Description
Searching for and Locating Diverse Children's Books
This section is organized into three boxes:
- The first, "Library Catalogs," contains links to and descriptions of library catalogs that can be used to locate books in local, public libraries.
- The second, "Booklists," contains links to various websites that offer Booklists specifically curated for users searching for diverse children's books. Some of the resources in this second section can be found under the "Websites and Organizations" page, but this page will only contain direct links to the Booklist offerings.
- The third, "Books to Start Diversifying Your Child's Reading," is a list of books compiled from various sources meant to offer an array of diverse offerings to begin diversifying your child's reading.
Library Catalogs
WorldCat
WorldCat is an online library catalog that searches multiple libraries simultaneously, making it more likely a user will find what they need. Unlike public library databases, WorldCat also searches University libraries, which allows for a wider scope when searching for material, especially hard-to-find items.
There are, however, some limitations when using WorldCat. A test search for the book “Carmela Full of Wishes” by Matt De la Peña and Christian Robinson did not show the book’s availability at any Mid-Hudson Libraries, yet a search of the MHLS Digital Catalog showed the books is available at 21 libraries. Users who are members of the Mid-Hudson Library System would be advised to check the MHLS Digital Catalog first, and use WorldCat as an alternative if MHLS does not have the item they are looking for.
- WorldCat Classic
Collection of all the FirstSearch databases subscribed to by the University Libraries including ArticleFirst, PapersFirst, ProceedingsFirst, World Almanac, WorldCat, and some subject databases.
Mid-Hudson Library System Digital Catalog
After using the booklists and recommendations found within this LibGuide to find books of interest, users are encouraged to use the Mid-Hudson Library System's Digital Catalog to search the titles and request the books through their local library.
Users who are unfamiliar with the Mid-Hudson Library System's Digital Catalog should contact their local library branch for assistance.
Booklists
The following Booklists are not meant to be exhaustive resources. Many of the lists are organized by topic, and some are further organized by grade level / age range. Each of these lists, however, is fairly short, including an average of less than 20 books. This is why it is important to gather resources from multiple sources, and the purpose of this LibGuide is to make the task of exploring multiple sources easier.
The following Booklists are not meant to be exhaustive resources. Many of the lists are organized by topic, and some are further organized by grade level / age range. Each of these lists, however, is fairly short, including an average of less than 20 books. This is why it is important to gather resources from multiple sources, and the purpose of this LibGuide is to make the task of exploring multiple sources easier.
The following Booklists are not meant to be exhaustive resources. Many of the lists are organized by topic, and some are further organized by grade level / age range. Each of these lists, however, is fairly short, including an average of less than 20 books. This is why it is important to gather resources from multiple sources, and the purpose of this LibGuide is to make the task of exploring multiple sources easier.
The following Booklists are not meant to be exhaustive resources. Many of the lists are organized by topic, and some are further organized by grade level / age range. Each of these lists, however, is fairly short, including an average of less than 20 books. This is why it is important to gather resources from multiple sources, and the purpose of this LibGuide is to make the task of exploring multiple sources easier.
The following Booklists are not meant to be exhaustive resources. Many of the lists are organized by topic, and some are further organized by grade level / age range. Each of these lists, however, is fairly short, including an average of less than 20 books. This is why it is important to gather resources from multiple sources, and the purpose of this LibGuide is to make the task of exploring multiple sources easier.
Books to Start Diversifying Your Child's Reading
This list of recommended books is in alphabetical order by title instead of author.
Bonus:
A book for adults! While this book is directed towards teachers and educators, parents/guardians/caregivers are their child's first teacher. Diversity is a topic that does not exist solely when children are in school. The world around is a diverse place, and children should be encouraged to embrace and celebrate that diversity in all facets of their lives. This book will guide parents/guardians/caregivers to help have conversations with their children about diversity and equity.