Best books to teach your children about diversity

Follow a group of diverse children through a day at their school, where everyone is welcome. Children wear patkas, hijabs, baseball caps and yarmulkes and play side by side. Throughout the story, the children grow and learn from each other's traditions to see that diversity is a strength.

One reviewer said: "Highly recommended and perfect for our daughters collection. It’s perfect for explaining different types of people your child may meet at school and discusses great topics like having different foods in packed lunches. Great for discussing cultures and encouraging acceptance of diversity, inclusion and acknowledgment of peoples differences."

Based on a true story of discrimination of hispanics in American schools, this is a must have for schools and homes, that will help teach your kids about segregation through a little-known story about Sylvia Mendez and her family struggles.

One reviewer said: "Bought this to read to my 6 year old, and it's such a great story. It is a bit lengthy- my son has the patience and attention span for it. It's a great story, and teaches an important lesson especially given current events. It's a great way to promote discussion on these topics, particularly for children like mine who have had it pretty dang easy in life."

All about the various forms of head attire different religious people wear, it teaches children about the name of the 'hat' with the phonetic pronunciation and a description of the person who may wear it. Children will learn that many Muslim women wear a Hijab (He-jaab) and the cap typically worn by Jewish boys and men is called a Kippah (Ki’pa) for example.

One reviewer said: "What a beautiful look, I bought this as I am a childminder and wanted to promote cultural diversity for my younger children. The illustrations are beautiful and each page celebrates a religious hat/head wear with a pronunciation and sentence explaining who might wear the item. Shows a wide choice of religions and made of thick quality board."

If you want to encourage your kids on how to value true frienships, this is for you. Celeb-mum Rochelle recently brought out her own book to try and teach children about the differences between two friends and their natural hair.

One reviewer said: "My daughter absolutely loved this book. We are learning about friendships and how friends treat each other. This is the perfect book to illustrate that. Could read over and over again. Beware though Mums, try to hold back the tears!"

Among these inspiring black women from history, your children will learn about heroes, role models, and the everyday women who did extraordinary things to make the world better place for generations of girls and women to come.

One reviewer said: "Another book that I brought for my daughter before she was 1 years old at the time she wasn't really interested in sitting while I read now she's 2 years old and loves this book. We talk about other women of colour that have achieved amazing things from all over the world so we have a few books like this definitely would recommend."

Another book from the Little Leaders collection comes a book about amazing black men from history including Diplomat Kofi Annan and musician Prince. Learn all about how they broke boundaries and fought injustice to make the world a better place.

One reviewer said: "Great book, it's so nice to see other black hero's that are left out of the history books.
Very interesting for both adults and children. I absolutely love the illustrations also. My daughter is 3 and says 'He's black and beautiful like me!'"

Millie Doesn't Mind follows the journey of Millie as she navigates in a new neighbourhood where no one looks like her. This book is great for teaching children how to embrace differences.

One reviewer said: "My daughter absolutely loves this book, looking forward to many more stories about Millie."

From Olympic medallist Ibtihaj Muhammad comes this inspiring story of one girls first day of wearing a hijab and how she learnt to be proud of who she is.

One reviewer said: "My toddler enjoys the rich colours and images and I love the inclusive story of love, faith and family. Excellent to teach EYFS about identity and belonging."

Perfect for mothers and daughters to read together, this sweet story tells the tale of a little girl's Saturday day out with her mum that doesn't go to plan.

One reviewer said: "My four year old daughter loved this book. It's such a unique story, so beautiful, touching, and interesting. Would love to see more from this author. The illustrations are so original too."

With glossy illustrations and meaningful text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism.

One reviewer said: "Excellent writing, simple enough for babies but leaves the conversation open for more discussion with older children (or even adults!). Illustrations are beautiful and give more to discuss. Important stuff!"

A book that explores the lives remarkable people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved great things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. If you would like your child to read and to learn more about Martin Luther king, and discover how he grew to become an inspirational civil rights activist, then you'll enjoy this.

One reviewer said: "I really love reading all of these books with my children. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for some different books to read with their children."

A great book about four little girls who meet under an apple tree and form a bond that grows as they share secrets, aspirations, worries and schemes. A heart-warming tale of a friendship which follows their lives as they grow-up.

One reviewer said: "Beautiful book. One of the few children's books with all girls and each takes a different route in life so respectful to a variety of life choices! Good for discussions about different skills and each person bringing their own attributes to each situation. Not as overtly feminist as some of the other books out there but does a good job with the same messages."

Meet the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963, in this moving picture book that proves you're never too little to make a difference.

