Diversify Your Child's Summer Reading List

A DEI Summer Picture Book List

It’s officially summer ~ the perfect season to slow down, soak up the sun, and dive into a reading adventure. But what if this year’s stack of picture books could do more than just entertain? What if it could also open doors to empathy, spark meaningful conversations, and help kids see the beauty in every kind of story?

Children’s books are powerful tools for shaping how kids see the world~and themselves. When we offer stories that reflect diverse identities, cultures, and family structures, we send a clear message: everyone belongs. Whether your child is flipping pages at the beach, listening to a bedtime story under the stars, or curled up on the couch with their favorite stuffed animal, the books they encounter can expand their world in joyful, affirming ways.

This curated list of inclusive picture books highlights stories by and about historically underrepresented voices ~ including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled creators and characters. From tender family moments to bold summer adventures, these titles center identity, community, and belonging in ways that resonate with young readers of all backgrounds.

So whether you're building a summer reading basket at home, or even trying to refresh your classroom library for the fall, these books are a beautiful place to start.

Diverse Summer Picture Books

Find the FULL List on Amazon / Bookshop, or click on a sampling of individual titles linked below

Indigenous Representation

Summer’s Magic by Kaitlin B. Curtice | Bo, a proud Potawatomi boy, looks forward to a summer filled with gardening, riverside adventures, and time with his sister. But when he finds his favorite spot littered with trash, he learns that protecting the Earth is part of the joy of the season. By inviting others to help, Bo finds community ~ and a new kind of summer magic.

Forever Cousins by Laurel Goodluck | Kara and Amanda, separated by distance, miss each other deeply but worry the other hasn’t felt the same. At their family reunion on the Rez, they reconnect and realize their bond is as strong as ever ~ they’re still forever cousins. This heartfelt story reflects the lasting impact of the 1950s Indian Relocation Act and the enduring strength of Native family ties.

Pacific Islander / Native Hawaiian Representation

Keep Believing by Eliana S. Su’a | Follow a brave young girl in the village of Vaitogi as she searches for a cure for her grandfather’s illness. Guided by her Aunty and an ancient legend, she discovers that healing comes not only from remedies but from the wisdom, love, and resilience of her community. Rooted in Samoan tradition, this story celebrates the power of ancestral knowledge and the strength found in unity.

Punky Aloha by Shar Tuiasoa | Punky Aloha loves many things ~ except meeting new people. When her grandma asks her to buy butter for banana bread, Punky’s not so sure… until a pair of magical sunglasses and a heart full of aloha give her the courage to try.

Arab Representation

The City of Jasmine by Nadine Presley | Inspired by the author’s childhood in Damascus ~ follow a young Syrian American girl as she recalls the beauty, scents, and memories of her beloved city.

Sundays are For Feasts by Leila Boukarim | Every summer in Lebanon, Yasmine looks forward to big Sunday lunches with her family. This year, she’s in charge of making the hummus ~ but it’s not as easy as she thought! With Baba’s help and her own special touch, Yasmine creates her own version. Now she just has to hope grumpy Ammo Farouk will like it!

Black Representation

Sounds Like Joy by Yesenia Moises | A little mermaid discovers a magical noisemaker that inspires an underwater dance party with her sea creature friends. But when it breaks, Joy feels down ~ until her friends use creativity and teamwork to help her find that special sound again.

City Summer, Country Summer by Kiese Laymon | Three Black boys ~ New York, Country, and little C ~ spend a magical summer in Mississippi, where friendship, freedom, and love bloom under the watchful care of Grandmama and Mama Lara. As they explore gardens, play games, and share quiet moments, their differences melt away, and a deep bond grows.

Asian Representation

Icy Fruit by Charlotte Cheng | Charlotte Cheng’s grandfather always carried a bag of jingling coins ~ a reminder of the joyful journey behind Agong’s Icy Fruit company. From its humble beginnings in 1965 Taiwan to nationwide success, this story blends biography, family love, and the sweet spirit of summer.

Becoming Boba by Joanna Ho | Milk Tea Town is all about tradition ~ until Mindy arrives, a colorful blend unlike any classic flavor. Feeling unsure if she fits in, Mindy dives into the history of milk tea with her friends and uncovers a surprising truth that could change everything.

Latinx Representation

Alpacas Here, Alpacas There by Carrie Tillotson | Thousands of years ago, people in the Andes Mountains domesticated wild alpacas, starting a tradition that continues today. While millions of alpacas still live in the Andes, alpaca farming has spread worldwide ~ including North America.

I am La Chiva! by Karol Hernández | Follow the iconic chiva bus as it winds through Colombia’s rugged Andes mountains, celebrating the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes in a colorful tribute to Colombian heritage and spirit.

Mixed Race Representation

Beach Hair by Ashley Woodfolk | When a family wakes up with wild “beach hair,” they decide it’s the perfect excuse to head to the beach! There, they celebrate all kinds of hair ~ twisty, glossy, sparse, and everywhere ~ finding joy in the freedom to be themselves.

In the Wild by Zadie Smith | Maud, a judo-suit-wearing guinea pig and proud oddball, embarks on an outdoor adventure with her owner, Kit. Nervous but brave, they use a few Signature Moves to make new friends and discover new worlds.

Disability Representation

Emma’s Awesome Summer Camp Adventure by Amy Webb | Emma is thrilled to attend her first summer camp ~ Camp Waterfall, a welcoming place where kids of all abilities can join in without anyone feeling left out. As Emma and her new friends face challenges and try new things, they discover just how much is possible when a camp is truly built for everyone.

See the Ocean by Estelle Condra | Nellie loves the ocean and the yearly trip to her family’s beach house beyond the Black Mountains. Every year, her brothers race to spot the first glimpse of the sea ~ but Nellie never joins in. This year, thick mist hides the ocean from everyone… except Nellie. (Featuring blind representation)

LGBTQ+ Representation

Far, Far Away by Molly Beth | Mom and Mama take Rowan on his first canoe camping trip far from the city. Excited at first, Rowan soon feels tired, hungry, and itchy ~ and wishes he could go home. But when night falls and the star-filled sky dazzles him like never before, Rowan discovers that the adventure, though challenging, is truly worth it.

Nen and the Lonely Fisherman by Ian Eagleton | Far beneath the whispering waves, a merman searches for a partner, while above, a kind fisherman longs for something beyond the horizon. When they meet beneath a star-filled sky, their love transforms both their worlds.

Diverse Communities

Our Pool by Lucy Ruth Cummins | On a hot day, the city’s pool becomes a joyful gathering place for friends, family, kids, and grandparents alike. This vibrant picture book celebrates summer, community, and the simple delight of swimming, splashing, and laughing together ~ where everyone is welcome to cool off and have fun.

Gather Round by David Covell | a girl and her father build a fire to keep the cold away. As travelers ~ both people and animals ~ gather around the glowing flames, a welcoming community is born, warmed by friendship and the magic of fire.

---

I hope this book list is useful! Please consider subscribing for more bookish content.

Here’s to raising our young readers and future leaders~

Happy *Summer* Reading,

Maya