The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates

Published by Simon and Schuster, 2018

This umbrella is big enough to cover everyone. A quick read, great illustrations, and a diverse cast of characters get the conversation on inclusion rolling. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

The Buddy Bench by Patty Brozo, illustrated by Mike Deas

Published by Tilbury House Publishers, 2019

What happens when kids are being left out at recess? This class has a solution: build a buddy bench. When you see someone sitting on the bench, you know they’re looking for a friend. Includes information and additional resources about buddy benches. 36 pages; ages 4-8.

All of Us by Kathryn Erskine, illustrated by Alexander Boiger

Published by Philomel Books, 2021

All kinds of kids are celebrated as they work and play together. A quick read that would be perfect for welcoming kids to a new group. 32 pages; ages 2-8.

Keeping the City Going by Brian Floca

Published by Atheneum, 2021

Delivery people, trash collectors, medical personnel, transit and construction workers: this book celebrates all those who kept things running when the rest of us were inside during the pandemic. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

I’m From by Gary R. Gray, Jr., illustrated by Oge Mora

Published by Balzer + Bray, 2023

A boy goes through his day, recounting the people, places, foods, and events that make him who he is. 40 pages, ages 4-8.

Sal Boat: A Boat by Sal by Thyra Heder

Published by Harry N. Abrams, 2022

Sal is determined to build a boat, but he learns that it’s tough to go it alone, and that a community can help make dreams come true. 48 pages; ages 4-8.

Maple & Rosemary by Alison James, illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann

Published by Neal Porter Books, 2023

Maple the tree and Rosemary the human have a lifelong friendship, learning how to help each other. 48 pages; ages 4-8.

The Cool Bean by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald

Published by HarperCollins, 2019

In this school, the cool kids are also kind, and the bean who’s been feeling kind of uncool appreciates it. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar, illustrated by Alea Marley

Published by Sterling Children’s Books, 2019

Harpreet dresses according to his moods, and a new school has him wearing white every day, trying to fade into the background. But a friendship helps him start dressing in all the colors of the rainbow again. Includes additional information about Sikhism. 32 pages; ages 3-8.

I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët

Published by Schwartz & Wade, 2018

The girl in this wordless story has to figure out what to do when she sees new girl Vanessa getting picked on. The whole school ends up coming together to put an end to the bullying.  Based on a true story. Includes a message for kids about how to help someone who is being bullied and some helpful words for adults to use when talking about the book with children. A follow-up book I Forgive Alex (2022) focuses on forgiveness. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

The Bicycle: How an Act of Kindness Changed a Young Refugee’s Life by Patricia McCormick and Mevan Babakar, illustrated by Yas Imamura

Published by Balzer + Bray, 2024

Mevan tells a story from her childhood as a refugee from Kurdistan, living in the Netherlands, where a kind gift from a friend helps her to feel a part of her new community. 40 pages; grades 1-4.

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jen Hill

Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2018

After her friendly overtures are rebuffed, a girl reflects on what it means to be kind. 32 pages; ages 3-8.

Ways to Play by Lyn Miller-Lachmann, illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo

Published by Levine Querido, 2023

When Bossy Older Cousin Violet comes over, she doesn’t hold back in her opinion: Riley is playing with toys the wrong way and needs to be shown the right way.  But Riley finds his own way to show Violet that there are many ways to play. 32 pages; ages 4-8.

The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023

In this follow-up to The Proudest Blue, Faizah is happy to be heading to school in the red dress that has been worn by both Mama and her older sister Asiya. After her teacher has her class brainstorm what kind of world they want to live in, Faizah is able to put the ideas into practice when Asiya comes to pick her up at the end of the day. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2018

Rhyming text and busy illustrations show a diverse classroom of children and families coming together to form a community. 44 pages; ages 4-8.

Say Something! by Peter H. Reynolds

Published by Orchard Books, 2019

“Some people find it easier to say something than others. But everyone has something to say.” Encourages extroverts and introverts alike to express themselves in a variety of ways. 40 pages; ages 4-9.

You Matter by Christian Robinson

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2020

Even when you feel small, insignificant, or lost, you matter. A quick and reassuring read for every member of the group. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

How to Send a Hug by Hayley Rocco, illustrated by John Rocco

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2022

A girl figures out how to exchange hugs with her grandmother via the U.S. mail. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Hurricane by John Rocco

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2021

After a hurricane, a boy tries to repair his favorite dock, but he can’t do it alone. Just when he’s ready to give up, his parents and neighbors show up and help rebuild it into a place for the whole community. 48 pages; ages 4-8.

Jenny Mei Is Sad by Tracy Subisak

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2021

Sometimes Jenny Mei seems happy. Other times she seems angry. But her friend knows she is sad, and that being sad is hard. Having a good friend can help. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Ethan and the Strays by John Sullivan, illustrated by Hatem Aly

Published by Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2023

Ethan finds a way to help the stray cats in his neighborhood. 32 pages, ages 4-8.

Our LIttle Kitchen by Jillian Tamaki

Published by Harry N. Abrams, 2020

There’s plenty of cheerful energy in this rhyming story about a group of volunteers that meets each week to prepare a community dinner. Includes recipes for vegetable soup and apple crumble. 48 pages; ages 4-8.

Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Hyewon Yum

Published by Neal Porter Books, 2022

While their parents attend ESL classes, a group of kids hang out in the playroom next door. Luli wants to bring them together, so she serves a treat that is universal: tea and cookies. 40 pages; ages 3-7.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

Published by Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018

Four kids feel a little strange on the first day of school, but as time goes on, they start to connect and feel okay about what makes them unique. 32 pages; grades 1-4.