Picture books tagged with: prejudice

Mighty Mara

Mighty Mara celebrates diversity and also explores themes about tenacity, self-confidence, and disability inclusion. The protagonist, a young disabled girl, encounters doubt and some bullying when she signs up to perform in her school talent show. Readers will see how she overcomes biases and ableism to embrace what makes her uniquely herself.

Nowhere Hair

A picture book that steps in to support anyone that needs to explain cancer treatment and its effects to a young child. It also serves as a good reminder that we should not judge or tease people for the way they look, it's what inside that counts the most, and parental love is unwavering, even in the most difficult circumstances.

The Invisible Boy

This beautiful book promotes inclusivity and empathy, encouraging children to 'leave no-one behind' in friendship groups and to consider other people's feelings.

The Only Way is Badger

A book about acceptance, difference and learning to say sorry.

The Day War Came

A haunting, emotional story of a young refugee, this picture book could be a springboard for a conversation about kindness and tolerance. Encourages empathy.

The Suitcase

This simple and powerful story about the arrival of a stranger could be a catalyst for exploring so many concepts and themes with young children: trust, curiosity, tolerance, hope, kindness, making amends, friendship, ‘doing the right thing’ and telling the truth to name just a few.

The Last Chip

Sharing this story with a child would be a good catalyst for a conversation about kindness and resilience. The Last Chip has important messages about the harmful effects of bullying and violence, and challenges negative stereotypes of homeless people and those in poverty.

Kind

A beautiful picture book which explores and encourages kindness in many forms. It promotes sharing, acceptance, tolerance and empathy.

How to be a Lion

A brilliant and entertaining story with a strong and clear message: Don't be afraid to be yourself; embrace the differences in yourself and others.

Grumpy Frog

A thoroughly entertaining and engaging book which explores some important themes: forgiveness, tolerance, co-operation, and how moods and behaviour affects others.

Perfectly Norman

"Find the courage to be yourself"

Minnie & Max are OK!

A good choice to help a child develop a positive body image, “Minnie & Max are OK!” sends out a strong message that everyone is different and that we all have our own specific strengths. The book will reassure a child with insecurities, and encourage them to look at the wonderful diversity all around them.

We’re All Wonders

This story shows how one child copes with his own differences, and other people’s reactions to them. The reader will find comfort in Auggie’s imaginative tactics, and his positivity about being able to change the way others see him.

Tappity-Tap What was That?

The book conveys the message that facing our fears means they are often not so scary.

This Book Belongs to Aye-Aye

This entertaining book explores the idea of 'being different'. The central character has less conventional looks than his classmates, but the story reveals that his kindness and intelligence are more important than the way he looks. The book also has an anti-bullying message.

The Great Big Book of Feelings

A child struggling with negative emotions may find great comfort in this sympathetic, entertaining and reassuring book which explores many different feelings: happy, sad, excited, bored, interested, angry, upset, calm, silly, lonely, scared, safe, embarrassed, shy, confident, worried, jealous and satisfied.

Sophie’s Masterpiece

May encourage a child who is frightened of spiders to look more favourably upon these fascinating creatures. The book also reflects the ageing process, and may strike a chord with a child who has lost an elderly relative. Additionally, it has underlying themes of tolerance and acceptance.

This is Our House

Promoting tolerance, co-operation and acceptance. Celebrating diversity.

Amazing Grace

Inspiring children to achieve their full potential by believing that anything is possible. Promoting tolerance and acceptance and celebrating diversity. Boosting self-esteem and dealing with prejudice.

Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero

A great choice for a child who wears glasses (the featured hero is bespectacled). It's also a good way to discuss prejudice and stereotypes with children, and to encourage them to look beyond outward appearance.

I Talk Like A River

A moving book about how it feels to have a stutter and have difficulty expressing yourself.

Brody The Lion: The Shopping Flip

Teaching positive behaviour strategies to children experiencing big emotions, this fun picture book is particularly helpful for children with autism or sensory processing disorders.

Not Yet a Yeti

We are not always happy to do what is expected of us, and for any child struggling with such expectation, or for those who feel they do not fit in, this book is a refreshing tonic.

