Diversity Matters: Books released in August

Hi everyone!
This post is long overdue!
I want to share with you a list of some great books that are set to come out in August.
Don’t forget to check my Instagram accounts (@diversereads and @thetututeacher) to see new books featured all the time!

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. I earn a small (very small) commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links, which allows me to purchase more books to be able to share with you! Click on any of the pictures or titles to grab yourself a copy.



 Amazon Store


 Sing a song

Sing a Song by Kelly Starling Lyons

Do you know the Black National Anthem? Lift Every Voice and Sing is a song of inspiration, hope, and joy. The book Sing a Song takes us along the journey of the history of this powerful song. The beautiful illustrations by Keith Mallett drive home the incredible significance this book has had on generations of Black families throughout history.  Sing a Song will be available August 6th.

 Dancing Hands

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by: Margarita Engle

I had never head of Teresa Carreño before.  When Margarita Engle posted about this book I preordered it right away! Rafael López is an AMAZING illustrator and I can’t wait to see how he brings to life the story of Teresa.
Teresa escaped a war in Venezuela  only to come to the United States during the Civil War. She used the piano as a way to express herself and soon she found herself playing for President Lincoln at the White House.  This story would be a great addition to any library. Dancing Hands is available August 27.

A Likkle Miss Lou by Nadia L. Hohn

Do you know what patois is? Patois is a dialect of the people from Jamaica and is spoken by the majority of Jamaicans as the native language. Miss Lou was a poet and writer who helped paved the way for Jamaicans to use patois in their work today.
This is the story of Miss Lou as a little girl and how her love for writing grew. I’m loking forward to reading this book and learning a bit more about patois. There’s a glossary in the back of the book to help explain certain terms and words.
A Likkle Miss Louis available August 13.

Stories for South Asian Supergirls by Raj Kaur Khaira

I really love these collections of biographies. Of the few I have in our classroom, and it brings me so much joy seeing my students go through the books identifying people they know or recognize. Stories for South Asian Supergirls features 50 amazing women from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka and beyond.
Stories for South Asian Supergirls is available August 2 from  Kashi House.

 How Do you Dance?

How Do You Dance? by Thyra Heder

I love this book so much. I love that it shoes the different ways to enjoy dancing even if you don’t want to show all your sweet moves. How Do You Dance was a great book to demonstrate how we as educators should more often respect the introverts in our class.  Those children who don’t always want to do what everyone’s doing. How Do You Dance comes out August 6.

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee

I am loving the uptick in books that discuss social emotional issues. As educators, we often have to find ways to help children cope with their emotions without enough sufficient professional development to make us true experts.  I often use books as a way to talk about big feelings. The Boy with Big, Big Feelings is a book about a boy who is experiencing anxiety or extreme emotions. He might be described as a Highly Sensitive Person. The Boy with Big, Big Feelings is available August 20.

 The Buddy Bench

The Buddy Bench by Patty Brozo

Last year, our school received a Buddy Bench. If you are unfamiliar, a Buddy Bench is a bench that a child can go sit at if they are having difficulty joining in on the recess fun. A child sitting on the bench is a signal to other children that that child would like to play.  This book will be a great way to help explain the idea of a Buddy Bench. The Buddy Bench is out August 6.

 What Riley Wore

What Riley Wore by Elana K. Arnold

Riley likes to wear whatever makes Riley happy! That could be a tutu, or a hard hat, or astronaut PJs. Riley wears what Riley wants.  This is a simple story about a child choosing to express themselves through their clothing. This book can serve as a way to start conversation about clothing choices and how other children can use supportive language to be sure every child feels included.
What Riley Wore is available August 27.

 What if Everybody Thought That?

What if Everybody Thought That? by Ellen Javernick

I am constantly reminding my students to think in questions. Why did the person say that? or Why is his skin color different than mine? I encourage them to ask those questions to a trusted adult or find the answers in a book. I can’t wait to add this book to our library. I’m hoping it will encourage children to ask curious questions while simultaneously, disrupting stereotypes. What if Everybody Thought That will be available August 27.

Kol Hakavod: Way to Go! by Jamie Kieffel-Alcheh

Kol Hakavod means all respect in Hebrew. The story follows children around as they spread kindness to others by simply being respectful.  Sometimes children can think acts of kindness require a grand gesture, when in fact the more meaningful the act the bigger the impact. Kol Hakavod reminds children to be kind throughout their day. Kal Hokavod will be available August 1.

 Miep and the Most Famous Diary

Miep and the Most Famous Diary by Meeg Pincus

Do you know who Miep Gies was?  She was the woman who helped hide the Frank family.  Miep hid Anne’s diaries and notebooks before the family was taken. She then gave the diaries to the remaining surviving member, who had the diaries published. Miep and the Most Famous Diary tells the story of Miep and Anne’s relationship. Miep is available on August 15.

Common Threads: Adam’s Day at the Market by Huda Essa

I am super excited about this book.  A family visits their local Eastern Market and Adam gets separated from his parents.  In his efforts to join his family he mistakes other adults at the market for his parents. I think this would be a great book to use when discussing families and communities.  I’d use the story to ask children to think about, why people of a similar religion tend to live in the same community?
Common Threads is available August 15.

Which book are you most looking forward to reading?

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