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Julia Alvarez <\/p>\n Three sisters are left on their own when their parents are sent back to Mexico. The son of the farmer whose land the girls are living on, Tyler, struggles with his fears and prejudices, but begins to change as he gets to know the girls better.<\/p>\n 9780525554974 Stand Up, Yumi Chung! <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/605935\/stand-up-yumi-chung-by-jessica-kim\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Jessica Kim <\/p>\n Yumi Chung accidentally finds herself living two lives: as a dutiful daughter and quiet student, and as a stand-up comedian in training. Will Yumi be able to bring her identities together? <\/p>\n 9781984892973 Clean Getaway <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/605269\/clean-getaway-by-nic-stone\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Nic Stone <\/p>\n Eleven-year-old Scoob is in hot water with his dad, but his grandma whisks him away for a cross-country road trip, retracing the steps that she and Scoob\u2019s grandpa took during the 1960s in the South, guided by their Green Book. <\/p>\n 9781101997284 Marcus Vega Doesn\u2019t Speak Spanish <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/533232\/marcus-vega-doesnt-speak-spanish-by-pablo-cartaya\/9781101997284\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Pablo Cartaya <\/p>\n When Marcus Vega\u2019s mother takes him and his little brother to Puerto Rico to visit unfamiliar relatives, Marcus takes off on a quest in search of his father, who left the family ten years ago. What he finds is a whole lot more than he bargained for. <\/p>\n yes no Teen (Ages 13+) 9780553523263 My So-Called Bollywood Life <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/248939\/my-so-called-bollywood-life-by-nisha-sharma\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Nisha Sharma <\/p>\n Bollywood-obsessed Winnie Mehta is shocked when her supposed soulmate falls for someone else. With a little help from Dev, a fellow film nerd, Winnie rewrites her love story according to her own script. <\/p>\n 9780593202876 How It All Blew Up<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/625445\/how-it-all-blew-up-by-arvin-ahmadi\/9780593202876?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Arvin Ahmadi <\/p>\n When coming out to his Muslim family doesn\u2019t go as planned, 18-year-old Amir Azadi packs his bags for Rome. As he pursues his most authentic self, Amir\u2019s old life and new collide in a big way. <\/p>\n 9781984812223 Frankly in Love <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/598579\/frankly-in-love-by-david-yoon\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by David Yoon <\/p>\n Though Frank Li\u2019s parents wanted him to grow up in America, they still have some traditional expectations: namely, that he only date Korean girls. Frank seeks the help of his friend Joy Song, and things take an unexpected turn. <\/p>\n 9780525707516 Who Put This Song On?<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/592224\/who-put-this-song-on-by-morgan-parker\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Morgan Parker <\/p>\n Both heartrending and irreverent, Who Put This Song On?<\/i> is the story of 17-year-old Morgan, who\u2019s struggling with growing up in a mostly white suburban community that prefers to ignore both mental health and race. An unforgettable semi-autobiographical novel from an award-winning poet.<\/p>\n For more book suggestions with diverse characters like these, I recommend these blogs:<\/p>\n Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2020.<\/i><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s important for kids to read engaging stories with main characters that are relatable to their lives. Not just to their humanity, but also to their appearance and culture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":16633,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[102,416,954,1110],"coauthors":[13],"class_list":["post-385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-social-issues","tag-race","tag-educators","tag-diverse-books","ages_stages-all-ages"],"yoast_head":"\n\n