The Lion Inside

A delightful story showing that everyone feels scared sometimes. Great for encouraging children to find their own voice.

Horrible Bear!

A sweet picture book with an important message: looking for the good in people and situations and learning to apologise will lead to more happiness than being angry, judgemental and stubborn.

The King Who Banned the Dark

Children who are afraid of the dark may find comfort and acknowledgement here, but the story also explores themes of power, revolution, manipulation and acceptance which older children might enjoy discussing.

A Rainbow of Fun

An entertaining story about finding out who you really are and being true to yourself, and learning to stand up to prejudice and criticism.

Along Came A Different

A fun story about different shapes who learn to put aside their differences and get along. Promotes open-mindedness, kindness and tolerance.

The Boy in the Big Blue Glasses

A picture book which acknowledges that getting used to wearing glasses can be a challenge for some children. The boy in the story ultimately grows to accept them.

The Prince and the Frog

This book will certainly provide reassurance to any child who may be experiencing confusion regarding their sexuality. it encourages children to listen to others, be kind, and embrace diversity and equality.

Malala’s Magic Pencil

An uplifting and empowering true story about a young girl who achieved world-wide respect for standing up for her beliefs.

Hortense and the Shadow

This book encourages the reader to see strengths within themselves that they may have originally thought were weaknesses. It uses a quirky, abstract message to promote self-respect. It would be a good starting point for a conversation about tolerance and respect for others too.

Hudson Hates School

A useful introduction to dyslexia for children, this book reassures children that dyslexia should not be a barrier to success if it is properly recognised and managed.

“Oh, No,” said Elephant

Helps a child to see that not everyone is good at the same thing. Individuals have different strengths, and everybody is good at something!

Monster in the Hood

This story tackles the fear of the unknown, and helps a child to consider that situations they might initially think are scary can turn out to be harmless, and even enjoyable. It also challenges prejudice.

The Tigon and the Liger

Encourages the child to see differences in a positive way, whether in themselves or in others, and shows the merits of diversity.

The Wolf Who Cried Boy!

Challenges preconceptions that may be associated with unfamiliar situations, and promotes tolerance of other ways of life.

Odd Bods

By celebrating the fact that every child alive is an ‘odd bod’, with their own set of idiosyncrasies which should be accepted as the things that define them. Nobody is perfect, and who would want to be anyway?

Introducing Teddy

This book may strike a chord with children struggling with gender identity. There are also other clear messages: accepting people for who they are/celebrating diversity and encouraging children to share worries with friends rather than keep them bottled up.

Witches and Fairies

Children can sometimes form friendship circles which exclude others, which can be difficult for the children left on the outside. This book focusses on Clotilda, a little girl who doesn't really fit into the group of fairies and group of witches she longs to play with.

Killer Gorilla

Good for not judging people before you know them

Run!

One of a vibrant series of books (Crawl!, Jump!, Climb! and Run!) that focusses on children's love of movement.

I’m Special, I’m Me!

Promoting tolerance, co-operation and acceptance and celebrating diversity. May help to boost a child's self-esteem and realise that being different isn't a negative trait.

Manners in School

By encouraging children to behave in a thoughtful, polite and caring manner at school.

Tyrannosaurus Drip

While predominantly being a book for pure entertainment, this book also has the underlying themes of bullying, acceptance and prejudice.

Giraffes Can’t Dance

The story would be a good starting point for a discussion on self-esteem and persistence, or the positive side of being different. It also has an anti-bullying/acceptance message.

Do Unto Otters: A Book about Manners

Encouraging young children to respect differences in others and act with kindness and politeness.

The Cow That Laid an Egg

A great choice to cheer up a child going through difficult times - they will probably be giggling out loud by the end of the book! There's also an underlying theme of acceptance, and may even strike a chord with adopted children.

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet

Everybody Matters: A First Look at Respect for Others

This non-fiction picture book introduces children to the concept of respect, fair treatment and anti-discrimination. It explains that you can earn respect by being polite, honest and by listening to others: qualities that will ultimately lead to making the world a better place.