Brown Skin, Curly Girl Becomes a Marine Biologist is a captivating tale that follows a young Nigerian-American girl who discovers her love for the ocean and its inhabitants while visiting the beach with her father. The book intertwines vivid imagery of sea animals with an inspirational message of self-worth, girl power, and encouragement.

With the encouragement of her father, Brown Skin, Curly Girl develops the unwavering belief that she can do anything if she sets out to make her dream a reality.

Through her journey, young readers will learn about the wonders of marine life and the important role that marine biologists play in protecting our oceans. They will also be inspired by her curiosity, imagination and enthusiasm for exploring the ocean.

Written by author Paula Swearingen, Brown Skin, Curly Girl Becomes a Marine Biologist is a must-read for young brown girls and all children who need a reminder that anything is possible if they set their minds to it. With beautiful illustrations and a powerful message, this book is sure to become a favorite for generations to come.

Lily LaMotte, brilliant author of the graphic novel Measuring Up, an ALA Top Ten, has written her debut picture book about a special Lunar New Year feast. Perfect for fans of Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin and I Am Golden by Eva Chen.

"Themes of love and family underlie the snappy text." —Kirkus Reviews

It's almost Lunar New Year, and Chloe can’t wait to celebrate! But first, Chloe and her family must prepare for the new year. They buy new shoes, lay out good-luck oranges in a bowl, decorate the red envelope, and make a crispy turnip cake. Everyone comes together to cook a fantastic feast, saving a plate for A-má, of course. Chloe enjoys the festive celebration and yummy food, but most of all she loves spending time with her family.

Lily LaMotte and Michelle Lee have created a tender, warm, and uplifting holiday story about tradition and the importance of being with those you love.

The back matter contains educational facts about the Lunar New Year celebration in Taiwan and a fun recipe for a yummy fortune cake!

A Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of the Year for ages 12–14 in Family/School/Community Fiction (2024)

Open the door to understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the path to peace.

What is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Why is it happening? Is peace possible? When kids ask questions like these, are grownups prepared to answer? This book was created to provide context for this conflict, open the door to conversation, and lay a path for understanding, peace, and compassion for our shared future.

PRE-ORDER.  ON SALE DATE: June 24, 2025

From multi Grammy-award winning artist and songwriter Victoria Monét comes a lyrical picture book that's perfect for children with separation anxiety, while also offering some healing for hard working parents.

I’ll always be your moon
You’ll always be my star

Just keep me in your heart and
I’ll be everywhere you are

In this melodic picture book from chart-topping musical sensation Victoria Monét, a gentle moon comforts a young star as night ends and they separate. Paired with the whimsical and imaginative art of Alea Marley, Everywhere You Are reminds us that even when someone isn’t right next to us, their love still carries on in our hearts.

A young biracial girl looks around her world for her color. She finally chooses her own, and creates a new word for herself―honeysmoke.

Simone wants a color.

She asks Mama, “Am I black or white?”

“Boo,” Mama says, just like mamas do, “a color is just a word.”

She asks Daddy, “Am I black or white?”

“Well,” Daddy says, just like daddies do, “you’re a little bit of both.”

For multiracial children, and all children everywhere, this picture book offers a universal message that empowers young people to create their own self-identity.

Simone knows her color―she is honeysmoke.

An Imprint Book

"This will appeal to so many biracial kids looking for a way to embrace every part of themselves." ―NBCNews.com

"A terrific addition to the WeNeedDiverseBooks canon, where it joins such books as Selina Alko's I’m Your Peanut Butter Big Brother and Taye Diggs' Mixed Me!." ―Booklist

This land is your land now, but who was here before? This engaging primer about native lands invites kids to trace history and explore their communities.

Before my family lived in this house, a different family did, and before them, another family, and another before them. And before that, the family lived here, not in a house, but a wigwam. Who lived where you are before you got there?

This Land teaches readers that American land, from our backyards to our schools to Disney World, are the traditional homelands of many Indigenous nations. This Land will spark curiosity and encourage readers to explore the history of the places they live and the people who have lived there throughout time and today.

You have within you infinite promise. How big will YOU dream? This striking companion to I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams celebrates Black female achievement and is perfect for fans of I Am Enough, Little Leaders, and She Persisted.

"Magnificently compelling....Lets Black girls know each time they turn the page that all of their dreams are possible." ―Angela Bassett, Award-winning Actress and Producer

I AM dope!

My crown shines bright

in all its glory.

When I dream big,

I can do anything!

