The New York Public Library's Teen Reading Ambassadors internship program brings together 10th–12th grade students to help further the Library's mission to inspire lifelong learning in others, particularly young children. Ambassadors work at NYPL After School programs across the city providing tutoring and literacy enrichment activities to children ages 6–12. They also show children the joy of reading by connecting them with engaging books from the Library’s collections! 

Multicultural Children’s Book Day is celebrated on the last Friday of January. To help celebrate, NYPL’s Teen Reading Ambassadors have selected books for children that showcase a diversity of cultures, experiences, traditions, languages, religions, and more. Join us in exploring these diverse titles! We also recommend you check out the Library’s Vibrant Voices booklist highlighting new books by authors of color. 

Sulwe written by Lupita Nyong’o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Ages 5–8
Recommended by Shazia C., Chatham Square Library 

Do you ever feel like you’re different from others? People can find it hard sometimes to love who they are, just like Sulwe in this book by Lupita Nyong’o. Sulwe always felt like her sister was more beautiful than she was and that she looked different from her family. However, Sulwe learns to love herself and to love how different she is from others! It’s okay to be different and what’s important is that you know it is something you should love about yourself. Sulwe goes on a very fun journey (it’s someplace magical!) where she learns how beautiful she truly is. Read this book to learn how Sulwe appreciates herself and how everyone should appreciate themselves!

This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids From Around the World by Matt LaMothe

Ages 6–10
Recommended by Ciara T., Woodstock Library 

This is a great book that can effectively teach younger kids about different cultures and how people in different parts of the world live their life. It does an amazing job on equally representing seven different cultures from around the world. Throughout the book the seven kids state how something is done in their country and what they call something or someone. For example, in Iran they call their teacher Khanoom Moalem, while in India they call their teacher Aarti Bathla Ma’am. This book is highly recommended to help show cultural differences and has won many awards! 

Dumplings for Lili by Melissa Iwai

Ages 5–9
Recommended by Alizza R., Francis Martin Library 

This book is about culture, family, and food. It tells the story of how Lili was making food with her Nai Nai (grandma), but they were missing an ingredient. She then goes on an adventure to bring her neighbors ingredients they were missing as well. By doing this, she experiences how the grandmothers in her building all learned to make dumplings differently. When she is done making her dumplings, she, Nai Nai, and all the neighbors come together and have a dumpling party! I recommend this book because it shows how although we have different cultures and foods, we can still come together and share our experiences!

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho

Ages 5–8
Recommended by Jalonda F., Harlem Library 

This is an amazing book that highlights the acceptances of one’s cultural features, especially for Asian and Asian American people (children and adults) who felt as though they were different from their peers and were bullied for not having the westernized "standard" big eyes. The book is written and illustrated to give appreciation to Asian eyes. It encourages readers to embrace their heritage and cultures as well as the characteristics that set them apart from those around them. Eyes can tell so many things and hold various meanings within them—you can see a variety of emotions in someone’s eyes. No matter how old someone gets their eyes will never change, and that is what the author, Joanna Ho, demonstrates in her story. The story overall achieves the goal of teaching young readers to be empowered as they start and continue their journey on self acceptance and to not criticize others based on their appearance. 

Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi! written by Art Coulson and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight 

Ages 5–8
Recommended by Izabell M., Macomb's Bridge Library 

The Cherokee National Holiday is coming up. When Bo's uncle tells Bo he's finally old enough to help the family sell handmade marbles, he is so excited! But when Bo shows off his marbles to his grandma, his elisi tells him he needs to find the right container to put the marbles in. Bo looks and looks, but he can not seem to find a container that is the right size! How can he fit the same amount of marbles into different containers? What will Bo use? Read Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi! to find out, with colorful illustrations and some Cherokee words along the way! 

I Am Enough written by Grace Byers and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

Ages 5–9
Recommended by Reign H., Francis Martin Library 

As a young kid seeing other children with different skin tones, hearing different languages, and feeling completely different from everyone else can be confusing. Learning how to understand and appreciate your differences can help you learn more about yourself and everyone else around you. This book tells the story of many young girls as they learn, grow, and accept differences and beliefs. Read this story and see how we can connect and learn from the things that make us all different. It's important to know that our differences are what makes us unique. 

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Ages 5–7
Recommended by Nicole P., Kingsbridge Library 

This book is about a woman and her infant son who travel to another country and become immigrants. The author defines the word "dreamer" and describes what it means to feel isolated. Finally, the mother and son find a safe place, the library. This helps them adapt and finally feel like they belong. Together, through the library, they become something new. The colors in the books and the detail that goes into the art hints at little pieces that are a part of the mother and son's culture. I think that's what makes the book special: the art, details and the messages in the story.

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Ages 8–12
Recommended by Bela J., Jerome Park Library 

Other Words for Home tells a story about a young girl who leaves Syria, her homeland, to go to America. Will she fit in with everyone else? Will America be a good fit for her? Will making new friends be easy or difficult? Children today would want to read this because it includes many things kids in America with different backgrounds go through. For example, empathy, kindness, resilience, determination, fitting in, friendship, bullying, family, hope, and much more. You’ll have to read this Newbery Honor award-winning book to find out how this young girl's new life in America will turn out.