One reviewer said: "I felt like this was an excellent book while teaching my 4 year old of the world. I did have to explain bits to her but overall the visuals really got her mind thinking about how “not nice” it is to act certain ways. The main character is spunky which keeps the heavy topic of the story moving and more upbeat for children. I’m very happy we have this book and recommend it to my friends!"

There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you and sometimes feeling different and not fitting in can be hard. This story is all about feeling like outsiders and also how we can include different people.

One reviewer said: "I usually don't write reviews but I found myself tearing up reading this book to my two girls. The message of acceptance and love and strength in our differences really touched me! I love the subtle hints that we are all different but all have things in common. Absolutely beautiful boom!"

Teach your children about the story of Rosa Parks who went on to become one of the most famous civil rights activists after she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus in 1955.

One reviewer said: "This series never disappoints. I loved reading this to my little girl and teaching her about strong Women in history. Great short story, can’t wait to graduate to the paper book editions."

We love reading Julia Donaldson's brilliant books with our children, and The Smeds and the Smoos is no exception. This fun book sees a young Smed and Smoo fall in love, but their families strongly disapprove. However, peace is restored and love conquers all in this feel good book!

One reviewer said: "Nice story with the usual underlying meaning about caring and acceptance- our daughters not old enough to get that, however she loves the rhymes and finishing the last line of each page, currently her favourite book!"

This beautifully illustrated book tells Malala's inspirational tale, in her own words, for a younger audience to understand and shows them how she held on to hope and to made her voice heard even in the most difficult of times.

One reviewer said: "I bought this for the children in my class as they were really gripped by her experiences. They loved this book. Wonderful illustrations and story."

From the descendant of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, this book is a child friendly story all about the amazing women who changed the world for the better.

One reviewer said: "This book was suggested to me by another trainee teacher and when I saw the price I thought it was a no brainer. The children in my Year 2 placement class were amazed by the stories of these highly influential women, they could not believe that Rosa Parks was asked to move because she was a person of colour. Reading these mini-stories tot he children and seeing their positive reactions filled me with happiness and pride that the next generation are so accepting of one another."

This is a fun and inspiring tale about learning to love who we are, no matter what size we come in. It's a perfect picture book for little people who don't want to be so little!

One reviewer said: "This is a lovely story that is beautifully written. It is enjoyable to read out loud. Definitely will be recommending this to my friends! Embarrassingly it has taken the recent movement for me to ensure that my daughters’ book collections is diverse. This is a fantastic addition!!"

A brilliant book if you're about to welcome your second or third baby and their older siblings need some help coming to terms with having to share you with their brothers and sisters.

One reviewer said: "My two year old loved this book. It was written in a simplistic manner and she was able to identify our own family members with the characters of the book. As a parent I love the concept. It has now become bedtime story of the week."

Full of inspirational Muslims your little one can look up to, you'll find people you might know, like Malala Yousafzai, Sir Mo Farah and Muhammad Ali, as well as some you might not.

One reviewer said: "Gave it as a present for a friend's child over Ramadan - they both loved it! It's great to see such positive, inspirational representation in kids books."

This refreshing take on the classic tale Rapunzel has an Indian spin on the beloved fairy tale! You can also get a similar Little Mermaid version in this series.

One reviewer said: "These books are amazing. My daughter loves them and it’s so nice to be able to find diverse picture books for kids with traditional stories. We have bought them all!"

Recommended by The Miscarriage Association, Child Bereavement UK, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and Marie Curie, this book helps children understand bereavement and loss. Written by mum Emma who tragically lost her baby girl Lydie nine years ago, this book is written for young children about childhood loss, as she aimed to help her own children through the loss of their sibling.

One reviewer said: "Oh how I wish this book had existed 35 years ago when my 8-week old son died of SIDS. I never could bring myself to explain what had happened to my then 2-year old daughter. This wonderful book would have been perfect and would have helped not just her but myself too. It tackles an unbearably painful situation and somehow turns it into a cause for celebration. The gloriously simple and colourful illustrations would really attract a child's attention and have enough detail to be able to talk about easier things too such as colours, dressing up and picnics."

See, Let's Be Me by Gemma Hunt is a beautifully written children's story book that talks about key life lessons, through storytelling. This book will not only encourage your little one how to be strong, but it will also help them identify and be in control of their emotions, while embracing their qualities and uniqueness.

Review: "A really reassuring book for children under ten. The themes that each chapter takes on are suitable for that age and are issues that little ones will be confronted with often - who hasn’t lost their mum’s ring while playing, or had to do something like queue up whilst a littler sibling is along to go off and play instead of waiting?
The art work is lovely and is diverse and welcoming, The words are clear and my little one loved being read this."