Choosing your next read aloud is one of the most fun parts of the job at KidLit TV. There are such incredible books to choose from this year but below is our list of Best Diverse Picture Books of 2025. We hope you can get copies at your local bookstore or library to enjoy often with the children in your life.
Comment below with other new titles to help our readers
find new favorites for their bookshelves at home
and in the classroom!
• Best Diverse Picture Books of 2025 •
THE BOOK THAT ALMOST RHYMED
Every great adventure needs a hero—or two! This playful take on storytelling and equity proves that two tellers can make a rhyming tale twice as nice.
What do you do with an interrupting sibling? Especially when she's stepping all over your story with wild ideas that don’t. Even. Rhyme. Knights riding rockets? Dancing pirates? Who’s ever heard of a fire-breathing armadillo?! But when this big brother realizes his sister just might be improving his yarn—and doing it with an impressive surprise of her own—it's clear what you do with an interrupting sibling. You share the narrative! Turns out adventure is way more fun when you build it together, rhyme by daring rhyme.
THE BOOK THAT ALMOST RHYMED
Written by Omar Abed and Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Published by Dial Books
JOYFUL SONG
From the beloved pathbreaking author of Heather Has Two Mommies, comes a vibrant ode to family and community
What a happy day!
Zachary's baby sister will have her naming ceremony. In the temple! With his moms, the congregation, and all their friends!
He's so excited he can barely contain it. On the walk from their home, they meet neighbor after neighbor who want to know the baby's name.
But — not yet! — his mothers tell him. The tradition is to have a great reveal at the ceremony. So they invite each neighbor to come along. A colorful, diverse parade blooms along the route, until… At last it's time, and Zachary gets to reveal his sister's name…
What is it?
A truly JOYFUL moment for everyone!
JOYFUL SONG
Written by Lesléa Newman and Illustrated by Susan Gal
Published by Levine Querido
THE LAST STAND
Every stand has a story.
This one is mine.Saturday is for harvesting. And one little boy is excited to work alongside his Papa as they collect eggs, plums, peppers and pumpkins to sell at their stand in the farmer's market. Of course, it's more than a farmer's market. Papa knows each customer's order, from Ms. Rosa's pumpkins to Mr. Johnny's peppers. And when Papa can't make it to the stand, his community gathers around him, with dishes made of his own produce.
Heartwarming illustrations complement the lyrical text in this poignant picture book that reveals a family's pride in their work, and reminds us to harvest love and hope from those around us.
THE LAST STAND
Written by Antwan Eady and Illustrated by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey
Published by Knopf Kids
A MALETA FULL OF TREASURES
It’s been three years since Abuela’s last visit, and Dulce revels in every tiny detail—from Abuela’s maletas full of candies in crinkly wrappers and gifts from primos to the sweet, earthy smell of Peru that floats out of Abuela’s room and down the hall. But Abuela’s visit can’t last forever, and all too soon she’s packing her suitcases again. Then Dulce has an idea: maybe there are things she can gather for her cousins and send with Abuela to remind them of the U.S. relatives they’ve never met. And despite having to say goodbye, Abuela has one more surprise for Dulce—something to help her remember that home isn’t just a place, but the deep-rooted love they share no matter the distance.
Written by Natalia Sylvester and Illustrated by Juana Medina
Published by Dial Books
MY OLIVE TREE
In this simple, touching picture book about the healing power of a loving community, a girl's grandpa and her neighbors help her grow an olive tree in a war-torn land.
A BOOKLIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Salam's grandpa says that olive trees are strong and that their roots run deep in their Palestinian land. They connect everyone–from the farmer who presses the olives into oil to the baker who uses the oil in his taboon.
Salam plants her own seed and is eager to see it grow. She waits… she waters… she asks the seed to hurry… until finally…a sprout! But one day soldiers come and destroy everything in their path…including Salam's new olive tree. Salam is crushed–though she doesn't have to worry. Her grandpa gathers their neighbors and, together, they plant olive trees as far as the eye can see.
With spare, sensitive prose and gentle illustrations, debut author-illustrator Hazar Elbayya delivers a powerful story about the beauty of the olive tree and the importance of community in the face of hardship.
MY OLIVE TREE
Written and Illustrated by Hazar Elbayya
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
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Bethany Edwards is an elementary educator as well as a reading and literacy specialist. On Biracial Bookworms, she focuses on multiracial and multicultural resources for teaching literacy skills using reading, travel, and learning multiple languages. Additionally, she offers online and self-paced courses for parents and caregivers on Biracial Bookworms Academy.
Connect with Bethany on Biracial Bookworms
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