Our 10 Current Fav Inclusivity Books (Ages Womb to Infinity)
Updated: Aug 25, 2022
Heck yes! We love to read books and listen to books. We love to learn more about ourselves and our innermost workings, and we love to learn how we can advocate for a world that holds equitable space for all.
At Inclusive We, we think that the road towards inclusivity, understanding it, and advocating for it is a necessary journey for all and should absolutely begin at a young age. So here's some of our current favorite reads that discuss inclusivity, diversity, and belonging.
Ages 1-6 + everyone else
1. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold & Illustrator Suzanne Kaufman
Follow along with a group of children as they make their way through a school day where everyone is treated equally as well as welcomed and embraced for their unique qualities and various life backgrounds. This text explores & celebrates inclusivity, diversity, and belonging in a school setting that emulates a beautiful example of what safe space should look like for all people.
2. Antiracist Baby by Ibram X Kendi & Illustrator Ashley Lukashevsky
An epic introduction via a beautifully illustrated picture book for ages 1-6, and honestly all age groups, to the concept, understanding, and implementation of antiracism. Follow the Antiracist Baby's nine easy steps for empowering communities to uproot racism and build a world with equity for all. We must begin the journey towards inclusivity at a young age, so this is the perfect read to introduce these concepts at a young age with heart warming imagery.
3. The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad & Illustrator Hatem Aly
Follow Faith and Asiya on a journey through their first day of school AND Asiya's first day of hijab. This incredibly illustrated book sheds light on the perspective and experience of wearing one's hijab and the criticism and exclusivity faced due to a lack of acceptance. The love between these siblings and the strength displayed amongst them will absolutely warm the soul whilst magnifying the immense need for and importance of representation and inclusion for all and absolutely what NOT to do when we interact with people from all walks of life. This book is a sweet reminder to teach your teens at a young age to choose inclusivity and understanding over judgment and criticism.
Teens
4. And She Was by Jessica Verdi
A riveting portrayal of teen Dara's relationship with her mom and journey to discovering herself upon finding out that her mother is transgender. This is a coming-of-age story that is as much about Dara’s mother as it is about Dara.
A front row view into the life and mental health of Sparrow, a gifted African American girl, that explores the complexities of trauma, adolescence, belonging, and inclusion. Follow Sparrow as she reveals her innermost thought cycles and feelings and discovers news ways in which to approach and express those.
6. Same But Different by Holly Robinson Peete, RJ Peete, & Ryan Elizabeth Peete
In this powerful book, teenagers Ryan Elizabeth Peete and her twin brother, Rodney, who has autism, share their up-close-and-personal experiences on what it means to be a teen living with autism. This text highlights the challenges and benefits of having autism, and how these teens navigate school life, family life, and friendship while simultaneously providing representation and understanding for those exploring these hardships and triumphs personally; as well as, ways in which to advocate for folks with disabilities.
Adults
7. How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi
“The most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind.”—The New York Times
Yet another educational and insightful read by Ibram X Kendi. This is a nonfiction text that combines social commentary and memoir and discusses antiracism from the most basic concepts of how to acknowledge racism to the visionary possibilities within what it takes to actively oppose racism within all facets of our system and communities. Acknowledging one's part in systemic oppression is a monumental first step in a system that wants to keep us blinded. This is a MUST read for those looking to further educate themselves on how to spot racism, unlearn it, and advocate for true justice.
8. Feminism Is For Everybody by Bell Hooks
We love us some Bell Hooks, and we certainly believe that feminism is for everybody. If you want to know how and why, check it out here. In this text, Hooks introduces us to feminism and encourages us to see how it can change all lives. Feminism is, in fact, for everybody as it is stands to eliminate injustice, oppression, and sexism which is of benefit to us all.
9. On Intersectionality by Kimberlé Crenshaw
A series of essays and articles written by the most brilliant, groundbreaking scholar who coined the term "intersectionality". This work defines and explores the concept of intersectionality, "a term she coined to speak to the multiple social forces, social identities, and ideological instruments through which power and disadvantage are expressed and legitimized." If you're interested in feminism or identify as feminist and don't understand intersectionality and it's importance, we highly recommend checking out Crenshaw's work as there can be no true justice without understanding and accepting the role of intersectionality in advocation work.
10. Life Isn't Binary by Alex Iantaffi & Barker
This is a wonderful piece that encourages deep self reflection on how we understand the world around us as well as ourselves, and how that influences our day to day life. Iantaffi and Barker insightfully challenge the concept of binary by using bisexual and non-binary gender experiences to illuminate and address the key issues with thinking in a binary way regarding relationships, emotion, bodies, mental health, and identity. They also offer tools in which to help us experience life in a more non-binary way.
So there you have it. A wee look at our current top inclusivity based reads. We hope this was helpful when considering your next book to snuggle up to or read/play to your children before bed. We understand that having access to purchase or acquire these texts is a privilege, but if you are currently looking to purchase any of the books listed above you can simply click on the titles in bold, and that should take you straight to where you can purchase. All of these texts are also available on Audible if reading isn't accessible!
Happy Reading. Happy Learning. Happy Healing.
WEAR THE MESSAGE. FUND THE CHANGE.
Note: The above links are Amazon affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, inclusiveWe will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. These commissions help support our small business in paying our amazing and hard working team members, funding community outreach events, and our bigger mission of forming a nonprofit that teaches inclusivity to K-12.