Sometimes it feels like there are so many random holidays celebrating just about everything from squirrels to ice cream, but April 2nd is definitely a day worth celebrating because it’s International Children’s Book Day. This day has been celebrated annually since 1967, and its purpose is to inspire a love of reading and bring attention to children’s books for the day.
Sometimes it can be hard as a parent – to figure out how to explain some of the sad things that are currently happening in our country – and I’ve always found books to be a great resource to help start important conversations with my daughter! The following books celebrate family, culture, and the contributions of immigrants here in the United States. They also introduce important topics in an appropriate way for children, fostering empathy, tolerance, acceptance, and community.
Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez
A story about a girl who constantly gets asked “Where are you from?” She struggles to come up with the correct answer, so she reaches out to her Abuelo, who helps her come up with a surprising and beautiful answer.
Themes: Self-acceptance, identity, home
Paloma Flies Away by Maria J. Guarda
Paloma and her family have to leave their home country after a Dictator takes over. Her family goes on an adventure, traveling to a new country that is very different. As Paloma gets older, the family eventually heads back to their home country – but Paloma struggles because she barely remembers where her family came from..
Themes: Home, Family, and Identity during times of change
Not Far From Here by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez
A mom tells a story to her children of their family’s history; how the family started and how previous generations worked to overcome barriers known to many immigrant families.
Themes: family, community, life as an immigrant, heritage
Angélica and la Güira by Angie Cruz
Angélica has spent the summer with her extended family in the Dominican Republic. When it’s time to head back to the United States, her grandfather gives her a güira, a traditional musical instrument that originated in the Dominican Republic. Back home, Angélica is able to share the güira with her neighborhood.
Themes: family, community, culture
Anita and the Dragons by Hannah Carmona
This book tells the story of Anita, a girl who watches “dragons” from the rooftop in her village in the Dominican Republic. It details her adventure as she “rides one of the dragons” to a foreign land that will become her new home.
Themes: love for one’s homeland, courage it takes to immigrate, feelings associated with immigration
Themes: love for one’s homeland, courage it takes to immigrate, feelings associated with immigration
With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez
The story of a girl named Rocio, who grew up in Central America, but then moves to the United States. As Rocio is adjusting to her new home, she realizes that she misses many things from her homeland, especially her Abuela. Luckily her Abuela is able to send a very special birthday gift to Rocio!
Themes: family, community, culture, immigrating as a child
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
The story of Yuyi Morales, a woman who moves to the United States with her infant son. Even though she left behind almost everything she owned, she still arrived with her hopes, passion, stories, and strength.
Themes: family, self-discovery, life of an Immigrant
I Wish You Knew by Jackie Azúa Kramer
I Wish You Knew tells the story of what life is like for Estrella after her father is deported, and how she is able to find comfort within her community at school.
Themes: empathy, deportation, divided families, connection within a community
Something Happened to My Dad: A Story about Immigration and Family Separation by Ann Hazzard and Vivianna Aponte Rivera
Carmen loves the connection she has with her father, but one day he is detained for being an undocumented immigrant. At first the family keeps everything a secret, but as the community learns about what happened to the father, they rally around Carmen and her family with love and support.
Themes: family, detainment due to documentation status, connection, community support
Free to Learn: How Alfredo Lopez Fought for the Right to Go to School by Cynthia Levinson
Alfredo Lopez can’t wait to start second grade, but then he’s told that he has to stay home. His school district in Texas decided that unless a family could provide proof of citizenship, they would have to pay for their children to attend public school. Free to Learn tells the story of how 4 undocumented families fought against this rule, with a legal battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court.
Themes: human rights, education, the rights of a child, family
My Language Rights: a child’s right to their language by Judy Thompson
A story that helps young readers learn about multilingual communities and linguistic rights. Children have the right to speak and learn in other languages, because words in someone’s mother tongue represent their heritage and cultural identity.
Themes: human rights, cultural identity, family, language, heritage
Are there any books you would add to my International Children’s Book Day list?
