The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates (Simon and Schuster, 2018, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

The Buddy Bench by Patty Brozo, illustrated by Mike Deas (Tilbury House Publishers, 2019, 36 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

All of Us by Kathryn Erskine, illustrated by Alexander Boiger (Philomel Books, 2021, 32 pages, ages 3-7). 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.

Keeping the City Going by Brian Floca (Atheneum, 2021, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

I’m From by Gary R. Gray, Jr., illustrated by Oge Mora (Balzer + Bray, 2023, 40 pages, ages 4-8). A boy goes through his day, recounting the people, places, foods, and events that make him who he is.

Sal Boat: A Boat by Sal by Thyra Heder (Harry N. Abrams, 2022, 48 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

Maple & Rosemary by Alison James, illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann (Neal Porter Books, 2023, 48 pages, ages 4-8).Maple the tree and Rosemary the human have a lifelong friendship, learning how to help each other.

The Cool Bean by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald (HarperCollins, 2019, 40 pages ages 4-8). In this school, the cool kids are also kind, and the bean who’s been feeling kind of uncool appreciates it.

The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar, illustrated by Alea Marley (Sterling Children’s Books, 2019, 32 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët (Schwartz & Wade, 2018, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

The Bicycle: How an Act of Kindness Changed a Young Refugee’s Life by Patricia McCormick and Mevan Babakar, illustrated by Yas Imamura (Balzer + Bray, 2024, 40 pages, grades 1-4). 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.

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jen Hill (Roaring Brook Press, 2018, 32 pages, ages 3-8). After her friendly overtures are rebuffed, a girl reflects on what it means to be kind.

The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2018, 44 pages, ages 4-8). Rhyming text and busy illustrations show a diverse classroom of children and families coming together to form a community.

Say Something! by Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard Books, 2019, 40 pages, ages 4-9). “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.

Hurricane by John Rocco (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2021, 48 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

Jenny Mei Is Sad by Tracy Subisak (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2021, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

Ethan and the Strays by John Sullivan, illustrated by Hatem Aly (Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2023, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Ethan finds a way to help the stray cats in his neighborhood.

Our LIttle Kitchen by Jillian Tamaki (Harry N. Abrams, 2020, 48 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Hyewon Yum (Neal Porter Books, 2022, 40 pages, ages 3-7). 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.

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