Browse Items · Windows and Mirrors: Diversity in Books for Young Readers

Pete the Cat Talent Show Trouble

Pete the Cat's school is hosting a fun talent show! Pete knows just what to sign up for- playing the guitar. But, one of his friends has already signed up for that, will friendship get in the way of this talent show?

Tags: boy/man (primary character); boy/man (secondary characters); girl/woman (secondary characters); language: English; non-human (primary character); non-human (secondary characters); picture book; unspecified sexuality (primary character); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

Dinosaur Dig (The Berenstain Bears)

Based on the TV/Cartoon show, Dinosaur Dig is a tie-in that follows Nick Jr’s Berenstain Bears. In this book, Brother and Sister visit the Bearsonian Museum and find a real dinosaur dig taking place! What sort of fossils will they find?

Tags: boy/man (primary character); boy/man (secondary characters); girl/woman (primary character); girl/woman (secondary characters); language: English; picture book; unspecified sexuality (primary character); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

Richard Scarry's A Day at the Police Station

Follow Sergeant Murphy, Busytown's favourite police officer, as he helps Busytown citizens find their lost items, handle huge traffic jams, and teach the town about safety. Children of all ages will love this fun and exciting story from the one and…

Tags: boy/man (primary character); boy/man (secondary characters); girl/woman (secondary characters); language: English; non-human (primary character); non-human (secondary characters); picture book; unspecified sexuality (primary character); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

Pinkalicious and the Babysitter

Based on the PBS Kids TV series Pinkalicious & Peterrific, Pinkalicious and the Babysitter is a tie-in that follows Maya as she babysits Peter and Pinkalicious. WhenPeter accidentally breaks his mother’s mug, Pinkalicious takes on the challenge…

Tags: boy/man (secondary characters); girl/woman (primary character); girl/woman (secondary characters); human (primary character); human (secondary characters); language: English; picture book; unspecified sexuality (primary character); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters); white, assumed (primary character); white, assumed (secondary characters)

The Night Before Playoffs

"The Night Before Playoffs" is a children's story about the woodland creatures who like to play hockey once the humans are fast asleep. With amazing illustrations, this picture book puts a Canadian twist on the holiday classic "A Visit from St.…

Tags: boy/man (secondary characters); girl/woman (secondary characters); group (characters); language: English; non-human (secondary characters); picture book; unspecified sexuality (primary character); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

The Truck Book

Take a dive into the world of trucks, with over 50 different types of trucks to learn about. Full of colourful illustrations and tons of interesting truck facts, this picture book is an excellent read for any vehicle enthusiast.

Tags: language: English; no characters; picture book

The Paper Boat

A unique wordless picturebook that tells the story of a family's flight from Communist-ruled Vietnam. The images were created from paper craft, and ants are used to parallel the experience of the refugees.

Tags: Asian (secondary character); girl/woman (secondary characters); group (characters); human (secondary characters); language: English; picture book; unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

Little Messy Marcy Su

Marcy Su sets out to clean up her room and herself before her grandparents arrive. By the time they get there, she and her room look great, but the rest of the house is a mess. The delightful picturebook contains elements of Chinese culture…

Tags: Asian (primary character); Asian (secondary character); girl/woman (primary character); girl/woman (secondary characters); human (primary character); human (secondary characters); language: English; picture book; unspecified gender (primary character); unspecified gender (secondary characters); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

We All Play

Animals and Indigenous children play side by side. Cree words are peppered throughout the book, and a glossary at the end provides the Cree names for all of the animals depicted. There is also a guide to Cree pronunciation for those not familiar with…

Tags: group (characters); human (secondary characters); language: Cree; language: English; non-human (primary character); picture book; unspecified gender (secondary characters); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

Lerwill, Ben

A freelance writer and children’s author for over 20 years. Much of his work can be found in national and international magazines, newspapers and websites.

