Multicultural Board Books

This countdown to bedtime begins with “10 small toes all washed and warm” until one little girl is tucked snugly into bed by her loving dad. Richly hued illustrations, warmly detailed, combine with a straightforward text that holds up to multiple readings as well as careful examination.

Oh, how Peter wished he could whistle to call his dog, Willie. Try as he might, he just couldn’t seem to make the sound come out — until one day he could! The simple description of a child’s yearning is told in natural language and charming collage illustrations.

A boy and his father, shown as African Americans in warmly hued illustrations, enjoy doing everyday activities together, from laundry to sharing a book and more. The simple pleasures of family life are conveyed affectionately through easy but flowing language and realistic paintings in a sturdy format.

In each of these three short, colorfully illustrated stories, the grandmother loves her Little Pumpkin as only a doting grandmother can. Chubby, multi-ethnic children are brightly portrayed in sparkling watercolors.

This story of an Inuit child testing the limits of her independence, and a mother who reassuringly proves that a parents love is unconditional and everlasting. Beautiful illustrations of Alaska and the characters convey the cultural richness of this timeless story.

The cumulative tale of a child’s lost mitten — but found to become home to a host of animals — is told in straightforward language and intricate, bordered illustrations. Now 20 years old, Brett’s interpretation of a Ukrainian folktale will be enjoyed anew.

Who is that beautiful face in the mirror? Why it is baby, held by a loving daddy. This simple yet appealing book is presented in a format appropriate for the youngest reader to hold.

Lilting language and bold shapes in flat colors encourage response as the narration asks who do these knees belong to? And in another book by Asim, your child will discover Whose Toes Are Those? The author’s background as a poet is evident in the simple and evocative writing.

Count people and animals doing what they do on a Caribbean island. From one to ten, the rhyming text combines with brightly colored, child-like illustrations to produce the sense of place and people.

From the opening lines to its satisfying conclusion, readers are introduced to babies from many cultures. Though each child is different, each has some things in common — “ten little fingers & ten little toes.” The rhyming text and repeated phrase make this a wonderful book to share with children of many ages.

Maisy’s favorite animals are introduced in both English and Spanish accompanied by Cousin’s signature illustrations on sturdy pages. Maisy is a familiar character with a simplicity of illustration and text that captivates young children.

Mama, Carmelita, and their dog Manny greet people in their diverse neighborhood as they walk to see Abuela Rosa. Everyone says “hello” but in their own language — ranging from Italian and French to Hebrew and Arabic to slang American greetings. It is Manny’s “woof,” however, that is universal. Textured illustrations make Carmelita’s community familiar and accessible.

Simple sentences connect babies from diverse backgrounds, each portrayed in a full-color photograph on sturdy pages.

Gossie, a small yellow gosling thinks she has lost her favorite red books until she sees them on her friend’s feet. This small board book is presented in Spanish and English.

Join the parade and count from one to ten in Spanish and in English. Numbers and a one-sentence description of the ceramic figures in regional dress from Oaxaca, Mexico are presented in both languages, punctuated by lively folk art figures.

Un conejito cumple un año y celebra con un pastel/torta, una vela y su familia. El libro contiene ilustraciones brillantes que se enfocan en lo básico sobre un cumpleaños para un niño de un año, dejando espacio para una foto y otras notas para recordar la fecha. (La editorial también tiene libros comparables para niños de 2, 3 y 4 años.) Saltitos the rabbit celebrates his first birthday with a cake, a birthday wish, and singing.

Young children will appreciate the game played by children (also in Tickle Tickle) in this sturdy book. Rhyming text and uncluttered illustrations are just right to share with the youngest child.

Even the most active baby or toddler must sleep sometime, and in this story the children “say goodnight.” Similar to Tickle Tickle and All Fall Down, this is a sure hit to share with babies and toddlers.

Cynthia Weill’s book of Mexican folk art teaches kids about opposites in Spanish and English! These whimsical little animals from Oaxaca, carved and painted by hand, make learning about opposites fun. Up and down, tall and short, left and right — all inside a beautiful book.

Chloe is charming child in a red and white polka dot dress who sees kittens everywhere, even dreaming about them. When she awakens, her dream becomes reality and she gets her own kitten. Clean lines and simple language present a satisfying, recognizable story.

The lyrical lullaby begins on the day Kulu was born with, “all of the Arctic Summer was there to greet you.” Each animal bestows on the baby something special, from heritage to instinct. Gentle illustrations in soft hues swirl as each creature embraces the newborn.

A bilingual board book introducing Chinese characters through the animals of the Chinese zodiac. The adventure loving Dragon, the carefree Horse, and the artistic Goat are just three of the 12 Lucky Animals to be found in the Chinese zodiac, rendered here in bright illustrations. Use the wheel on the back cover to help little readers discover who their lucky animal is and how to pronounce its name in Chinese and English.

Provides the English and Cree words for colors, along with the pronunciation.

Photographs of infants on their tummies are accompanied by a brief and reassuring, gently rhyming text. This lively board book unfolds accordion-style and can be placed upright — tummy-time babies will lift their heads to see the beautiful, diverse faces surrounding them.

Every day, everywhere, babies are born. They’re kissed and dressed and rocked and fed — and completely adored by the families that love them. With rhyming text and charming illustrations, this board book is an exuberant celebration of playing, sleeping, crawling, and, of course, very noisy babies doing all the wonderful things babies do best.

Noodles are a universally loved food, from Ash Reshteh in Iran to Zaru Soba in Japan. In this board book shaped to mimic bowls, young children will discover 26 different varieties as they eat their way through the alphabet. With each new letter, a new dish is introduced identifying its country of origin and name written in both English and the country’s native language. 

“Brown sugar baby, dark eyes spark bright with glee … Pie of my eye, stay right here with me.” This lyrical first book in the Brown Sugar Baby series is a celebration of the powerful love and protective, comforting instincts of a mother for her child.