“What happens when the books from our youth contain language, stereotypes, and situations that are problematic?” asks Anna in her blog post, “What About the Classics?” It’s a great 5 minute read that will really get you thinking about the books you remember loving as a child. Maybe it will also get you thinking about recent titles that have that classic feel, but that include a broader diversity of representation and awareness. I know it inspired me to put together this list to share. Maybe one of them will become a new classic in your home! And if you’d like some more ideas, you should definitely click on our blog’s “Books & Beyond” link, where you’ll find booklists on everything from Latinx Picture Books, Great Graphic Novels, Mindfulness, Politics, and so much more.
Picture Books
Dreamers / written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales.
Last Stop on Market Street / written by Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Christian Robinson.
Drawn Together / written by Minh Lê; illustrated by Dan Santat.
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors / written by Drew Daywalt; illustrated by Adam Rex.
All the World / written by Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Marla Frazee.
Fry Bread / written by Kevin Noble Maillard ; illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal.
Just Ask!: Be different, be brave, be you / written by Sonia Sotomayor; illustrated by Rafael López.
Three Bears in a Boat / written and illustrated by David Soman.
Chapter Books and Graphic Novels
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon / written and illustrated by Grace Lin.
The Wild Robot / written and illustrated by Peter Brown.
New Kid / written and illustrated by Jerry Craft.
Max & the Midknights / written and illustrated by Lincoln Peirce.
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Graphic Novel / written by Rey Terciero ; illustrated by Bre Indigo.
Pie in the Sky / written and illustrated by Remy Lai.
Peter and Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths / written and illustrated by Graham Annable.
Prairie Lotus / written by Linda Sue Park.
Roll With It / written by Jamie Sumner.
When Stars are Scattered / written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson with Omar Mohamed.
Ways to Grow Love / written by Renée Watson.
Bea Garcia: The Tree and Me / written and illustrated by Deborah Zemke.