Are you on the hunt for great stories for 2 year-olds? Little ones love to listen someone read them books. But, it can be challenging to find stories that represent the diversity of people in our world for such a young age.
Here are some of the best multicultural books for toddlers. They are titles that will enrich their growing vocabulary and understanding of the world.
BEST MULTICULTURAL BOOKS FOR TODDLERS
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Candlewick provided a copy of Baby Goes to Market to review. All opinions expressed are my own.
We all know that a 24-month-old generally has less of an attention for a story than a 35-month-old, but yet they are both 2 year-olds. This list contains books that will appeal to both ends of the spectrum.
Board Books (great for little ones who are still tearing pages in picture books)
I love the Global Babies series. I included it on the Best Multicultural Board Books for Babies and Toddlers with Photographs book list. I had to include them on this list too. Global Baby Bedtimesby Maya Ajmera gives us a realistic look at babies around the world preparing for sleep.
It’s never to early to start working on dual language learning. Counting With/Contando Con Frida by Patty Rodriguez is a bilingual book (English/Spanish) that introduces colors and gives us a taste of the Hispanic culture. This is a series with numerous titles that teach about shapes, emotions, and more.
Disney’s It’s a Small World Hello, World! is a colorful little book introducing us to different people around the world. On each page we learn how to say hello in a different language. The text is simple, but there is lots to look at on each page.
Fiesta Babies by Carmen Tafolla is a sweet rhythmic read through a Latino party. Pictures are bright, engaging, and entertaining.
Picture Books
I was an immediate fan of Atinuke when I read hear early chapter books about Anna Hibiscus (put on your list for when the kids get a bit older.) Atinuke returns with a new picture book called Baby Goes to Market. It’s a vibrant and gorgeously illustrated about a mother who takes her little one to a Nigerian market to shop. As the mother is busy buying items, the baby is also filling mama’s basket with items from the market too.
Little ones will even learn some basic counting skills while enjoying the story. In fact, grab a basket and have the kids place items in as you count together the items being put in the basket.
Bee Bim Bop by Linda Sue Park is one of my favorites on the list. It’s a wonderful read-aloud sure to capture the toddler audience’s attention. Plus, it has a yummy recipe in the back of the book.
I haven’t met a 2 year-old that doesn’t love the “Wheels on the Bus.” Add a little cultural learning to the song by reading The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk by Kabir Sehgal which takes us to India. Lots of new vocabulary to be learned with this one.
Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke allows us to step into one family’s home and feel the love of extended family all while preparing for a home-cooked meal.
Learn about shapes in the Asian culture in Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Thong. Also check out Thong’s Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapesand Green is a Dragon: A Book of Colors.
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Multicultural Children’s Book Day is in its 5th year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators.
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