Unhei has moved to the United States from Korea. She worries that her classmates will have difficulty pronouncing her name and considers choosing an American name instead. This story creates an opportunity to talk with your child about names, identity, belonging, and why learning to pronounce someone's name is so important.

​

Talk about it:

Why do you think Unhei thought about changing her name?

​

What can we do when we meet someone whose name is unfamiliar to us?

Two young boys, one in the USA and one in India, become pen pals. They discover that their lives have a lot in common even though their homes, schools, and communities may look different.

​

Talk about it:

What is something that might be different about a child's life in another part of the world?

 

What might be the same?

Shoshi and her family prepare for Shabbat in Uganda. As she hurries to prepare for dinner, Shoshi learns that spending time with family and friends is what truly matters.

​

Talk about it:

What are some special ways you spend time with family and friends?

 

Does your family have any traditions that bring everyone together?

Joe just wants to play at the playground, but all of the other children keep asking what happened to his leg. Did a lion eat it? Did a burglar steal it? Eventually the children realize that having time to play is more important than knowing the answer.

​

Talk about it:

Have you ever met someone who navigates the world differently than you?

 

What are some ways we can get to know someone without focusing on what makes them different?

Stella’s class is having a Mother’s Day celebration, but Stella has two dads and isn’t sure whom to bring. She finds a creative solution by inviting the people in her family who love and care for her. This book celebrates the many different ways a family can look while showing that the love they share is what makes a family special.

​

Talk about it:

What makes a family a family?

 

How can families be different from one another but still have things in common?

This story is about a Black father learning to style his daughter Zuri’s hair for a special day. Hair Love celebrates confidence, family love, and embracing what makes each of us unique and beautiful.

​

Talk about it:

What is something about you that makes you unique?

​

What is a special quality of yours that makes you feel proud?

Faizah watches her sister wear her hijab to school with pride, yet other children do not understand the beauty behind it. The story gives a child-friendly introduction to religious and cultural differences while also exploring confidence, family, and belonging.

​

Talk about it:

What would you do if you heard someone making fun of something that was important to another person?

Maria is excited to spend Christmas Eve with her family as they make tamales for their holiday celebration. When Maria realizes that her mother’s diamond ring has gone missing while they are cooking, she and her cousins try to eat their way out of trouble by searching for the lost ring, eating one tamale at a time!

 

Talk about it:

What are some special traditions your family has for Christmas Eve or another holiday you celebrate?

 

What special foods does your family prepare and share during the holidays?

A little girl navigates life while living in two separate homes; sometimes with her mom and sometimes with her dad. No matter where she is, she always has her best friend Fred, her furry companion who provides her with comfort, stability, and love.

​

Talk about it:

Families can live in many different ways. What are some things that make you feel safe and comfortable when things around you change?

​

Who or what is always there for you?

A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from some of her classmates. Instead of wanting to change them, she learns of the family connections, beauty, and history reflected in her eyes that kiss at the corners.

 

Talk about it:

What are some things about you that connect you to your family?