In this inspiring tribute to Black girl pride and excellence, a young child discovers her place in a radiant heritage. As she meets twelve extraordinary Black women―historic and contemporary heroines who have blazed a trail for her own future success―she internalizes their strength and sets out to change the world in her own way.

Just like them, she can reach her dreams. And readers will discover that they can reach theirs too.

These books are for event pick up only!

In this call to bravery from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, Faizah learns to overcome her fears and stand in front of the crowd in this beautiful celebration of family, fencing, and community.  

Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and she loves being part of the group at her fencing lessons. When all eyes are on her, though, Faizah freezes up. Mama says bravery will come with time, but there’s a fencing tournament coming up—does Faizah have what it takes to be bold?

Love, honesty, and courage shine through every page of this empowering picture book from the bestselling, award-winning team behind The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red.

Dear Black Boy is a letter of encouragement to all of the black boys around the world who feel like sports are all they have. It is a reminder that they are more than athletes, more than a jersey number, more than a great crossover or a forty-yard dash, that the biggest game that they’ll ever play is the game of life. The same things that make these strong beautiful black boys great on whatever playing surface they choose are the same things that will propel them forward in life: mental toughness, dedication, passion, determination, and effort are all things that carry over into the game of life. With the right preparation, every Black Boy can win.

A tale about a young heroine named Carolina Blue who sets out to catch a magical black unicorn that just so happens to frequent her backyard.

De la poeta laureada estadounidense Ada Limón y el homenajeado de Caldecott Peter Sís: un libro trascendente que presenta el poema que viajará al espacio a bordo del Europa Clipper de la NASA.

Elogio al misterio dirige una mirada hacia la infinita tela nocturna y hacia nuestro planeta viviente y nos invita a preguntarnos qué significa explorar más allá del mundo conocido.

La poesía magistral y cautivadora de la Poeta Laureada de los Estados Unidos, Ada Limón, viajará al espacio en 2024, grabada en relieve en la astronave Europe Clipper de la NASA, como parte de una misión cuyo fin es el estudio de la segunda luna de Júpiter para determinar si existen las condiciones necesarias para sustentar la vida. Se ve acompañada por el imaginario luminoso de Peter Sís, el artista ganador del Premio Hans Christian Andersen, en un libro ilustrado que celebra la curiosidad y el asombro interminable de la humanidad.

Full color throughout

From U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón and Caldecott Honoree Peter Sís: a transcendent picture book featuring the poem that will travel into space aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper.

As part of her tenure as U.S. poet laureate, Ada Limón has written “In Praise of Mystery,” which will be engraved on the Europa Clipper spacecraft that launches to Jupiter and its moons in October 2024. Published here as Limón’s debut picture book, this luminous poem is illustrated by celebrated and internationally renowned artist Peter Sís.

In Praise of Mystery celebrates humankind’s endless curiosity, asks us what it means to explore beyond our known world, and shows how the unknown can reflect us back to ourselves.

color artwork throughout

A young Black girl overcomes self-doubt and embraces her unique superhero princess identity in this energetic and empowering book from the author of I Will Swim Next Time.

Halima can't decide who to dress up as for her friend's birthday party. Should she be a princess like Elsa, or a sort-of superhero like Pippi Longstocking? "You can't be either," her friends tell her, "because you don't look like them."

Mama assures Halima can be whoever she wants to be, and together they discover more strong, brave women to look up to. Can Halima find the confidence to become her own unique superhero princess?

Heartfelt and uplifting, Halima's story encourages pride and self-expression in young readers, and introduces them to inspiring women of colour from around the world. African-diaspora mother Emily Joof is the author of I Will Swim Next Time. Åsa Gilland's vibrant and lively illustrations are full of fun.

In The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands, children (ages three to eight) and caregivers will experience the beauty of the connection between generations. This beautifully illustrated book features different pigmentations, gender breadth, and ableness within the Black diaspora. 

As children and their caregivers read The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands, they will learn to value the gifts of their caregivers and grandmothers, and how they teach them to recognize energies in their own bodies, through cultural somatic practices. It is an interactive experience to be shared between generations. By reading these simple practices together, children learn that they and their people are not defective, and that things happened to their people before they got here. The Stories from My Grandmother's Hands is a toy box to help children create joy and manage the energetics of white-body supremacy.

Embark on an alphabetic odyssey through culture and heritage.

Imagine a world where every letter of the alphabet unlocks the colorful tapestry of a rich and ancient culture. This enchanting book does just that, guiding young readers on a journey through language, history, and traditions with each turn of the page.

Can we sing the ABC anywhere? With a woolly bear or on thin air? Set off on an alphabetic adventure to Palestine, a land that tells a story with every letter. From the A that stands for Arabic, a beautiful language sung by millions, to the Z for za’atar, a flavor that’s as bold as the history it accompanies, P Is for Palestine is more than just an ordinary ABC.

