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Diverse Books For All Ages

Books That Celebrate Every Story, Every Voice, Every Child

Writer's pictureHelping Kids Rise

Baby Love: The 7 Best Baby Board Books to Read Right Now

Black child giving a mother a handmade card with a heart on it -The Best Diverse Children's and Picture Books for Mother's Day

Reading to babies is crucial for their cognitive development and language acquisition. It introduces them to new words, sounds, and ideas, fostering early literacy skills.


Regular reading sessions also strengthen the parent-child bond, promote imagination, and lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.


Build a love of learning and reading with these fun, engaging, sturdy books made just for babies.


The board books featured here were all published in 2023 and provide a rich and inclusive reading experience for babies. For your convenience, we've included publisher's descriptions along with each book.

New York Times bestselling and award-winning duo Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney create a joyful and beautiful ode to all bright brown baby boys -- the fifth title in our acclaimed Bright Brown Baby series!


Baby boy. Precious boy. Yes! You're a STAR!


A joyful, poetic celebration and ode to all bright brown baby boys. With bouncing, rhythmic text from New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney and tender, charming illustrations from Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator Brian Pinkney, this tender affirmation is the perfect way to rejoice and teach your child that they truly are a star!


This board book is part of the Bright Brown Baby publishing program, a celebration of Black and brown joy, babies, and families. And if you're looking for a gift-able picture book, be sure to also check out the beautiful picture book treasury, Bright Brown Baby, to read "Baby Boy, You're a Star!" alongside four more poems. Just-right for new and expectant parents, baby showers, birthdays, graduations, and more! This is a perfect addition to every child's growing Bright Brown Baby bookshelf!



ABC Black History and Me presents 26 historical concepts, events, and people--from A to Z--that are important in Black American history.


From A is for Advocate to Z is for Zest, each letter of the alphabet is paired with inspirational historical concepts in this 9x9-inch board book. Along with the upbeat, rhyming text covering both well-known and more obscure topics, are colorful illustrations that promote an excitement and curiosity about Black American history. Covering trailblazers from A to Z but also chronologically, this book features a visual timeline with additional information for more in-depth learning on the people, places, and events discussed.


From Harriet Tubman and Fanny Jackson Coppin to Amanda Gorman and Ketanji Brown Jackson, ABC Black History and Me covers more than 170 years in a short board book appropriate for the little ones. This book is not only perfect for getting toddlers comfortable with their ABCs, but also for reflecting on how we are all affected by this history and how even the youngest of children will affect the future.


With age-appropriate concepts and visuals, ABC Black History and Me is a perfect discussion starter for the whole family. Even adults will find something to learn in this board book!



Ally Baby Can is a rhyming paper-over-board picture book series that introduces allyship and activism to tiny changemakers!


In Ally Baby Can: Be an Eco-Activist, readers will learn effective ways to save our best friends: humanity, wildlife, and planet earth. Ally Baby Can models how young kids can stand up for our planet, and all who live here, and make environmentally friendly choices.


Extensive back matter includes important guidelines for action, a kid-friendly reading list, and other helpful resources for baby and you.

It is never too early to learn about ways to change our world.



Celebrate family love with this heartwarming and soulful bedtime book perfect for toddlers 1-3!


Shoo-be-do-wop along with your little one as you introduce them to the legendary music of the Motown era. Heartfelt text and whimsical illustrations will touch the hearts of sentimental parents and grandparents and will ensure little ones enjoy a jazzy drift off to dreamland. Sugar Pie Lullaby also includes delightful facts so that kids and caregivers can learn more about Motown legends together!


Baby love,

Little bitty precious one,

I was born to love you.

What else is there to do?

You are the sunshine of my life.

Morning, noon and night

All I do is thank God for you.



A First Folktale from the creators of Magnolia Flower, Zora Neale Hurston and Ibram X. Kendi, about the origin of butterflies.


The Creator wuz all finished and thru makin' de world.


But soon, the Creator finds themselves flying through the sky, making gorgeous butterflies of every color, shape, and size.


Find out why butterflies were made in Zora Neale Hurston's stunning and layered African American folktale retold by #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-winning author Ibram X. Kendi and illustrated by Kah Yangni. This accessible and sizable board book is perfect for introducing the youngest of readers to the beauty of Hurston's storytelling and will spark curiosity in children about how things in our world came to be.



An exciting ABC board book featuring Black women musicians whose artistry and activism globally changed the way we hear and interact with music, one song at a time.


Spotlighting 26 Black women in music, A is for Aretha is a celebration of the contributions they made not only within their industry but also of the social causes that often underpinned their music. Within these pages are women whose music encouraged joy and self-love, advocated for racial justice, buoyed civil rights protests, and trailblazed paths for Black creatives that are still felt to this day.


This board book is a perfect gift for a baby shower or the youngest music fan.



A celebration of Juneteenth for babies and toddlers!


Let's Celebrate Juneteenth Board Book from Mudpuppy is a wonderful introduction to Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States on June 19th commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Colorful illustrations show various ways people celebrate the anniversary of freedom for all!


  • Celebratory Message - This book introduces young children to this important commemorative holiday and opens the door to understanding that not everyone was or is free.

  • Bright and Bold Artwork - Bright and colorful illustrations on 26 pages will make this a happy and rewarding experience for toddlers to experience and understand inclusion.

  • Perfect Size - Small 7" x 7" board book is just the size for little hands.

  • Great Gift Idea - This board book makes a wonderful gift for birthdays and special occasions all year through.

 

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