Celebrating Diversity Awareness Month
April is Diversity Month, a time to recognize and celebrate other cultures and populations. By celebrating the unique cultures, backgrounds and traditions of others, we can gain a greater appreciation for the diversity that surrounds us. Click here for a Teams background.
Here are 3 different ways to celebrate and learn with your family through doing crafts, watching movies, and reading books:
Diversity-related Crafts
Diversity-related Movies
Diversity-related Children’s Books
“Julian is a Mermaid” by Jessica Love: This book tells the story of a boy who wants to become a mermaid and participate in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade.
“My Heart Fills with Happiness” by Monique Gray Smith: This book was created to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy.
“Feast for 10” by Cathryn Falwell: A counting book that features an African-American family shopping for food, preparing dinner, and sitting down to eat.
“All the Colors of the Earth” by Sheila Hamanaka: Celebrate the colors of children and the colors of love — not black or white or yellow or red, but roaring brown, whispering gold, tinkling pink, and more.
“Scaredy Kate” by Jacob Grant: Kate has a problem. She’s terrified of her aunt’s big bulldog. Kate’s aunt calls the dog Cookie. Kate calls it a monster! This story is attuned to the sensibilities of young children.
“What to Do with a Rebozo” by Carmen Tafolla: In a playful celebration of vibrant culture, a young girl and her family show all the things they do in their daily lives with a rebozo, a traditional Mexican woven shawl. Lively prose and rich illustrations honor a warm and colorful cultural icon. You can do almost anything with a rebozo — and a little imagination!
“Please Baby Please” by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee: From moments fussy to fond, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, producer Tonya Lewis Lee, present a behind-the-scenes look at the chills, spills, and unequivocal thrills of bringing up baby!
“Pink is for Boys” by Robb Pearlman: An empowering and educational picture book that proves colors are for everyone, regardless of gender. Pink is for boys … and girls … and everyone.
“F is for Feelings” by Goldie Millar and Lisa A. Berger: We all feel many different emotions every day. For young children, those feelings can be extra strong, and sometimes, children need help finding the words to describe how they feel and what it means.
“Mrs. Katz and Tush” by Patricia Polacco: In this special Passover story, Larnel Moore, a young African-American boy, and Mrs. Katz, an elderly Jewish woman, develop an unusual friendship through their mutual concern for an abandoned cat named Tush. Together they explore the common themes of suffering and triumph in each of their cultures.
“Fathers Walk” by Margaret Bernstein: This is the third book in Margaret Bernstein’s series of read-aloud stories, all of which depict a fun day spent by a father and his child. The book is a tribute to the annual Fathers Walk, also known as the Million Fathers March. It’s a day when fathers walk their children into school and pledge to stay involved for the school year.
“Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry & Vashti Harrison: It’s up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters.
“Mixed Me!” By Taye Diggs: Mike has awesome hair. He has LOTS of energy! His parents love him. And Mike is a PERFECT blend of the two of them.
“Abuela” by Arthur Dorros: This book is from the point of view of a little girl named Rosalba and her Abuela, which means ” grandma” in Spanish. They celebrate their home and relationship!
“Dream Big, Little One” by Vashti Harrison: A board book that talks about the accomplishments of famous Black Women like Ella Fitzgerald, Katherine Johnson, Maya Angelou, Josephine Baker, Mae Jemison, and more.
“Antiracist Baby” by Ibram X. Kendi: A board book written by a lead anti-racists activist and best-selling author.
“The Proudest Blue” by Ibtihaj Muhammad: With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It’s the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it’s her older sister Asiya’s first day of hijab–a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.