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Talking to Kids About Race and Racism

This list includes background reading for adults as well as books to share with children.

King County Library System

24 items

  • This picture book explores why it is hard and scary to talk about slavery.
    BookNew York : Little, Brown and Company, 2023. — J306.362097 ALE
  • This picture book addresses the racism that Black children face, but it is primarily a loving affirmation of value, joy, and beauty.
    BookNew York : Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc., 2020. — E CHARLES
  • This book was written specifically to start a conversation between adults and children about what racism is and how it affects people.
    Book[Portland, Oregon] : A Kids Book About, [2019] — E305.800973 MEM
  • Todos Iguales

    Un Corrido De Lemon Grove = All Equal : a Ballad of Lemon Grove

    Hale, Christy,
    This bilingual book is about racial segregation in public schools in California.
    BookNew York : Children's Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc., [2019] — J379.263097 HAL SPANISH ENGLISH
  • What does it mean to be intersectional? What does it mean to be an ally? Find out in this picture book!
    BookNew York City : Dottir Press, [2019] — J JOHNSON
  • Soldier for Equality

    José De La Luz Saénz and the Great War

    Tonatiuh, Duncan,
    The true story of a man who fought for equality and justice for people of Latin American descent.
    BookNew York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS, [2019] — EB SAENZ
  • "A much-needed title that provides a strong foundation for critical discussions of white people and racism, particularly for young audiences." -- School Library Journal
    BookNew York : Dottir Press, [2018] — J305.8009 HIG
  • Something Happened in Our Town

    a Child's Story About Racial Injustice

    Celano, Marianne,
    In this story, two sets of parents (one white and one black) talk with their children about what they see in the news when a police officer is accused of shooting an unarmed black person.
    BookWashington, DC : Magination Press, [2018] — E CELANO
  • Can I Touch Your Hair?

    Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship

    Latham, Irene,
    " Young readers searching for means to have difficult, emotional, and engaged discussions about race will find an enlightening resource in Irene and Charles' explorations." -- Booklist
    BookMinneapolis : Carolrhoda Books, [2018] — J811.6 LAT
  • A story of both hurt and healing. A Cree grandfather tells his granddaughter how he was affected by being forced to attend Canadian residential schools.
    BookToronto, Ontario, Canada : Second Story Press, [2017] — E FLORENCE
  • Displays and names a variety of skin colors while celebrating the work skin does: "It keeps the outsides out and the insides in."
    BookSommerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2015. — E MANUSHKIN
  • The Case for Loving

    the Fight for Interracial Marriage

    Alko, Selina
    A true story about interracial marriage -- how it was illegal in some states until a couple took their case to the Supreme Court.
    BookNew York, NY : Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., [2015] — E306.846 ALK
  • Seeds of Freedom

    the Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama

    Bass, Hester, 1956-
    A true story about the peaceful integration of a formerly racially segregated Alabama town.
    BookSomerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2015. — E323.119607 BAS
  • Lillian's Right to Vote

    a Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

    Winter, Jonah, 1962-
    A fictional story based on the real struggle to win the right to vote for women and African Americans.
    BookNew York : Schwartz & Wade Books, [2015] — E WINTER
  • All the Colors We Are/Todos Los Colores De Nuestra Piel

    the Story of How We Get Our Skin Color/La Historia De Por Qué Tenemos Diferentes Colores De Piel

    Kissinger, Katie, 1951-
    This book takes a scientific approach to skin color, explaining all skin colors are “a different shade of brown,” and that color comes from the combination of ancestry, melanin, and exposure to the sun.
    eBookNew York, NY : Redleaf Press, 2013. — eBOOK OVERDRIVE
  • The true story of a Japanese American baseball hero forced to live in an internment camp during WWII.
    BookNew York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2013. — J796.357 MOS
  • A bilingual story about a girl with Peruvian-Scottish heritage.
    BookSan Francisco, Calif. : Children's Book Press, c2011. — E BROWN SPANISH ENGLISH
  • Heart and Soul

    the Story of America and African Americans

    Nelson, Kadir
    In this picture book, award-winning author and artist Kadir Nelson explores the history of African Americans including slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.
    BookNew York, NY : Balzer + Bray, c2011. — J973.049607 NEL
  • A quote from this book: “Our skin is just our covering, like wrapping paper. And, you can’t tell what someone is like from the color of their skin."
    BookNew York : Holiday House, 2009. — E ROTNER
  • Young Ron wants to check out a book from the public library. But only white people are allowed to do so. Can he change things?
    BookNew York : Dutton Children's Books, c2009. — E BLUE