Celebrating Diversity

I've been reading and hearing more and more about diversity lately, which is great.  We have a fairly diverse household, having adopted 2 children.  Our family is a bit of a melting pot in itself, with Mexican, Native American, European, and North African heritage.  

I looked through my old boxed card sets, printables, and games.  I found a whole lot of pictures of white skin and not a lot of diversity.  I thought to myself, does my library add up?  I took a quick inventory.  Based on the number of books we own and the number I found with diverse representation, I gave myself a C-.  Yes, quite a few of our books star non-humans, but we should have more representation of minorities on our bookshelf.  I should have more in my work-box.  

As a seller on TpT and Boom Learning, I am working to incorporate diversity in the clip art that I use as much as possible.  I also need to make sure that the physical products I bring into sessions are representative of the overall community I am serving.  

Books that highlight minority characters and diversity: 

Chocolate Me! by Taye Digs

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

A Sister for Matthew by Paula Kennedy

Fry Bread by Kevin Maillard

The Night is Yours by Abdul-Razak Zachariah

I Just Want to Say Good Night by Rachel Isadora

This Beach is Loud by Samantha Cotterill

The First Strawberries retold by Joseph Bruchac

Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper

Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw

I'm New Here by A.S. O'Brien

Free Printable Book and E-Book (Boom Cards): 

The Skin We're In Free Printable Book and Ebook, by Elizabeth Hepler

Professional Resources for Diversity: 

Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Students in Schools 

Multicultural Affairs and Resources

ASHA Special Interest Group 14: Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

If you are in the state of NC, you can access the Digital Library.