Research Guides: Window, Mirror, and Prism Books: Books we love

Library books

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Illustrator)
Publication Date: 2018
Winner of a 2019 Stonewall Book Award In an exuberant picture book, a glimpse of costumed mermaids leaves one boy flooded with wonder and ready to dazzle the world. While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes -- and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love's author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.
The Favorite Daughter by Allen Say (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780545176620
Publication Date: 2013-05-28
A father helps his daughter find pride and inspiration in this masterful picture book.Yuriko hates her name when the children make fun of it and call her "Eureka!" Though she is half Japanese, the teasing makes her want to hide, to retreat even from the art projects she used to love. Fortunately she has a patient, kind father who finds gentle ways of drawing her out and reminding Yuriko of the traditions they share that have always brought her joy: walks in lovely Golden Gate Park, lunch at their favorite sushi restaurant, watching the fog blow in off the bay. It's enough... it's more than enough to face down her challenges with confidence.From the incomparable Allen Say comes another moving story taken from his personal experience and translated to the universal. This tale, dedicated with love to Say's daughter, is one for all parents who want their children to feel pride in their heritage, and to know their own greatest sources of strength and inspiration.THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER will be a favorite for years to come.
It's Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
Publication Date: 2001
This book is perfect to introduce and/or reinforce the idea that it is totally fine for each one of us to identify ourselves with all those traits (shape, size, skin color, religion etc) that makes us different from one another. With clear and clever illustrations, the idea that it is okay to be who you are is depicted very well. Great way to teach Diversity and Inclusion.
Firebird by Misty Copeland; Christopher Myers (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780399166150
Publication Date: 2014-09-04
This is a great children's book that represents a non-dominant community or experience. Misty Copeland was the first African American woman to be promoted principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater and has overcome many challenges and obstacles in her time.
Another by Christian Robinson (Illustrator)
Call Number: E ROB
ISBN: 9781534421677
Publication Date: 2019-03-05
An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 A New York Times Best Children's Book of 2019 An NYPL Best Book of 2019 A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019 A School Library Journal Best Picture Book of 2019 A BookPage Best Picture Book of 2019 A Horn Book Fanfare Selection of 2019 In his eagerly anticipated debut as author-illustrator, Caldecott and Coretta Scott King honoree Christian Robinson brings young readers on a playful, imaginative journey into another world. What if you... encountered another perspective? Discovered another world? Met another you? What might you do?

Chato's Kitchen
We Are Water Protectors
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, Illustrated by Michaela Goade

The story is told from the POV of the young water protector on the cover of the book. In the book, she discusses how important water is to all life, and how the "black snake" is coming to destroy their water and land. She talks about how she fights for the bugs, the birds, the trees, the flowers, the animals, and even other people, because we are all one. The book ends with her acknowledging that her people's fight against the "black snake" won't be easy, but they they will not back down.
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I read this for National Indigenous Peoples' Day with a few primary classes and every single one loved it. The illustrations are bold and beautiful, and the book inspires children to help fight to keep our water safe and clean. Even in a 1st grade class, we were able to have a wonderful nuanced discussion about oil pipelines and water protectors. Before reading this book, a lot of my younger kids, unfortunately, did not realize that there are still many Native people around today. However, this book opened their eyes to the fact that Native and Indigenous people are not only still here, but many of them are actively defending the Earth from harm. I could not recommend this book more!
My Dadima wears a sari This book is a lovely introduction to the Sari, a unique yet ubiquitous attire from the Indian subcontinent. The story is from a little girl's perspective showing the interesting ways by which she learns about the sari from her grandmother (Dadima) who is always seen wearing one. The author Kashmira Sheth narrates the story reliving her experiences as a child growing up around sari wearers.
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There is a small pictorial at the end of the book showing how a typical saree can be worn. That can be very useful for beginners.
Cora Cooks Pancit - Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore
Cora Cooks Pancit is about a young girl who wants to cook with her mom. Cora has a lot of older siblings, who get to do the “grown-up jobs” like shredding meat and rolling lumpia. When her siblings leave, Cora jumps at the opportunity to ask her mom to teach her how to make pancit, a traditional Filipino noodle dish. Cora’s mom tells her about how she learned to cook from Cora’s Lolo, grandfather. With her mom’s help, Cora gets to shred the meat, check if the noodles are ready, and stir the ingredients together. When her family sits down to eat dinner, her sisters and brother are surprised to learn that Cora helped their mother cook.