It’s also an odyssey through heritage, a cultural immersion that connects young minds to the world beyond their own. It’s where the traditional T for thob dresses meets the modern, where the ancient Q for Quds (Jerusalem) sits at the heart of spirituality, and where the resilience symbolized by I for intifada teaches the value of standing up for what is right.

With engaging illustrations and sweet rhymes, this book is a celebration of identity, a bridge spanning generations, and an invitation to friendship. Whether you’re a child, a parent, or simply a lover of wisdom and wonder, let this journey inspire you with every letter you explore.

No one knows maps like Nikki ― but can she get her family to Grandma's house in time?

Nikki’s family is preparing for a long road trip from Toronto to the Bronx to attend Uncle Travis's wedding. They pack their suitcases, boxes of Jamaican black cake, and most importantly to Nikki, the big map book!

Nikki loves geography and enjoys tracing the routes to all the places her relatives live ― her Grandpa in Florida, her cousins in Atlanta, DC, and Boston. She daydreams of England, where other family lives, and Jamaica and Africa, where her roots run deep.

Her attention comes back to the road trip when it’s clear that Daddy’s taken a wrong turn. “I can help!” says Nikki, who proves to be an excellent navigator. She guides them back to the Bronx Expressway, under the elevated subway tracks, onto a street of brown row houses and safely to Grandma’s.

Inspired by the childhoods of author Nadia L. Hohn and illustrator TeMika Grooms, Getting Us to Grandma’s is full of fun historic details ― a world before Google Maps! ― and authentic cultural moments shared by diasporic families, whose stories can be traced across continents. A fantastic representation of Black girls in STEM.

Key Text Features

Illustrations

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6

With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3

Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Este debut literario relata la profunda y conmovedora historia de cómo una niña y su abuelita enfrentan varias manifestaciones del racismo en su vida cotidiana.

El tiempo en casa con Abuelita es divertido. Incluye comer panqueques, saltar charcos y pintarse las uñas. Mientras que las salidas para hacer compras no siempre son divertidas. En el supermercado y en el bus la gente es impaciente y desconfiada. A veces alzan la voz y gritan. Esto entristece, enfada y atemoriza a la niña protagonista de la historia. Ella decide nunca más salir de su casa. Esto cambia cuando en un instante la pequeña se da cuenta que unidas, ella y Abuelita, son mucho más fuertes.

Los cálidos y expresivos dibujos de Rafael Mayani ilustran magníficamente la ternura que existe entre la narradora y su querida Abuelita.

In this touching, empowering picture book debut, a girl and her beloved abuelita lean on each other as they contend with racism while running errands in the city.

Spending time at home with Abuelita means pancakes, puddle-jumping, and nail-painting. But venturing out into the city is not always as fun. On the bus and at the grocery store, people are impatient and suspicious―sometimes they even yell. Sad, angry, and scared, the story’s young narrator decides not to leave home again . . . until a moment of empowerment helps her see the strength she and Abuelita share when they face the world together. Warm, expressive illustrations by Rafael Mayani highlight the tenderness in Abuelita and the narrator’s relationship.

Since life first arose on Earth, nearly all dinosaurs, mammals, insects, and birds that have ever existed have gone extinct. In this voicy, full-color illustrated encyclopedia, hear from the animals themselves what happened to them!

If your species happens to be alive right now, you should feel very lucky.

You probably know about the downfall of the dinosaurs and how the dodo bird met its doom. But you might not have heard about the other weird and wonderful creatures throughout the eons that just didn’t make it.

But that doesn’t mean all these stories are sad; extinction is just a part of the long, long history of life on Earth. And some of the ways these species died out are actually pretty silly . . .

In this fully illustrated encyclopedia, you’ll hear from the creatures who have faced extinction throughout the years—and learn what survival of the fittest means for those on evolution’s bad side.

Nearly a million copies sold in Japan!

In this debut picture book from Taraji P. Henson, quirky, stylish and a bit off-the-cuff Lil TJ is ready for her first day of school. But when she gets there, TJ finds that everything she does is a little different than everyone else and she’s standing out in all the wrong ways. Once TJ’s classmate Beau notices, he relentlessly teases her. TJ is filled with anxiety and doubt until she recalls some important words of wisdom from her Grandma Patsy. When she looks inside to her own creativity and personality, she figures out how to help herself make new friends! —and helps someone else too!

