Muddy Boots’ Top 10 : Books for Celebrating Diversity
Here at Muddy Boots, we focus on developing the uniqueness of every child. Whether it’s through learning, play, or even just sharing an interest, we know how vital it is to encourage individuality and diversity. Books are an excellent way of introducing children to fascinating characters and diverse cultures, as well as encouraging them to embrace differences and build a strong sense of community. As a part of our celebrations following International Literacy Day on 8th September, and to help your children learn about celebrating their own uniqueness, we have compiled a ‘Muddy Boots’ Top 10’ list of books to read with your little ones.
‘You Matter’ by Christian Robinson
From the tiniest cell, to the entire universe - everything, and everyone, matters, and this book serves to reinforce that. Coupled with colourful illustrations, Robinson’s story has a wonderful message about connecting with the people and world around you, as well as acknowledging the importance of self. ‘You Matter’ is also an inclusive story, featuring characters of different ages, ethnicities, abilities and religions, making it easy for you and your child to relate to and see yourself in. Not only can the story reinforce a sense of worth and importance within your child, but it is also an excellent story for building discussion of their connection to others in their community, and the importance of helping others realise they matter too, despite all our differences.
‘A World for Me and You’ by Uju Asika and Jennie Poh
What if everything was the same - people all looked and talked the same, food tasted the same, places looked the same - the world would be pretty boring right? This story encourages children to see the world differently, as a vibrant place full of things to explore! You can see Asika and Poh’s book come to life through the dazzling illustrations and fantastic use of colour, to represent just how wonderful and diverse our world really is. ‘A World for Me and You’ is an exciting celebration of life and all the diversity in the world around us, encouraging children to appreciate and embrace all the different aspects of themselves and their communities.
‘The Perfect Fit’ by Naomi and James Jones
The premise of ‘The Perfect Fit’ is that difference makes life more fun. This, more abstract, story teaches children that it’s okay to be different through the character ‘triangle’ and their other shape friends. Jones and Jones’ tale explores the feeling of belonging, as the main character wonders if she’ll ever fit in. The idea of ‘belonging’ can be something quite vital to discuss with young children as they navigate life, trying to make friends, and discover who they are. This wonderful book lets children, and parents, accept and embrace their differences because it makes them who they are. A humorous book, the story also encompasses an additional learning aspect about shapes and how they fit together - a two in one!
‘I Am Enough’ by Grace Byers
A lyrical tale about self love, acceptance and respecting others, this story is great for encouraging and reminding children that they are enough and that they are loved. The story compares people’s life on earth to that of all living things; we are all here to shine like the sun, to grow and stand tall like the trees and mountains. Importantly, the book also notes that it's okay to fail and get upset, all that means is you can get up to try again! ‘I Am Enough’ is a great story for uplifting your child, and reminding them that, like everyone else, they too have a place on earth, and we are all enough. No person is meant to be the same, but our uniqueness doesn’t make us any less deserving of love and community.
‘Bodies Are Cool’ by Tyler Feder
A book loved by many of the children at Muddy Boots, ‘Bodies Are Cool’ is a great exploration of physical diversity and the importance of loving our bodies. This uplifting and beautifully illustrated book encourages self-love and an appreciation of all body types, something that is really important to teach your child from an early age. The story showcases all kinds of bodies completely free of judgement, and celebrates all different shapes, skin tones, abilities and more! Feder’s book encourages inclusion and can help children - and adults - understand that all bodies are powerful, important and deserving of love.
‘Love Makes A Family’ by Sophie Beer
Beer’s book explores the diversity of family makeup and how, whilst every family is different, the one thing they all share in common is love. Each age is bursting with colour; the illustrations are vibrant and representative of all different people, as well as depicting families with two mums or two dads, single parents, grandparents and more! With minimal words, the story manages to create a beautiful message about the wonderful ways in which parents, caregivers and all members of the family love and look after their children no matter what. After all, the most important thing we can do for everyone and everything on the planet is to show love. The story ‘Love Makes A Family’ is also part of a collection of 4 books by Beer called ‘My First Behaviour and Manners Library’, exploring the power and importance of love, kindness, consent and looking after the world we live in.
'Red: A Crayon’s Story’ by Michael Hall
This funny and heartwarming story is about a blue crayon who is labelled as ‘red’, struggling to meet people’s expectations. The crayon’s teacher, mother and even some scissors try to help them be red, but no matter how hard he tries the colour always comes out blue. It’s not until they meet a new friend that the crayon realises what colour they have been all along - blue! While this is another, more abstract tale, the underlying message of Hall’s story reads clear - be true to your own self and follow a path of your own creation. This story is also great for starting a number of different conversations with your child surrounding topics such as identity and the process of accepting yourself as well as others around you.
‘Strictly No Elephants’ by Lisa Mantchev
When a young boy and his pet elephant are rejected from their local pet club with a bold notice that says ‘strictly no elephants’, they set out on a mission to not only solidify their unlikely friendship, but to also create a space where said friendship (and others alike) are welcome. Mantchev’s story is another touching tale of unique friendships that serves to help children understand the value of friendship and belonging in their community. With great illustrations and an overarching message that everyone is welcome no matter who they are, ‘Strictly No Elephants' is an incredibly effective story that can act as an introduction to early conversations on inclusivity and community.
‘All Are Welcome’ by Alexandra Penfold
Following the narrative of a school day and life at home, this book is particularly useful for slightly older children as they begin to transition into school life. It explores the feeling of belonging; from what they wear and what food they eat, to their ethnicity and ability, this book is great for exploring and dispelling the feeling of loneliness in your child as they discover there are other people like them in the world. The story also explores different family dynamics as a further inclusion, something that is not often seen in many children’s stories. Another great example of illustrated diversity, Penfold’s book is a bright display of colour and life, which only serves to reflect the warmth and power in the story’s titular message - ‘All Are Welcome’.
‘The Same But Different’ by Molly Potter and Sarah Jennings
Made for helping parents start more tricky conversations with their children, ‘The Same But Different’ is a fantastic introduction into exploring diversity in the world and respecting your community. The writing style is less of a narrative, and instead built more specifically for helping your child learn, by providing extra tips to parents on how to navigate conversations of diversity with your children, as well as a glossary of terms. As depicted in the title, Potter and Jennings’ book explores the things that make people different, but also the similarities that we share. Teaching your child to celebrate what makes them different, this is an excellent and inclusive book with plenty of characters to relate to no matter who you are.
Conclusion
Reading books with your children is a great way for them to learn about themselves and the world around them, especially when it comes to topics that might be more difficult to explain. For your little one’s personality to flourish, you must encourage them to be themselves, and for them to do the same to others. Books like these can really help with that, as well as allowing them to process some of those more complicated feelings about who they are and what makes them different. If you’re looking for a new book to add to story-time, why not give one of these a try?
Remember, the most important thing is to make reading a fun and enjoyable experience for your child. Introducing them to a variety of books can help them develop a love for reading, as well as an appreciation for the world around them.
