It's Okay to be Different

Children's fiction books to explore and celebrate differences.

Updated May 30, 2023
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A friend for Henry
Bailey, Jenn
Paper Book
A 2020 Schneider Family Honor Book A heartwarming picture book that explores the experience of autism and the power of friendship.  In Classroom Six, second left down the hall, Henry has been on the lookout for a friend. A friend...
Big
Harrison, Vashti
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal! A Coretta Scott King Award Author and Illustrator Honor book, a National Book Award finalist, and a New York Times bestseller! This deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance,...
You matter
Robinson, Christian
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Five starred reviews! Named Best Book of the Year by Barnes & Noble, The New York Times/New York Public Library, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal They All Saw a Cat...
Happy in our skin
Manushkin, Fran
Paper Book
Is there anything more splendid than a baby's skin? For families of all stripes comes a sweet celebration of what makes us unique--and what holds us together. Look at you! You look so cute in your brand-new birthday suit. Just savor...
The name jar
Choi, Yangsook.
Paper Book
The new kid in school needs a new name! Or does she? Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of...
Neither
Anderson, Airlie
Paper Book
In this touching story that celebrates the differences in all of us, a little creature that's not quite a bird and not quite a bunny--it's "neither"--searches for a place to fit in. In the Land of This and That, there are only two kinds: blue bunnies and yellow birds. But one...
The smart cookie
John, Jory
Paper Book
An Instant New York Times Bestseller! Be a smart cookie--and don't miss the fifth picture book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Food Group series from creators Jory John and Pete Oswald!  This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries,...
A friend for Henry
Bailey, Jenn
Paper Book
Out of my mind
Draper, Sharon M.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller for three years and counting! "A gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes." --School Library Journal (starred review) "Unflinching and realistic." --KirkusReviews (starred...
Mixed : a colorful story
Chung, Arree
Paper Book
The reds, the yellows, and the blues all think they're the best in this vibrant, thought-provoking picture book from Arree Chung, with a message of acceptance and unity. In the beginning, there were three colors . . . Reds, Yellows, and...
Can I play too?
Cotterill, Samantha
Paper Book
Friendship--and trains!--take center stage in this gentle, inviting story about paying attention to other people's feelings. Two boys' fun train-track-building project takes a turn when one of the boys obliviously insists on only doing things his way. Their disagreement spells...
I talk like a river
Scott, Jordan
Paper Book
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner What if words got stuck in the back of your mouth whenever you tried to speak? What if they never came out the way you wanted them to? Sometimes it takes a change of perspective to get...
Fifty-four things wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers
Carter, Caela
Paper Book
From the critically acclaimed author of the ALA Notable and Charlotte Huck Honor Book Forever, or a Long, Long Time comes a moving own-voices story that shines a light on how one girl's learning differences are neither right nor wrong...just perfectly individual. For fans of Alyson Gerber,...
Just ask! : be different, be brave, be you
Sotomayor, Sonia
Paper Book
Justice Sonia Sotomayor and award-winning artist Rafael Lopez create a kind and caring book about the differences that make each of us unique. A #1 New York Times bestseller! Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award! Feeling different,...
The world needs who you were made to be
Gaines, Joanna
Paper Book
In the #1 New York Times bestseller, The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be, Joanna Gaines celebrates how creativity and acceptance can come together to make for a bright and beautiful adventure. The book, illustrated by Julianna Swaney, follows a group of children as they each...
Tomatoes in my lunchbox
Manoli, Costantia
Paper Book
A moving picture book from a debut author about the first day of school, layered with themes about the immigrant experience and the universal experience of feeling out of place. A child, newly arrived in another country, feels displaced, lonely, and a little scared on her first...
My monster and me
Hussain, Nadiya
Paper Book
From the winner of The Great British Baking Show and star of Nadiya's Time to Eat comes a heartfelt story to help give children and parents the tools they need to talk about worries and anxiety. A touching story about a little boy whose worry monster follows him...