Dream Street written by Tricia Elam Walker and illustrated by Ekua Holmes 

Ages 6–9
Recommended by Malaya G., Kingsbridge Library 

What’s your favorite thing in the world to do? In Dream Street by Tricia Elam Walker and Ekua Holmes, you’ll meet kids who love to dance, play, read, write, and draw, just like you! Some kids dream of becoming scientists. Other kids dream of winning a shiny athletic trophy. Still other kids dream of creating their own books! Everyone has a different dream, and on Dream Street, every kid gets to take care of their dream and become whatever or whoever they want. In Dream Street, you’ll find a book of colorful art, exciting dreams, and kids just like you! Whether you want to be a firefighter, dancer, artist, or athlete, this book is a good reminder that dreams come true! Your dreams matter. What’s your dream?

Nabeel's New Pants: An Eid Tale retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams and illustrated by Proiti Roy 

Ages 6–8
Recommended by Sagar L., Hamilton Grange Library 

Ramadan was over and everyone was preparing for Eid. Nabeel was a shoemaker and his day had been so busy that he didn't have a single shoe in his shop. He decided to go on a shopping excursion and buy his family some special gifts so they would look nice for the holiday. 
Hamza noticed that Nabeel's pants were patched and worn and convinced him to purchase a pair of pants, but he didn't have time to shorten them. What could Nabeel do now? Join us to read this tale about the celebration of Eid and the special love Nabeel's family has for him in a delightfully humorous and heartwarming story!

90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis

Ages 9–12
Recommended by Melana L., Mosholu Library 

90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis is a heart-wrenching story about a twelve-year-old boy named Julian who is forced to leave his home and parents in Cuba due to the Cuban Revolution. He learns to survive his new life in Miami, Florida with his two brothers. Although Julian was able to escape the Revolution, he is still faced with the harsh realities of the camp that he and the other Cuban children were inhabiting through Operation Pedro Pan. This historical fiction book establishes the parallels between the Cuban Revolution and the bullying Julian experiences by the camp bully, Caballo. 

Even though this book is primarily read by children aged 9–12, children of all ages could benefit from this coming-of-age novel. Julian’s adventures will teach kids about both the social and political complications of Cuba in the 60s and the emotional conflicts that Julian confronts, such as dealing with a bully and being away from his parents. With the millions of immigrants and children of immigrants in America, it’s important to understand the tragedies people have gone through and why it’s significant to celebrate and appreciate the diversity and freedom we are given.

Paletero Man written by Lucky Diaz and illustrated by Micah Player

Ages 5–8
Recommended by Izabell M., Macomb's Bridge Library

On a hot summer day, sometimes you crave a cold treat. Our narrator is on the hunt for his favorite paletas from Paletero José. As he runs around LA, the narrator greets many people along the way. He hears Paletero José’s call across the city, and dreams of all the yummy flavors until he reaches the paleta cart. That’s when the narrator realizes—he has a problem, and it is getting in the way of his paletas! Will the narrator finally eat the paletas he was craving? Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz and illustrated by Micah Player shows the support of a community and the joy of treats. With some Spanish words sprinkled throughout, this book is sure to take readers on a yummy adventure! 

We All Play / kimêtawânaw by Julie Flett

Ages 5–6
Recommended by Muslimat O., Baychester Library 

Do you like to play? If the answer is yes, did you know that animals like to play as well? We All Play / kimêtawânaw by Julie Flett shows how we as humans are connected to animals. This book shows you beautiful illustrations of how different animals play. You get to see birds who chase and chirp, bears who wiggle and wobble, whales who swim and squirt, and owls who peek and peep, and how you might love to do the same. And you know what the best part is? You can play along with the characters when reading the book! You can sing, jump, and have a blast! Also, did you know that a rabbit is called wâpos in Cree? If not, then you are in luck! The book includes a glossary at the end so you can read the book to learn different words in Cree then share/teach it with your friends and family!! Don't forget kimêtawânaw! 

The Many Meanings of Meilan by Andrea Wang

Ages 9–12
Recommended by Megan C., Baychester Library

After the death of her nǎinai, a young girl with a passion for storytelling is left with no choice but to move to an unfamiliar and undiversified town in Ohio, as a result of her stories. The Many Meanings of Meilan by Andrea Wang is a story about a Chinese American girl who loses her name and is involuntarily given a new one by her unwelcoming and predominantly white school. Called Meilan at home and Melanie at school, the main character is forced to deal with microaggressions and injustices of racism in her daily life. As a way to protect herself, Meilan creates different versions of herself, inspired by Chinese characters with the same pronunciation as her name. Come join Meilan’s bumpy and emotional journey as she overcomes her struggles formed by cultural differences in her new environment and follow as she explores her identity as a young minority.