You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) is the perfect read for:

• Easing back-to-school jitters and setting a course for the new school year
• Helping children ages 4-8 to overcome anxieties and embrace what makes them unique
• Classroom and library story time, as well as bedtime reading
• Promoting mental wellness and learning socialization skills, embracing the importance of standing in their own uniqueness, and promoting friendship over bullying.

A great rhinoceros, plagued with sorrow, learns a lesson from the sun about the secret to happiness

In the ancient forest, a beautiful rhinoceros was wondering what sadness he felt in his heart and asked for help.

What follows is an enchanting fable about the importance of kindness and empathy, vividly illustrated by Catalina Vásquez and movingly penned by the award-winning writer Ondjaki.

NBA champion Jayson Tatum scores with this hilarious tale of a baby turned basketball superstar!

Inspired by Jayson Tatum’s life as both an NBA superstar and a loving dad, this laugh-out-loud picture book is the story of what happens when a tot becomes an NBA teammate. Coathored by Sam Apple and featuring Parker-Nia Gordon’s sweet and appealing art, Baby Dunks-a-Lot is “delightful . . .silly and sporty in equal measure” (Kirkus).

When a big kid teaches his little brother how to play basketball for the first time, something unusual happens . . . baby bro flies through the air for a monster dunk! Before long, every professional team wants the incredible dunking baby on their roster. Baby Dunks-A-Lot is poised to become a basketball legend—that is, until he misses his bedtime.

The Boss Baby meets Space Jam in Jayson Tatum’s debut picture book, Baby Dunks-a-Lot!

A tender picture book about a veteran’s PTSD and a family’s love for each other—on good days and hard days—from award-winning creators Winsome Bingham and Rahele Jomepour Bell

Momma wears combat boots, a camouflage jacket, and a U.S. ARMY tag on her chest. She is a fighter for her country’s freedom, but she is also a fighter for her family. When Momma comes home from a long deployment, however, something has changed. Our narrator, Momma’s “Baby," misses the big hugs, uniform fashion shows, and music mornings they used to share. And she really misses planting vegetables together. Now her Momma won’t even come out to the garden. But maybe, just maybe, she can bring the garden to Momma.

Missing Momma is the poignant and ultimately hopeful, comforting story of a child with a parent affected by PTSD. Sensitively written by Winsome Bingham and movingly illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell, Missing Momma beautifully reminds kids that a family’s love endures even on days that aren’t picture perfect.

PRE-ORDER: ON SALE DATE: January 7, 2025

Mamiachi & Me is a lyrical and empowering picture book written by Jolene and Dakota Gutiérrez and illustrated by Mirelle Ortega, winner of a Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor, about what it means to be a mariachi in an all‑female band.

Today’s the day! Rosa will take the stage next to her mami and play along with her popular mariachi band. But as they fasten the shiny botonaduras and tie the moños on their charra suits, Rosa begins to worry. What if the audience doesn’t like her? Is she ready to perform?

With her “mamiachi” and madrinas by her side, Rosa’s stage fright is soothed away by the sound of trumpets, guitars, and violins. Centering on the power of sisterhood, community, and music, the warm and lively text by mother-and-son writing duo Jolene and Dakota Gutiérrez—joined by Mirelle Ortega’s beautiful illustrations—provides a unique perspective to the male-dominated world of mariachi. Back matter includes additional context on the history of the beloved Mexican tradition and the rise of all-female mariachi groups, as well as a glossary, a bibliography, further reading, and a fun, detailed look at a mariachi’s signature charro suit!

A joyous exploration of imagination and finding inspiration, The Idea in You is the debut picture book from Questlove—New York Times bestselling author, six-time GRAMMY Award–winning drummer, producer, and Academy Award–winning filmmaker—and Coretta Scott King Honor Award–winning illustrator Sean Qualls

An idea can come from anywhere.
Start here: reach up into the sky
And unhook a star.

Questlove’s debut picture book, an uplifting story about passion, creativity, and joy—exuberantly illustrated by award-winning artist Sean Qualls—will inspire kids to find their own creative pursuits.

This sweet little picky eater will steal your heart as he learns to appreciate how his parents nourish him!

Little Sebastian has a lot of opinions when it comes to food, so his parents call him their own baby food critic! He even has a personal rating system, from one to five binkies, and he’s prepared to knock off a binky or two if his food is too gooey, doesn’t smell quite right, or is touching other food. When a restaurant outing throws him for a loop, a one-binky review seems inevitable . . . but then his parents save the day and Sebastian realizes the special ingredient they’ve been adding to every meal—one that definitely deserves five binkies!

