12 Books to Help You Discuss Race with Young Kids

Hey, it's never too early to jumpstart your kid's love of non-fiction. This picture book tells the story of the groundbreaking Black entertainer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson with a "Rap-a-Tap-Tap" line on repeat that is highly mimic-able for your toddler. Black historical figures are often glossed over or white-washed in school curriculums and even the media we consume, so why not start a love of learning with this fun book?

A classic for a reason—this is the story of a Black boy who lives in an apartment in the city and is obsessed with snow. Know anyone else obsessed with snow? Simply pointing out our similarities in spite of our different backgrounds can build the foundation for empathy.

Saturdays are everything to this Black mother-daughter pair. But for many reasons, this one doesn't go according to plan. As the mom starts to feel a meltdown coming on, her daughter, Ava, reminds her that togetherness is the point. Ask your child to point out how the characters are similar or different from your family.

This illustrated board book is like a toddler 101 class in Black heroines. Think: astronaut Mae Jamison, mathematician Katherine Johnson, aviator Bessie Coleman, and more.

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. On this particular afternoon, CJ asks several important questions, such as why he and his grandma take the bus and not a car, and why he doesn't have an iPod. Like many other picks on this list, this one's not overtly about race, but Market Street is about class and being grateful for and mindful of all the people in a community.

Considered a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, You Hold Me Up's bright illustrations also feature Native and Indigenous characters, which are vastly underrepresented in media. We also recommend pre-ordering When We Are Kind, another illustrated book about acts kindness from Smith.

Buy it ($20)

As the smallest girl in her African village, Imani is the target of much teasing, but she never lets go of her dreams. With vibrant illustrations, this book is a wonderful starting place to talk about those who are different from us and resilience in the face of adversity.

It may take a few years for your kid to actually say, "intersectionality," but you can imbue them with those ideals starting at any age. In fact, since the pages of This Day in June are composed of simple two-line rhymes and whimsical illustrations, this is an easy book for introducing respect, acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. Plus, the book includes age-appropriate ways to address questions on sexual orientation and gender identity, too.

A nursery rhyme book that tackles race simply by highlighting bold, friendly faces of all colors, The Skin I'm In was basically designed to spark important discussions with children.

For the kids who start asking more serious questions about the world around them, this multimedia picture book offers an honest explanation of racism and whiteness (including white supremacy). A Publisher's Weekly review wrote: "It's that exact mix of true-to-life humor and unflinching honesty that makes Higginbotham's book work so well..."

Targeted for actual babies and up, The Anti-Racist Baby wants to help you make your child anti-racist. In addition to the awesome art, the book provides language to help you start that conversation at an early age.

Pre-Order ($9)

Author and entrepreneur, Jelani Memory, founded his company, A Kids Book About, to empower children, speak to them like the smart (OK, and small) humans they are and encourage uncomfortable conversations with the adults in their lives. And it all started with this book. Long story short, this is an honest kids book about racism—what it is and how to know when you see it.