Tags: author; man (author); picture book; white (author)

One Moment in Time: Children Around the World

This book teaches about time zones by telling the story of eleven different children from around the world, documenting what each of them are doing throughout the day at the same point in time.

Tags: group (characters); language: English; picture book; unspecified gender (primary character); unspecified sexuality (primary character)

Wonky Donkey's Big Surprise

A young donkey missing her mother is excited as her father sits her down to give her a surprise. With its funny rhyming words and its charming illustrations, this Children's Choice Award Wonky Donkey sequel tells the tale of a loving family and…

Tags: boy/man (primary character); girl/woman (secondary characters); language: English; non-human (primary character); non-human (secondary characters); picture book; straight (primary character); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites

This is a children’s picture book based on a true story about an American chef of Japanese descent. Niki Nakayama is a famous chef and the reader embarks on an adventure as she faces criticism and as she strives to learn about the culinary arts.

Tags: Asian (primary character); girl/woman (primary character); human (primary character); language: English; picture book; unspecified sexuality (primary character)

Kind

This children's picture book reinforces the importance of showing kindness. It explores various settings and circumstances where there are opportunities to show kindness.

Tags: Arab (secondary characters); Asian (secondary characters); Black/African (secondary characters); group (characters); human (secondary characters); language: English; non-human (secondary characters); picture book; unspecified gender (secondary characters); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters); white, assumed (secondary characters)

The Hockey Sweater

This children's picture book is about hockey and team loyalty. It is a comical story about a boy who is disappointed about receiving a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey jersey instead of a Montreal Canadians hockey jersey.

Tags: boy/man (primary character); boy/man (secondary characters); Christian (primary character); girl/woman (secondary characters); human (primary character); human (secondary characters); language: English; picture book; unspecified gender (secondary characters); unspecified sexuality (primary character); white, assumed (primary character); white, assumed (secondary characters)

Great Too

This fun children's book is about hockey and overcoming challenges in sports. It shows children the importance of teamwork and relying on each other.

Tags: Black/African (secondary characters); boy/man (primary character); boy/man (secondary characters); human (primary character); human (secondary characters); language: English; picture book; unspecified sexuality (primary character); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters); white, assumed (primary character); white, assumed (secondary characters)

The Gruffalo

This fantasy children's picture book is a heartwarming tale of a fearless mouse who is on a quest to find the mighty Gruffalo. It is a classic children's story that encourages curiosity and bravery.

Tags: language: English; non-human (primary character); non-human (secondary characters); picture book; unspecified gender (primary character); unspecified gender (secondary characters); unspecified sexuality (primary character); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

Mother Goose Goes to India

A colourfully illustrated book which combines timeless nursery rhymes with an introduction to Indian culture.

Tags: Asian (secondary characters); boy/man (secondary characters); girl/woman (secondary characters); human (secondary characters); language: English; non-human (primary character); picture book

Bodies Are Cool

This playful picture book celebrates a variety of body types, genders, hair types, and skin colours. It uses friendly images to deliver lessons on body positivity and inclusivity.

Tags: Arab (secondary characters); Asian (secondary characters); Black/African (secondary characters); boy/man (secondary characters); brown skin (secondary characters); girl/woman (secondary characters); group (characters); language: English; multiracial (secondary characters); non-binary (secondary characters); picture book; transgender (secondary characters); unspecified gender (secondary characters); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters); white, assumed (secondary characters)

Peppa’s Pizza Party

It's Pizza Time! Based on the TV/Cartoon show, Peppa’s Pizza Party is a tie-in that follows Nick Jr’s Peppa Pig and her family as they make the dough, prepare the ingredients, and assemble their own homemade pizzas.

Tags: boy/man (secondary characters); girl/woman (primary character); girl/woman (secondary characters); language: English; non-human (primary character); non-human (secondary characters); picture book; unspecified sexuality (primary character); unspecified sexuality (secondary characters)

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