Just out this year (2022), this is a beautiful retelling of "the true story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth," Opal Lee.  Lee led the movement to make Juneteenth a national holiday, and saw her goal realized, in 2020 at 94 years old.   An inspiring story for all!

Readers young and old will enjoy watching Mazie prepare to celebrate Juneteenth with her family in this classic by award-winning illustrator, Floyd Cooper.  

It's hard to think of a better book to read to children in celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month!  By pointing out that Lady Liberty's right foot is posed in a walking position, Eggers reminds readers that, like her, we, too, should always be moving forward, welcoming immigrants to our country.  

The Proudest Blue, by Ibtihaj Muhammad 

From Olympic Medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad comes a lovely story about identity, family, and being proud of who you are.  Faizah beams with pride as her older sister Asiya celebrates her first day wearing hijab to school.  The hijab she picks out is, of course, beautiful, very special, and the proudest shade of blue.

The Cat Man of Aleppo, by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha

This inspiring true story about Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, known around the world as the Cat Man of Aleppo, is wonderful.  An ambulance driver during the Syrian Civil War who courageously rescued hundreds of abandoned animals--particularly cats-in his beloved, war-torn city, the Cat Man's story is one of hope and compassion.

Other Words for Home, by Jasmine Warga

This beautifully written novel in verse won is a 2020 Newbery Honor winner, perfect for grades 3 and up.  Readers will love Jude, a young Syrian refugee trying to make a new home with her mother in the US.  It's a story of identity, friendship, loss, and hope. 

A Friend for Henry, by Jenn Bailey and Mika Song

This is a warm, heartfelt story about making friends, told from the perspective of a boy on the autism spectrum.  

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Temple Grandin, by Julia Finley Mosca

A great illustrated biography of Dr. Temple Grandin, sure to inspire.  There's even a note from Dr. Grandin at the end!

All My Stripes: A Story for Children With Autism, by Shaina Rudolph

With the help of his mama, young Zane the Zebra learns to love all his stripes--the many things that make him special! 

Lailah's Lunchbox, by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Lea Lyon

The Gift of Ramadan, by Rabiah York Lumbard, illustrated by Laura K. Horton

Under the Ramadan Moon, by Sylvia Whitman, illustrated by Sue Williams 

Shaking Things Up:  14 Young Women Who Changed the World, by Susan Hood

This is an inspiring collection of poems about 14 young women from history, beautifully illustrated by women picture book artists.  Readers will learn about leaders such as Ruby Bridges, Maya Lin, Mary Anning, Nellie Bly, and Pura Belpré.  Featured artists include Sophie Blackall, Oge Mora, LeUyen Pham, and more.

Love is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer and LeUyen Pham

A great read for not only Women's History Month, but also discussions about community and activism, this is a heartwarming story of a young girl joining her mother at a peaceful protest, based on the author’s experience with a friend’s daughter at the 2017 Womens March in NYC.     

Mary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negley

This brightly illustrated picture book introduces readers to women’s rights activist Mary Edwards Walker, who challenged gender norms when she dared to wear pants--instead of a dress--to school as a child.  Walker persevered and grew to become a key women’s rights activist, surgeon, and decorated military veteran.  

"Fry bread is food," starts this heartwarming story about a popular dish in Native American culture.  But readers quickly learn that it's so much more than that--fry bread is family, community, history, time spent together.   Kids love thinking (and chatting!) about other foods that are a special part of their identity, and how food brings us together.  A member of the Mekusukey band of the Seminole nation, Maillard includes a history of fry bread in the backmatter, as well as a recipe. 

This beautiful, heartwarming board book is dedicated to "former Indian Residential School Students and their Families."   In each sunny page, children share things that make their heart happy--holding a loved-one's hand, the grass on bare feet, singing and dancing.  It's impossible to read this one without smiling and feeling happy yourself, and the preschool set will no doubt want to share all the things that make their hearts happy, too.  

From the creators of We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga comes a must read for, well, everyone!  12 Native American children portray the ongoing fight for Native American recognition and rights, each offering a resounding "We are still here!"  This book provides a much-needed look at contemporary Native American life, an essential for school libraries.

Collective biographies, like the Little Legends series or Rad American Women A to Z, make great read alouds, and this one is no exception!  Notable Native People celebrates the contributions and stories of 50 Native Americans artists, athletes, scientists, and activists.  Kids can learn about changemakers from the past, like Wilma Mankiller, and present, like NBA Star Kyrie Irving.  

A perfect intro to LGBTQIA+ history for the preschool set, this board book explains the meaning behind each color of the flag.  

Young readers will learn about this history of the rainbow flag and activist and leader Harvey Milk in this moving, inspirational nonfiction picture book.

From the author of Pride: the Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, Stonewall is yet another empowering, essential picture book for young readers, this one telling the history of the Stonewall Inn, the raid of June 28 1969, and the birth of the LGBTQ rights movement.  

This collective biography is sure to inspire, with illustrated entries on 53 heroes from LGBTQ history, from ancient times to present day, including artists, musicians, athletes, writers, activists, and change makers.  

This Caldecott winner is a gorgeously illustrated story about the Indigenous fight to stop/prevent water pollution.  A young Anishinaabe girl calls on readers to help protect the water, and all living things, including "...those who cannot fight for themselves."  An author's note at the end connects the story to the events at Standing Rock. and readers can sign the "Earth Steward and Water Protector Pledge" on the last page. Lindstrom is Anishinabe/Métis and a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe Indians. Goade is from the Raven moiety and Kiks.ádi Clan from Sitka, Alaska

Another award winning book, one that School Library Journal calls "an informative and authentic introduction to a thriving ancestral and ceremonial way of life."  We Are Grateful is a beautiful look at contemporary Cherokee culture and celebrations, with an emphasis on gratitude--for one another, for all living things, and for the world around us.   Sorrell is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and lives in Northeastern Oklahoma, where her tribe is located.

Morales shares the story of her immigration to the US from Mexico in 1994, with her infant son in tow.  At first, Morales found comfort in the public libraries of San Francisco, exploring the shelves of the children’s rooms for hours on end.  Eventually, she would also find inspiration there, too--going on to become an award-winning illustrator and author. A Spanish language edition, Soñadores, is also available.   Please check this gorgeous story out, or even better, borrow it from your local library!

When little Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela tells her Daddy that she has too many names, he explains the beautiful story behind each one, connecting her to her ancestors and helping her see just how special her name really is.  Martinez-Neal, a Peruvian American author and illustrator, tells the story of her own name, too, in the back of this lovely book, which also won the Caldecott Honor in 2019.

Lola’s classmates happily draw pictures of where their families are from, but she can’t remember anything about “the Island” (the Dominican Republic).  Worried, she turns to family and friends, who help her learn that, even if she can’t remember it, the Island will always be a big part of her identity. This is the first picture book by Díaz, a Dominican American and Pulitzer prize winning author, and it’s illustrated by Espinoza, who was born in Colombia.  

Dreamers won the Pura Belpré Medal in 2019, and Islandborn won the Pura Belpré Honor in the same year.  After reading these books, follow up with this one--a beautifully illustrated biography of Belpré!  The first Puerto Rican Librarian in New York City, she is honored for her tremendous contributions to children’s literature and storytelling.  (Be sure to check out the list of all past recipients of the Belpré Award, too!)  Denise has Puerto Rican roots, herself, and Escobar lives in Colombia.