Best Children's Multicultural Literature Books of 2025
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Children's multicultural literature books are a great way to introduce kids to different cultures and traditions from around the world. These books offer a unique perspective on the world and provide an opportunity for children to learn about different customs, beliefs, and ways of life. These books are not only entertaining but also educational, helping to broaden children's understanding of the world and promoting empathy and tolerance towards others. With a wide range of titles available, there is something for everyone, from stories about African folklore to tales from the Middle East, and everything in between. Children's multicultural literature books are a must-have addition to any child's bookshelf.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Children's Multicultural Literature Books
The Land of Stories Complete Paperback Gift Set
This beautiful paperback gift set contains all six books in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Land of Stories, written by Chris Colfer. The story follows the adventures of twins Alex and Conner, who discover a book of stories that transports them to a magical land where they meet their favorite fairy-tale characters. Colfer's imaginative plots and multidimensional characters make this series captivating and perfect for children's siblings. The Land of Stories Complete Paperback Gift Set is a must-have for any young reader who loves fairy tales and magic.
The Mitten
The Mitten, written and illustrated by Jan Brett, is a charming and funny story about a young boy's lost mitten that leads to a winter adventure for woodland animals. Brett's illustrations are exquisite, full of warmth, and humor that bring the animals to life. The book is perfect for young readers and a family favorite. The Mitten is a must-have for children's classics books, and it is available in Spanish as El mitón. Overall, this book is a delightful read that will leave both children and adults entertained and captivated by the story's unique portrayal of animals.
The Last Cuentista
The Last Cuentista, written by Donna Barba Higuera, is a captivating story that takes readers on a journey through the stars. After Earth is destroyed by a comet, Petra Peña and her family are among the few chosen to journey to a new planet. However, when Petra wakes up hundreds of years later, she discovers that she is the only one who remembers Earth. The story follows Petra's quest to keep the stories of humanity's past alive, despite the sinister Collective's attempts to erase them. This book is a beautiful and gripping tale that is both compelling and subversive, making it a must-read for anyone interested in multicultural children's literature.
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale is a thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale by Caldecott Medalist and #1 New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Jon Klassen. The story follows a brave girl named Otilla who finds herself lost in the dark forest and seeks refuge in a big abandoned house on a barren hill. There she meets a skull who is afraid of something that comes every night. With Klassen's signature wry humor and haunting illustrations, this book is as empowering as it is mysterious and foreboding. Overall, The Skull is a unique and captivating children's friendship book that is sure to be a favorite among young readers.
Big Brothers are Superheroes
Big Brothers are Superheroes is a heartwarming children's book that celebrates the awesomeness of being a big brother. Written in a fun and engaging rhyme, the book tells the story of a young boy who joins the League of Super Siblings and becomes a superhero in his own right. The colorful illustrations and variety of big brother characters create a warm and inclusive atmosphere. The book is perfect for older siblings who are stepping into their new role and is a great gift for boys from toddlers to 6 years old.
Tops & Bottoms (Caldecott Honor Book)
The Caldecott Honor-winning fairy-tale retelling, "Tops & Bottoms" by Janet Stevens, tells the story of a clever Hare who tricks a rich and lazy Bear into giving up half his crops to feed his hungry children. However, Bear's choice of "tops" or "bottoms" leads to unexpected results. The book's lively, colorful illustrations and humorous details make it an entertaining read for preschool to second-grade children. Although some illustrations are marred by the placement of boxed text, this book is a popular choice for fans of funny books and a unique take on trickster tales.
The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale
The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale, illustrated by Tim Jonke, is a heartwarming children's book that tells the Easter story from a unique perspective. Through the eyes of three trees, readers witness the true significance of Christ's life and his sacrifice on the cross. With over 180 books under her belt, author Angela Elwell Hunt delivers a beautiful story that is both engaging and educational. This book is a must-have for any children's Jesus book collection and is published by the trusted brand, David C Cook.
A Frog Ate My Sandwich!: A fun filled, laugh out loud adventure
A Frog Ate My Sandwich! is a hilarious children's book that follows the adventure of two boys and a sneaky frog. Caden and Nate befriend the frog, who secretly tags along with them to school, and chaos ensues. The story is full of surprises, life lessons, and plenty of laughter. One of the unique aspects of the book is the multi-ethnic representation of the characters. Overall, this is a fun-filled, laugh-out-loud adventure that children will surely enjoy.
Tikki Tikki Tembo
Tikki Tikki Tembo is a classic children's book that retells an ancient Chinese folktale. The story follows the firstborn son with the long name, Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, who falls into a well and his younger brother's attempt to get help. The book's illustrations are bright, active, and delightfully expressive, making it an excellent read-aloud material. The book's uniqueness lies in its ability to teach children about the danger of having such an honorable name. Overall, this book is a must-read for parents looking for a fun, educational, and engaging book for their children.
Winnie the Pooh: The Classic Edition
The Classic Edition of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne is a timeless collection of heartwarming tales that have enchanted readers for almost a century. This fully revitalized edition features the original illustrations by E.H. Shepherd, now in full color by Diego Jourdan Pereira, which brings new life to these beloved tales. Follow Winnie as he navigates the Hundred Acre Wood with his friends, learning the true meaning of friendship and acceptance. This beautiful edition is perfect for readers of all ages and a great addition to any bookshelf. Overall, this book is a must-have for any children's book collection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are multicultural children's books?
Multicultural Children's books are:. Books that contain characters of color as well as main characters that represent a minority point of view.Books that are written by an author of diversity or color from their perspective.
2. Why are multicultural children's books important?
Some of the best multicultural books show people from diverse groups playing and working together, solving problems and overcoming obstacles. At its best, multicultural children's literature helps children understand that despite our many differences, all people share common feelings and aspirations.
3. What is considered multicultural literature?
Broadly defined, multicultural literature includes literature about people who are considered outside of the mainstream of society and have been in some manner marginalized. This definition would include people from diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds.
During our children's multicultural literature book research, we found 1,000+ children's multicultural literature book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 59,916 customer reviews through our big data system to write the children's multicultural literature books list. We found that most customers choose children's multicultural literature books with an average price of $10.16.
Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.