Diverse Stories for Kids

Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa, amazing Africa. She’s surrounded by so many family members she can’t count them, in a wonderful old house with a garden in a compound in a big city. Follow Anna as she runs away to escape hair-braiding day (and gets in a terrible tangle)!

Welcome to Diverse Stories for Kids- a read along series celebrating the unique experiences and perspectives from all walks of life! Watch with us on YouTube or listen with us on Spotify.

Every day, Rupa's grandmother wears a beautiful Indian sari. Each is brightly colored and very pretty. "Don't you ever want to wear a gray skirt and red blouse with round buttons like Mommy or a green dress like me?" Rupa asks. But Dadima prefers to wear her traditional saris.
Dadima shares all the wonderful things that saris can do—from becoming an umbrella in a rainstorm to providing a deep pouch to carry seashells. Soon Rupa's own imagination is sparked as she envisions saris protecting her in the scary Gir Jungle, bandaging up an injured knee, and holding a special secret for her and Dadima to share.

Welcome to Diverse Stories for Kids- a read along series celebrating the unique experiences and perspectives from all walks of life! Watch with us on YouTube or listen with us on Spotify.

Being the new kid is hard. And wearing something that might seem odd to other kids is even harder.
Rostam and Maman recently moved to the United States, and Baba is still working in Iran. Now it’s picture day at school, and Rostam doesn’t want to wear his pusteen. Even though Baba wore it when he was little, and it’s beautiful and soft, Rostam worries that the other kids will think it’s weird.
But sometimes being brave means sharing your whole self with others.

Welcome to Diverse Stories for Kids- a read along series celebrating the unique experiences and perspectives from all walks of life! Watch with us on YouTube or listen with us on Spotify.

Priya lives in the United States and her family is from India. She feels the magic of the place her family comes from through her Babi Ba's colorful descriptions of India--from the warm smell of spices to the swish-swish sound of a rustling sari. Together, Priya and Babi Ba make their heritage live on through the traditions that they infuse into their everyday lives.

Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala is a celebration of the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren, the threads that connect each of us to our heritage, and the power of sharing our traditions with others.

Welcome to Diverse Stories for Kids- a read along series celebrating the unique experiences and perspectives from all walks of life! Watch with us on YouTube or listen with us on Spotify.

Meet Etta!

Etta was born to be a shining star. When Etta discovers her school is hosting a talent show, she wants to share her many talents with the world. Even though she has never performed onstage before, all Etta needs to do is make a plan. (Etta always has a plan!)

And in 1, 2, 3, 4 steps, she’s ready for her big performance on the big stage in front of a BIG audience.

Or is she?

Find out how Etta beats her worries, with the help of her loving family, in this joyful story created by celebrated writers Roda Ahmed and Charnaie Gordon and illustrator Chloe Burgett.

Welcome to Diverse Stories for Kids- a read along series celebrating the unique experiences and perspectives from all walks of life! Watch with us on YouTube or listen with us on Spotify.

Marisa's family members hail from many different cultures—Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian—but they have one thing in common: They all love dumpling soup! On New Year's Eve, they come from all over Oahu to gather at Grandma's house, and this year, it's Marisa turn to help make the dumplings. But it's a big responsibility! Will anyone want to eat her funny-looking mandoo? Set in the Hawaiian islands, this beloved story celebrates differences as well as the delicious shared traditions and abundant love that truly make a family.

Written by Jama Kim Rattigan

Illustrated by Lillian Hsu

Welcome to Diverse Stories for Kids- a read along series celebrating the unique experiences and perspectives from all walks of life! Watch with us on YouTube or listen with us on Spotify.

Ezra is a seven-year-old boy who likes cheese-flavored ice cream, flying off the couch with his superhero cape, and peeling dried glue off his fingers. And he LOVES making art. Every day at Braddock Elementary, he doodles, draws, paints, and crafts with abandon.

When he makes something, the entire world melts away, his heart feels warm, and his entire body wants to wiggle. But there is one problem. Even though he loves making it, no one understands it.

In this heartwarming picture book, little Ezra questions whether he should continue to make art when his parents, teachers, and classmates don't seem to get, or even like, his creations. What in the World Is Ezra's Art explores the question: Can he feel good about his art when no one else does?

Written by Shay Fan & Eric Toda

Illustrated by Tara Hân-Trần Johnson

Welcome to Diverse Stories for Kids- a read along series celebrating the unique experiences and perspectives from all walks of life! Watch with us on YouTube or listen with us on Spotify.

"Punky Aloha" is about a girl who uses the power of saying "aloha" to experience exciting and unexpected adventures.

Written and Illustrated by Shar Tuiasoa

"A Map Into the World" tells the story of a young Hmong girl's journey as she navigates her new home, experiences life and death, and collects treasures from the natural world. A heartwarming tale of love, loss, family, and friendship that explores the importance of caring for one another and finding common ground.

Written by Kao Kalia Yang

Illustrated by Seo Kim

Welcome to Diverse Stories for Kids- a read along series celebrating the unique experiences and perspectives from all walks of life! Watch with us on YouTube or listen with us on Spotify.

A Sikh father and daughter with a special hair bond proudly celebrate and share a family tradition.

Written by Raakhee Mirchandani

Illustrated by Holly Hatam