5 Children’s Books That Introduce Acceptance
June 03, 2022
This month we are taking a look at some incredible children’s books that thread the theme of acceptance through our children’s lives. Acceptance is a key ingredient in kindness, and helping our kids to recognize their own individuality and the uniqueness of themselves and others. It is a gift that they can take with them across their entire life and a gift that will serve them well.
As June is pride month, and with all of the other noise in the world today, it’s a good time for us to talk to our kids about the meaning of accepting ourselves and others, for exactly who we are.
Here are five books that will help you to initiate this topic at home…
01 // It’s Ok To Be Different by Todd Parr
This picture book, full of brilliantly colorful illustrations has become a hugely helpful resource for speaking to kids about diversity and tolerance. The book demonstrates simple elements of different and uniqueness with the repeating message that being different is ok. This book is for children aged 3 to 6 years old and is a wonderful introduction to character growth, embracing individuality, early literacy and checking into emotions and feelings.
02 // Just Ask - Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor
In Just Ask, United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids, and people of all ages, have. She highlights that feeling different can be incredibly tough, but also shines hope by recognizing that ‘just as a garden needs all different types of flowers and plants to make it beautiful, a community needs all different types of people to make it beautiful too. This book is perfect for children aged 4 to 8 years old and helps encourage children to get involved with their own community to create something really special.
03 // Only One You by Linda Kranz
There’s only one you in this great big world! We love the message of this book, helping children to discover how truly special and unique they are and that their uniqueness can be channeled into helping others and making a difference (…a message that we love to practice at Dumyé!). This book is perfect for children aged 4 to 6 years old and dives into self-acceptance and self-love, along with themes of giving!
04 // We're All Wonders by R.J. Palacio
This is a favorite in our home! Follow Auggie Pullman as he shares what the world is like for him ‘being different’ and his own longing to belong. This New York Times Best Seller covers themes of kindness, belonging and friendship and reminds all of our children that when they look at the world with kindness in their eyes, it is truly a better place for us all. This book is perfect for children at the pre-school level.
05 // Perfectly Normal by Tom Percival
Another favorite! This book is all about finding the courage to be exactly who we are in every single way. Instead of covering up the things that make us stand out, this lovely little book tells a whimsical story of Norman and how he grew wings and learned to be proud of the thing that made him different. This book is perfect for children aged 3 to 6 years old.
There is no doubt about it, growing up and learning to accept ourselves and others can be really challenging. But we know that the more love, kindness and acceptance that is modeled to our children, the better chance they have learning and growing these social-emotional traits. We’d love to know what books you are reading at home to cultivate acceptance and kindness…please get in touch and share with us!
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