This collection contains materials from the DIVerse Families bibliography organized by Grades K-3.
DIVerse Families is a comprehensive bibliography that demonstrates the growing diversity of families in the United States. This type of bibliography provides teachers, librarians, counselors, adoption agencies, children/young adults, and especially parents and grandparents needing to empower their children with materials that reflect their families.
Browse by Grade Level:
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When Kayla was Kyle
Amy Fabrikant
Kyle doesn't understand why the other kids at school call him names. He looks like other boys, but doesn't feel like them. Can Kyle find the words to share his feelings about his gender -- and can his parents help him to transition into the girl he was born to be?
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When Molly Was in the Hospital
Debbie Duncan
Anna's little sister, Molly, has been very ill and had to have an operation. Anna tells us all about the experience from her point of view.
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When This World Was New
D. H. Figueredo
When his father leads him on a magical trip of discovery through new fallen snow, a young boy who emigrated from his warm island home overcomes fears about living in New York.
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When You Look Out the Window
Gayle E. Pitman
Tells the story of Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, one of San Francisco's most well-known and politically active lesbian couples. Describing the view from Phyllis and Del's window, this book shows how one couple's activism transformed their community - and had ripple effects throughout the world.
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Whitewash
Ntozake Shange
A young African-American girl is traumatized when a gang attacks her and her brother on their way home from school and spray-paints her face white. Based on a true story.
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Who Are You? The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity
Brook Pessin-Whedbee
What do you like? How do you feel? Who are you? This brightly illustrated children's book provides a straightforward introduction to gender for anyone aged 5+. It presents clear and direct language for understanding and talking about how we experience gender: our bodies, our expression and our identity. An interactive three-layered wheel included in the book is a simple, yet powerful, tool to clearly demonstrate the difference between our body, how we express ourselves through our clothes and hobbies, and our gender identity. Ideal for use in the classroom or at home, a short page-by-page guide for adults at the back of the book further explains the key concepts and identifies useful discussion points. This is a one-of-a-kind resource for understanding and celebrating the gender diversity that surrounds us.
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Who Belongs Here? An American Story
Margy Burns Knight
Describes the new life of Nary, a Cambodian refugee, in America, as well as his encounters with prejudice. Includes some general history of U.S. immigration.
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Who Do I Look Like?
Mary Schulte
A young girl finds that she looks a little like everyone in her family, but mostly like herself.
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Whoever You Are
Mem Fox
Despite the differences between people around the world, there are similarities that join us together, such as pain, joy, and love.
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Why Am I Different?
Norma Simon
Portrays everyday situations in which children see themselves as "different" in family life, preferences, and aptitudes, and yet feel that being different is all right.
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Why Don't I Have a Daddy? A Story of Donor Conception
George Anne Clay
As the little lion cub notices all different types of families, he starts to question his own family. His family consists of his mother and him. The little cub learns that while there is no "daddy" in his family, there is a donor lion who made his life possible. Through his mother's love and nurturing, the lion cub understands how special he and his family are.
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Why Johnny Doesn't Flap: NT is OK!
Clay Morton and Gail Morton
Johnny is different. He is never exactly on time, he can't seem to stick to a routine and he often speaks in cryptic idioms. Johnny is neurotypical, but that's OK.
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Why Mole Shouted and Other Stories
Lore Segal
Young Mole and his grandmother live together and get along well enough most of the time, but in each of these four stories there is an exception to the rule
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William's Doll
Charlotte Zolotow
More than anything, William wants a doll. He enjoys the other toys his father gives him, like a basketball and a train set, but he still wants a doll. William's grandmother is the only one who really understands his wish.
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Willow and the Wedding
Denise Brennan-Nelson
Bullied as a gay teenager, especially while performing in a high school musical, Uncle Ash, who is marrying his boyfriend, refuses to dance at his wedding, but flower girl Willow is determined to change her favorite uncle's mind.
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Wishing for Kittens
Ursula Ferro
Tanny the cat was old enough to be a mother. Rachel (seven-and-a-half years old) asked her moms, "Couldn't we let Tanny have kittens just once?" What would the family do if they had a house full of too many kittens?
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Wishworks, Inc.
Stephanie Tolan
When he is granted his wish for a dog from Wishworks, Inc., third-grader Max is disappointed to find that his new pet is nothing like the dog of his imagination.
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Without Words
Beti Rozen and Peter Hays
Luiz has just arrived in the United States from Brazil which he misses terribly. But the immigrant has a talent for drawing. Encouraged at school, Luiz creates many images, but soon he idealizes his former life. Later, he will discover that Brazil wasn't always so wonderful. Through art, he learns to adapt to his new life.
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With the Wind
Liz Damrell
When a boy who spends most of his time in a wheelchair rides a horse, he finds freedom, power, joy, and strength.
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Wonderful You
Lauren McLaughlin
A lyrical adoption story that tenderly addresses a baby's transition from the care of her birth mother to that of her adoptive parents. This lovely poem illuminates the role of an adopted child's birth mother, respecting her choice to give her child to a loving family. We follow a mother's journey as she carries her child, searches for deserving parents, and ultimately creates a new family. The story offers a version of the process that is full of warmth, care, and joy. An adoptive mother herself, author Lauren McLaughlin was glad for an opportunity to memorialize her family's own fairy tale, and Meilo So's ethereal illustrations breathe magic into an already wondrous experience.
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Worm Loves Worm
JJ Austrian
When a worm meets a special worm and they fall in love, you know what happens next: They get married! Because worm loves worm.
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Yafi's Family: An Ethiopian Boys Journey of Love, Loss, and Adoption
Linda Pettitt and Sharon Darrow
Yafi's family recalls his adoption from Ethiopia with stories, memories, and photographs.
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Year of the Jungle
Suzanne Collins
Suzy spends her year in first grade waiting for her father, who is serving in Vietnam, and when the postcards stop coming she worries that he will never make it home.
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Yes I Can!: A Girl and Her Wheelchair
Kendra J. Barrett, Jacqueline B. Toner, and Claire A. B. Freeland
Carolyn is in a wheelchair, but she doesn't let that stop her! She can do almost everything the other kids can, even if sometimes she has to do it a little differently.
