They say that you can’t be what you can’t see. While this isn’t always the case, it is true that providing children with diverse role models helps them envision their possible futures. The following picture books feature main characters from a wide variety of backgrounds doing incredible things.
- Drum Dream Girl, by Margarita Engle. The story of a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who learns to play the bongos for her sisters’ all girl Cuban band. This lyrical book’s gorgeous language is paired with equally stunning illustrations.
- Joan Proctor Dragon Doctor, by Patricia Valdez. Quirky, disabled Joan Proctor was a Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum at a time when women had limited professional opportunities. From the tea parties she throws with her pet lizards to the backdrops she designs for the Komodo dragon habitat, Proctor’s life is full of moments sure to delight children.
- Shark Lady, by Jess Keating. A beautifully illustrated story of Eugenie Clark, a biracial Japanese American woman who defied the odds to become a marine biologist. Packed with fun facts, this book also has a beautiful message about Clark’s love of sharks, and the importance of fighting for those who are misunderstood.
- Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, by Monica Brown. This book uses Frida Kahlo’s pets to tell the life story of this disabled, Mexican artist. Available in both English and Spanish, this is a wonderful introduction to Kahlo and the animals who influenced her art.
- Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez, by Belen Medina. The biography of indigenous Rarámuri runner Lorena Ramírez, who won ultramarathons while competing in her traditional, indigenous clothing.
- Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams, by Lesa Cline-Ransome. The story of how these two legendary Black female athletes not only honed their skills to become champion players, but also faced down discrimination on and off the court.
- Finding My Dance, by Ria Thundercloud. The autobiography of Ho-Chunk and Sandia Pueblo professional dancer Ria Thundercloud, whose extensive dance studies always brought her back to her indigenous roots. A wonderful story about celebrating our family culture.
- Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Ann Cole Lowe, by Deborah Blumenthal. The granddaughter of an enslaved grandmother, Ann Cole Lowe was a Black designer whose dressed celebrities like Jackie Kennedy. A story of talent, perseverance, and grit.
- Salim Mamoo and Me, by Zai Whitaker. Told by famed Indian ornithologist Salim Ali’s niece, this is the story of a girl whose family was obsessed with birds. While it doesn’t feature many details about Ali’s life, it does provide insight into the world of ornithology.
- The Ocean Calls: A Haenyo Mermaid Story, by Tina M. Cho. A Korean girl overcomes her fear of the ocean when she accompanies her grandmother, a traditional Korean free diver, to her job. While this book isn’t focused on a specific person, it does provide a glimpse into a specific professional world.