The smart cookie
John, Jory
Paper Book
Where are you from?
Me ndez, Yamile Saied
Paper Book
This resonant and award-winning picture book tells the story of one girl who constantly gets asked a simple question that doesn't have a simple answer. A great conversation starter in the home or classroom--a book to share, in the spirit of I Am Enough by Grace Byers and...
Where are you from?
M©?ndez, Yamile Saied
Paper Book
When a girl is asked where she's from-where she's really from-none of her answers seems to be the right one. Unsure about how to reply, she turns to her loving abuelo for help. He doesn't give her the response she expects. She gets an even better one. Where am I from? You're from hurricanes and dark...
¿De dónde eres?
Méndez, Yamile Saied
Paper Book
Silver Medalist for Bank Street College of Education's Best Spanish Language Picture Books of the Year ^ Named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2019 ^ Named one of New York Public Library's Top Ten Los Mejores Libros para Pequeños list ^ Named one of New York...
We're all wonders
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
The New York Times bestseller that celebrates kindness, belonging, and friendship. Inspired by the unforgettable blockbuster book and movie Wonder, this is the perfect graduation gift for kids of all ages, plus a great choice for baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings!<...
We're all wonders
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
The New York Times bestseller that celebrates kindness, belonging, and friendship. Inspired by the unforgettable blockbuster book and movie Wonder, this is the perfect graduation gift for kids of all ages, plus a great choice for baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings!<...
Wonder : todos somos u nicos
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
Un precioso cuento ilustrado que traslada las enseñanzas de Wonder. La lección de August, el fenómeno editorial y educativo que ya ha llegado a millones de lectores, a los más pequeños.  Una historia deliciosa, sencilla y amable que ilustra la importancia de la diversidad<...
You matter
Robinson, Christian
Paper Book
In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored-from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they're feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a...
Be a friend
Yoon, Salina
Paper Book
From Geisel Honor-winning author/illustrator Salina Yoon comes a lush, heartwarming story of unbreakable friendship and celebrating what makes you unique. Dennis is an ordinary boy who expresses himself in extraordinary ways. Some children do show-and-tell. Dennis mimes his....
My footprints
Phi, Bao
Paper Book
Every child feels different in some way, but Thuy feels "double different." She is Vietnamese American and she has two moms. Thuy walks home one winter afternoon, angry and lonely after a bully's taunts. Then a bird catches her attention and sets Thuy on an imaginary exploration.
Mascot
John, Antony
Paper Book
This witty, heartfelt story about perseverance in the face of adversity is perfect for fans of R. J. Palacio, Cammie McGovern, and John David Anderson.  Noah Savino has been stuck in a wheelchair for months. He hates the way people treat him like he's helpless now. He's...
Out of my mind
Draper, Sharon M.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times BestsellerFrom multiple award-winning author Sharon Draper comes a story that will forever change how we all look at anyone with a disability, perfect for fans of RJ Palacio's Wonder.Eleven-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can't walk. She can't talk. She can't write....
The kindest red : a story of hijab and friendship
Muhammad, Ibtihaj
Paper Book
The sequel to the acclaimed New York Times bestseller The Proudest Blue shows the power of friendship and kindness, from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad. It's picture day and Faizah can't wait to wear her special red dress with matching hair...
The only black girls in town
Colbert, Brandy
Paper Book
Beach loving surfer Alberta has been the only black girl in town for years. Alberta's best friend Laramie is the closest thing she has to a sister but there are some things even she can't understand. When the Bed and Breakfast next door finally finds new owners, Alberta is ecstatic to learn the...
Lucas at the Paralympics
Plohl, Igor
Paper Book
Introduce your child to the Paralympics--where physically disabled world-class athletes exemplify strength, determination, and courage. Lucas and Eddie, two physically disabled friends, visit the Paralympics and cheer on blind and physically challenged athletes as they compete in...

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