Category

Diverse Representation

We’re All Wonders By R.J. Palacio

We're All WondersAnyone who has read Wonder by R.J. Palacio or seen the recent movie adaptation will be familiar with the story of Auggie – a small boy with a facial disfigurement who enters a mainstream school. If you haven’t read it then it’s highly recommended!

This version of the book is suitable for little children and let’s them see what life is like when you don’t look like everyone else.

Auggie explains how he likes to do all the same things that other children do but because he looks different then people stare and sometimes they are mean to him. He shows you how this makes him feel and how he deals with it.

He knows he can’t change the way he looks but he wants to try and change the way people see because he thinks it will make the world a better place.

We love this one and it’s an excellent book to start a conversation with a pre-schooler about empathy and how we should treat those around us.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2COJJ8v

Sloth Slept On By Frann Preston-Gannon

Sloth Slept OnToday we visited the zoo with Ivy for the first time and she loved seeing all of the animals. In the gift shop I let her pick a book for her collection and she chose this lovely one about a sloth.

Three little children are playing in their garden when they discover a strange animal sleeping in the tree. What on earth is it and where did it come from?

They try asking grown ups but they’re too busy. They look in their books but they can’t find any animals that look like him. They use their imaginations and wonder if he came from space or if he’s a hairy pirate or a brave knight.

Will they ever find out what he is and where he comes from? And if they do, how will they get him home?

The illustrations are gorgeous and the book features lots of interesting facts about sloths for your little ones to learn!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2EQdJ9h

Little People Big Dreams: Rosa Parks by Lisbeth Kaiser & Marta Antelo

Little People Big Dreams: Rosa ParksWhen I spotted the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series of books I knew I had to get them for Ivy. I bought 6 of them, each highlighting the life of an inspirational woman from history, with the intention of putting them away until she’s a tiny bit older. However she spotted them and was fascinated straight away. She’s too young to understand the stories and their significance yet but she seems drawn to the beautiful illustrations. Her favourite seems to be this one, which runs through the amazing life of Rosa Parks.

It shows all of the injustices and inequalities she had to deal with as a child and the inspiring way in which she stood up and made a massive difference.I definitely recommend checking it out (along with the rest of the series).

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2E1dQ2c

Not Quite Narwhal By Jessie Sima

Not Quite NarwhalNot Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima is a glorious little book about discovering your true self.

Kelp is born in the ocean and grows up believing he’s a Narwhal like his friends – but deep down he knows he’s a little bit different.

One day he gets swept away by a strong current and finds himself close to the shore. Up on a cliff he spots a majestic horned creature which looks just like him.

Is he brave enough to venture on to land and discover who he really is? And if he does, will he ever be able to return to his Narwhal friends?

This book carries such a great message about inclusion, diversity and being true to yourself.

Highly recommended – and the illustrations are some of the loveliest I’ve seen.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2BIhl8H

It’s OK To Be Different By Todd Parr

It's Okay To Be DifferentIvy loves the illustrations in this colourful book which celebrates everyone’s differences.

Have big ears? That’s fine. Got an invisible friend? No problem. Come from a different place to your friends? That’s okay. Like to eat macaroni cheese in the bath? Cool!

It’s a really positive and happy book and you can’t help but smile when reading it. Nice work Todd Parr!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2zV6tDp

I Like Bees, I Don’t Like Honey By Sam Bishop & Fiona Lumbers

I Like Bees, I Don't Like HoneyThis beautifully illustrated book teaches children that we’re all different and that’s what makes us special.

Each page shows a like or dislike from a different child – and they’re all from real kids who are thanked at the beginning of the book.

At the moment Ivy just likes the pictures and the rhymes but I can see how it would be great to encourage conversation with slightly older children.

As an added bonus, all royalties go to the NSPCC.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2gRXQ4K

Lulu Loves Stories By Anna McQuinn & Rosalind Beardshaw

Lulu Loves StoriesThe little girl in this story – Lulu – shares Ivy’s love of books and the library so I love this one.

Every Saturday Lulu’s daddy takes her to the library so she can pick a selection of books for the week ahead.

Every evening her mummy or daddy reads her a story and the next day we see how the story influences the games she plays on her own or with her friends.

The books inspire her to become a princess, a pilot, a tiger, a farmer and a host of other things!

It’s a great story which shows the power of the imagination and how important it is for kids to develop an interest in books.

This book is beautifully illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw and our copy came with a CD of the story bring read in 19 different languages including Welsh, French, Arabic, Swahili, Tamil, Urdu, Mandarin and Japanese!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2idtTj9