Thematic Reading List: I See Myself

It is important for children from all backgrounds to read books with characters who resemble them. This connects readers to the characters and helps them to see that, even if it sometimes feels like it, they are not alone. This book list includes a variety of fiction titles for readers ages 4-7. Some books are best to be heard aloud and others are accessible to beginning readers to read by themselves. These titles are selected to represent a wide range of readers to help everyone find a character with whom they feel at home.
Contributed by: Mary Lanni

	Alfie: (the turtle that disappeared) By: Thyra Heder Told from the perspective of both the girl, Nia, and her pet turtle, Alfie, and describes what happens when he disappears on the eve of her seventh birthday to find her a special present.
	Block Party By: Gwendolyn Hooks Illustrated by: Shirley Ng-Benitez The neighborhood is having a block party, and everyone is expected to bring food to share. Padma’s mother decides to bring a pot of homemade soup, and Padma worries that her friends will not like it.
	Happy in Our Skin By: Fran Manushkin Illustrated by: Lauren Tobia Bouquets of babies sweet to hold: cocoa-brown, cinnamon, and honey gold. Ginger-colored babies, peaches and cream, too– splendid skin for me, splendid skin for you! A delightfully rhythmical read-aloud text is paired with bright, bustling art from the award-winning Lauren Tobia, illustrator of Anna Hibiscus, in this joyful exploration of the new skin of babyhood. A wonderful gift book for new mums and toddlers; all children can see themselves, and open their eyes to the world around them, in this sweet, scrumptious celebration of skin in all its many, many, wonderful forms.
	I Want to be a Doctor By: Laura Driscoll Illustrated by: Catalina Echeverri Explains what a doctor is and what their responsibilities are, including helping people who are sick or hurt.
	I’m New Here By: Anne Sibley O’Brien Three children from other countries (Somalia, Guatemala, and Korea) struggle to adjust to their new home and school in the United States.
	It Feels Good to be Yourself By: Theresa Thorn Illustrated by: Noah Grigni Some people are boys. Some people are girls. Some people are both, neither, or somewhere in between. This sweet, straightforward exploration of gender identity will give children a fuller understanding of themselves and others. With child-friendly language and vibrant art, It Feels Good to Be Yourself provides young readers and parents alike with the vocabulary to discuss this important topic with sensitivity.
	Katie Woo, We Love You! By: Fran Manushkin Katie shows what a good friend she can be–whether it is starting a club, hosting a sleepover, or building a volcano for school. Includes extra chapters with cooking and handicraft activities.
	King and Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code By: Dori Hillestad Butler Illustrated by: Nancy Meyers When a mysterious letter written in code arrives at King’s house for his human, Kayla, he follows the trail of the person who left it.
	Lily’s New Home By: Paula Yoo Illustrated by: Shirley Ng-Benitez Lily and her parents move to a new home in New York City. Everything is so new and different, which makes Lily even more homesick.
	Ling and Ting: Twice as Silly By: Grace Lin Identical twins Ling and Ting like to be silly, tell jokes, and laugh together.
	The Missing Fox By: Katherine Cox Illustrated by: Vanessa Brantley-Newton Amateur private investigator Katie Fry looks for clues to find her brother’s favorite stuffed animal.
	Mixed Me! By: Taye Diggs Illustrated by: Shane Evans Mom and Dad say I’m a blend of dark and light: “We mixed you perfectly and got you just right.” Mike has awesome hair. He has LOTS of energy! His parents love him. And Mike is a PERFECT blend of the two of them. Still, Mike has to answer LOTS of questions about being mixed. And he does, with LOTS of energy and joy in this charming story about a day in the life of a mixed-race child.
	Skin Again By: Bell Hooks Illustrated by: Christopher Raschka This book affirms identity as involving outward appearance, while emphasizing that to really know a person means to get to what is inside them.