After noticing a lack of representation in her childhood books, Marley Dias founded #1000BlackGirlBooks, a campaign to collect 1,000 books with Black girls as the main character. Since it launched in 2016, Marley has collected more than 13,000 books, so she knows a thing or two about what makes a good read. Here, the celebrated reader and activist shares her top 5 diverse kids’ books from Crate & Kids.
A Black Woman Did That written by Malaika Adero and illustrated by Chanté Timothy
“This story showcases 42 different Black women who have changed the world. What more can I say! It’s so great to have stories that recognize the diverse experiences and identities of girls like me.”
Equality’s Call written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Magdalena Mora
“The importance of voting is not taught nearly enough to kids like me who can’t vote, and I love that there's finally an accessible book about this important subject.”
A Taste of the World written and illustrated by Beth Walrond
“My dad is a geographer, so I have always had books full of maps and stories about the world around me. Books about the various cultural practices around the world help kids respect and understand those who are different from them.”
Poems Aloud written by Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett
“Although it is not my personal strong suit, reading and celebrating poetry is a key element of literacy. One of the books that inspired the start of 1000 Black Girl Books was a novel written in verse!”
