The Colors of Us by Karen Katz.

"My mom's the color of French toast. She's an artist. Mom's teaching me how to mix colors. She says that if I mix red, yellow, black, and white paints in the right combination, I will have the right brown for a picture of me." A mother and daughter explore their neighborhood and discover their neighbors remind them of favorite foods: cinnamon, chocolate, peanut butter, honey, coffee, toffee, and butterscotch. What flavor are you?

Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson; illustrated by Frank Morrison.

The author chose to make this book a fictional story about an imagined  girl and her brother, but the story is true. In May 1963, families met with Dr. Marin Luther King to plan a march in a church in Birmingham, Alabama. The parents worried about losing their jobs if they marched, so thousands of children and teenagers volunteered to march for their civil rights. What were some of the things that the marchers protested against? What were some of the ways the police tried to stop the marches? Available online on Hoopla.

Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper

Like most kids, Mazie is tired of hearing the word "no." "No" you can't stay up late, "no" you can't have a cookie. But her daddy promises her tomorrow they will celebrate. Tomorrow is Juneteenth, the 19th of June. Her daddy tells her the story of her great-great-great-grandpa Mose who grew up a slave in Texas and was there on June 19th, 1865 the day that the last slaves heard that President Lincoln had proclaimed an end to slavery. That night everyone who heard that announcement celebrated their freedom late into the night. And every year on June 19th, Americans celebrate the end of slavery in the United States.

Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins; illustrated by Bryan Collier.

The author wrote this poem that celebrates black children and seeks to inspire all young ones to dream big and achieve their goals as the closing song of a musical for children in 1975. The artist used a combination of watercolor and collage that includes some photographs. Why do you think he included balloons? What are some of the dreams the children in the book have? What are some of your dreams? Available online on Overdrive.

This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell.

Organized in four sections—identity, history, taking action, and working in solidarity—each chapter builds on the lessons of the previous section. Underlined words are defined in the glossary. The author brings her experience as a bi-racial educator with roots outside the United States to the book. Parents needed to be prepared to address questions about gender identity in the first section. The author invites readers to start a journal and each chapter ends with an activity for recording observations, experiences, and feelings. The author discusses how “privilege” is an opportunity. The differences between “calling out” and “calling in” are explored. 

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o; illustrated by Vashti Harrison.

Her parents named her “Sulwe,” which means “Star.” But like a lot of families, her mother, her father, her older sister all have slightly different skin colors. People give Sulwe nicknames like “Blackie,” “Darky” and “Night.” How do you think that makes her feel? She tries makeup and eating different foods to change her skin color. She even asks God for a miracle. Then one night, a shooting star comes to her and tells her the story of two sisters, Day and Night. What happened when Night leaves the Earth? When Day finds her sister they both realize they need each other, that together they make the world strong and beautiful. When you look at the illustrations, what are some examples of how the illustrator uses light and dark colors? How does she show glowing light?
Listen to the  author sing Sulwe's song here. 

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson; illustrated by Rafael Lopez.

“There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you.” Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself. Other students have amazing summer vacation stories. Angelina isn’t sure what to say about herself…”until the day you begin to share your stories.” What is one way you feel different from most people around you? Why are differences good and important for our community? Available online on Overdive.

Let's Talk About Race by Julius Lester; illustrated by Karen Barbour

The author asks how your story begins. What are some things you like? Where are you from? What do you believe? And what race are you? Why would some people say their race is better than another? The author offers some possible reasons. What do you think? But then he asks what is beneath our skin? Aren’t we the same? Do we look at people and think we know something about them because of their skin color? Available online on Open Library