Many Cultures, Many Stories: Celebrating Our Diverse Community Through Books
When children read and hear stories about all kinds of people, their world gets bigger and brighter. They grow to become more curious, understanding and empathetic people.
Our “Many Cultures, Many Stories” book wall rotates each month, highlighting a curated collection of children’s books focused on various themes throughout the year.
The next time you’re at the museum, stop by the book wall and take a moment to read a new story together with your child. Or, use the book lists below to help your child expand their world from home.
FEBRUARY – Black History Month
Thank you to MN BIPOC Kidlit Creators and Picture Book Parade for curating this month's book selection.
Board Books
Birds Sing Their Words by Mélina Mangal
Trees Stand Tall by Mélina Mangal
Wind Whirls by Mélina Mangal
Squirrels Scamper by Mélina Mangal
Picture Books for Young Readers
We Miss You, George Floyd by Shannon Gibney
Sam and the Incredible African and American Food Fight by Shannon Gibney
Everything a Drum by Sarah Warren
When River Stopped Singing to Cloud by Abdullahi Janno*
Saturday Morning at the Shop by Keenan Jones
Looking for Happy by Ty Chapman
James Finds the Beat by Ty Chapman
Sarah Rising by Ty Chapman
Jayden’s Impossible Garden by Mélina Mangal
Jayden's Secret Ingredient by Mélina Mangal
Gumbo Joy by Robert Dixon Jr.*
Wiil Waal: A Somali Folktale by the Somali Bilingual Book Project
The Lion’s Share by the Somali Bilingual Book Project
The Travels of Igal Shidaad by the Somali Bilingual Book Project
Dhegdheer: A Scary Somali Folktale by Marian Hassan/MN Humanities Center
Can’t Nobody Make a Sweet Potato Pie Like Our Mama! by Rose McGee
My Mommy is a School Teacher by Nasra Noor*
Beyoncé: Shine Your Light by Sarah Warren
The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands by T. Mycheal Rambo*
In Search of the Gingerbread Man by Timi Bliss*
Where We Come From by Shannon Gibney, Sun Yung Shin, John Coy and Diane Wilson
Black Boy, Black Boy by Crown Shepherd*
Black Girl, Black Girl by Crown Shepherd*
Red’s Adventures: The Egg Pie by Donna Gingery*
Picture Books for Older Readers (ages 7-11)
Stacey Abrams: Lift Every Voice by Sarah Warren
The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just by Mélina Mangal
Stokes: The Brief Career of the NBA’s First Black Superstar by Ty Chapman and John Coy
Justice Makes a Difference by Dr. Artika Tyner*
Revolutions Are Made of Love by Mélina Mangal and Sun Yung Shin
*Independently published titles
MARCH – Women History Month
Thank you to Saint Paul Public Library for curating this month's book selection. Visit Saint Paul Public Library at sppl.org.
Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by Anika Denise
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Denise
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle
Make A Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins by Traci N.Todd
Beyonce: Shine Your Light by Sarah Warren
Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer by Carole Boston Weatherford
The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder by Cree Drummer and Activist by Deidre Havrelock
Maya’s Song by Renée Watson
Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud
Maya Lin: Artist-architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World by Vashti Harrison
Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles by Michelle Meadows
All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson by Carole Boston Weatherford