Julieta is eager to honor her Abuelita's spirit on Día de Muertos, but struggles to find the perfect gift. A touching story that celebrates ancestors and teaches that the most meaningful tributes come from the heart illustrated by award-winning Sara Palacios.

Julieta is excited for Abuelita's spirit to visit on Día de los Muertos. She is determined to find the perfect gift to honor Abuelita and to show how much she misses her. However, her ideas fail one by one and Julieta grows worried.
It is only when Julieta embraces the memories she once shared with her abuelita, that she realizes the perfect gift comes from the heart. An uplifting story about both life and death, family, and the threads that connect us, long after we are gone.

Journey with a young girl as she explores the mesmerizing wonders of a Nigerian night market, where each stall is an adventure waiting to be discovered! Filled with vibrant illustrations, this captivating picture book invites young readers into a world of magic, mystery, and the joy of finding treasures in unexpected places.

The Night Market is here again, and all one girl needs is a bag of gold coins to enter. The market is alive with the sound of hawkers and traders. “A taste of tangy sweetness!” hollers a man behind a towering fountain of lemonade. “I’ll trade you a joke for a coin,” a little boy calls. “Home grown spices!” shouts a granny at a counter. What should the girl buy? But, wait! Do you hear that? It's the sound of an old African drum. Have a turn, then learn to make cards disappear when you shout Abracadabra! When the sun starts to rise and the night market winds down, the girl has one gold coin left—just enough to buy a return ticket to the night market.

With stunning illustrations by Nigerian-American artist Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, here is an enchanting read aloud about curiosity and the wonders that lie hidden in plain sight.

Before the first Christmas light is strung, Grandma is hard at work, making thousands of tamales to sell so she can buy gifts for her family! This heartwarming tale, based on a true story, explores a grandmother's boundless generosity, and the irresistible magic of tamales.

When the weather changes, but way before the Christmas tree is decorated, Grandma begins her preparations. With so many children and grandchildren in her family, she finds a way to put gifts under the tree-- she sells as many tamales as she can! Masa in one hand, corn husks in the other, Grandma’s just getting started. 15 dozen tamales. As Halloween passes, and Thanksgiving, Grandma is still toiling away in the kitchen: 150 dozen tamales, 700 dozen tamales, 850 dozen tamales. When it’s time to string the lights for Christmas, she’s inching closer to 1000 dozen tamales! Enough to give some to those in need and enough to sell to earn money for Christmas gifts.

Based on the author’s own grandmother, who was the heart of the familia, here is a warm story about Christmas, generosity, and, yes, tamales.

A charming debut picture book from acclaimed actress, singer, and Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose, which shows Princess Tiana on a never-before-seen New Orleans adventure!

After traveling all winter, Tiana and Naveen are back in New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras. Tiana wants everything to be just right, putting the finishing touches on their party favors and parade float.

But then she gets an unexpected letter from Naveen's parents, the king and queen of Maldonia. They've decided to join the celebration!

Determined to make it the best Mardi Gras ever, Tiana sets out on a new adventure with some old friends to find the perfect ingredients for a special addition. But soon she finds that perfect might not be the goal . . . and she may already have all she needs.

This picture book is a celebration of Indian heritage, father-daughter relationships, and sharing with community. Includes a foreword by renowned chef José Andrés, and one of the author's own recipes.

A young girl named Monica shares special time with her father as they prepare her favorite dish in this warm and inspiring picture book for kids ages 3-7.

Monica loves the Butter Chicken that her father makes. She spends the day helping him in the kitchen as he prepares the dish, stirring the sauce and adding the spices. And while the chicken bakes, the two dance around the kitchen.

When the chicken is done, they get ready to sit down and enjoy the meal together. But then the doorbell rings, and Grandma, Monica's uncles, and even the neighbors arrive to share in the feast!

A warm and inspiring story of food, family, community, and sharing that includes a foreword by renowned chef José Andrés, and one of the author's own recipes.

Discover the life of Serena Williams―a story about challenging yourself and achieving your dreams for kids ages 6 to 9

Serena Williams is one of the most famous and talented tennis players in history. Before she became a legendary professional athlete, she was a young girl who loved reading and gymnastics and started playing tennis at three years old! In this book about Serena Williams for kids, new readers will explore how she faced discrimination, injuries, and many other challenges, but still worked hard to be the best player she could be.

Independent reading―This biography book for kids is broken down into short chapters and simple language so they can read and learn on their own.

Critical thinking―Kids will learn the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Serena's life, find definitions of new words, discussion questions, and more.

A lasting legacy―Find out how Serena's love for her family and her community inspired her to get involved with important charity work, helping people all over the world.

How will Serena's competitive spirit inspire you?