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Please note that we have not had the opportunity to review all of the books listed by all of these site and page authors. Regard this list merely as a starting place for your own research and evaluation. Please also note that the author/illustrator highlight links are by no means intended to be comprehensive; they're just that—some highlights!
BLACK BOOKS GALORE! by Donna Rand, Toni Trent Parker, and Sheila Foster (John Wiley & Sons, 1998). A great starting place featuring descriptions of 500 books, award listings, tips for encouraging young readers, and highlight articles on a sampling of African American authors and illustrators. Visit Black Books Galore!
African American Authors from Nancy Keane's Booktalks. A listing.
African American Children's Writers: brief article edited by Sue Reichard from Suite101.com, highlighting Walter Dean Myers and Mildred Taylor.
African American Voices in Children's Fiction: a bibliography by the Arrowhead Library System.
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African Americans in Science: Books for Young Readers by David L. Haury from ERIC.
Children's Africana Book Awards: "established in 1991 by the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association to encourage the publication and use of accurate, balanced children's books on Africa."
Resource Bibliography for the Study of African-American Children’s Literature from the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection.
Learn more about: Christopher Paul Curtis; Jane Kurtz; Julius Lester; E.B. Lewis; Michelle Meadows; Jerry Pinkney; Don Tate.
Applit: Resources for Readers and Teachers of Appalachian Literature for Children and Young Adults.
Submit suggestions.
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Children's Books with Asian and Asian-American Themes from CYALR. Includes numerous more related links.
Childbook.com: features Chinese Children Books, Video's, Audio and computer CD's, and other materials for libraries, ESL Programs, and government institutions for teaching Chinese Culture and Language with secure online ordering.
Children's and Young Adult Books with Japanese and Japanese American Characters & Themes from CYALR. Emphasizes immigration and the internment of Japanese Americans.
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Pacific Rim Voices is the website of the Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize, which was created in 1996 to encourage the publication and readership of books that will increase understanding about the nations and peoples of the Pacific Rim region. The site, launched in September 1999, features not only information about the Kiriyama Prize -- its winners and finalists, but also book reviews, calendar listings, regional focus pages, author interviews, original fiction, links to other Pacific Rim related sites, and more. New features will be posted to the site regularly.
papertigers.org: featuring Pacific Rim and South Asian peoples and cultures through children's and young adult books. Features interviews, essential reading, resources, and reviews. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
South Asian Voices - With North American Accents by Uma Krishnaswami from Papertigers.org.
Learn more about: Varsha Bajaj; Haemi Balgassi; Yong Chen; Yumi Heo; Ying-Hwa Hu; Cynthia Kadohata; Uma Krishnaswami; Cynthia Chin-Lee; Greg Leitich Smith; Bette Bao Lord; Pooja Makhijani; An Na; Lensey Namioka; Linda Sue Park; Allen Say; Janet S. Wong; Taro Yashima; Ting-xing Ye; Lisa Yee; Wong Herbert Yee
Australian Authors and Illustrators for Young People from the Australian School Library Association.
Biblia: The Warrior Librarian: with Biblia on the job, you won't even miss Xena. A must-visit site that offers "a completely different perspective on school libraries in Australia." Humorous and fascinating.
Children's Book Council of Australia: features Children's Book of the Year Awards, author/illustrator information, Children's Book Week events and exhibitions, and more.
The Lu Rees Archive of Australian Children's Literature: "a collection of resources encouraging the study and research of Australian children's literature. The Archives was established in 1974 and since 1980 has been located within the Library at the University of Canberra in Canberra, Australia. The collection includes 12,000 books including over 800 translations, a large collection of manuscripts and artwork and an extensive collection of research material on Australian children's and young adults authors and illustrators."
Story-Go-Round: A Guide to Children's Books from Lorraine Orman. A New Zealand librarian's site with an international focus. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Learn more about: Mem Fox.
GREAT BOOKS FOR BOYS: MORE THAN 600 BOOKS FOR BOYS 2 TO 14 by Kathleen Odean (Ballatine, 1998). Annotated listings for raising strong, sensitive sons with a love of quality literature. Although there are a couple of such books on the market, Odean's are particularly outstanding.
Why Adults Can't Read Boy Readers by children's book author Marc Aronson.
Buddhist Books for Children from the University of Pennsylvania.
Children's Crown Award: national award sponsored by the National Christian School Association.
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Christian YA Fiction: contemporary series.
The Christian Writing Market: A Place for Beginners by Marcia Laycock from Writing-World.com.
Faithful Fiction (and Other Genres) for Teens from Berkely County Library.
The Growing and Changing Christian Magazine and Book Markets with Terry Whalin: a chatlog from The Institute of Children's Literature.
Inspirational Fiction - Series for Teens (ages 12-16) from the Logan Library in Logan, Utah.
Writing for the Teen Religious Market by Kathryn Lay from Writing-World.com; emphasis on Christian publications.
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ACHUKA: Children's Books UK: a mega site of author interviews, great links, industry news, and more. One of the more fun major launch sites into children's literature, net-wide. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Greek Children's Literature Page by Dominique Sandis Ph.D. Candidate at the University of the Aegean, Rhodes -- Greece. Includes: "Taking a Stroll Through Time Within the Realm of Greek Children's Literature" "Translations and Adaptations of Literary Works for Children in Greece;" "A Small Presentation of Current Trends in Greek Children's Literature Criticism;" "News, Personal Commentary and Useful Information;" "Selective Bibliography of Greek Children's Literature Criticism Texts" and "New Publications." HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
SCBWI France: French chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Site available in English and French language.
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GREAT BOOKS FOR GIRLS: MORE THAN 600 RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR GIRLS AGES 3-14 by Kathleen Odean, Chair of the 2002 Newbery Award Committee (Ballantine, 2002). Annotated listings for raising strong, thoughtful daughters with a love of quality literature. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Amelia Bloomer Project from the Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table the American Library Association.
Women and Gender Studies from the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection.
PICTURE BOOKS BY LATINO WRITERS: A GUIDE FOR LIBRARIANS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS by Sherry York (Linworth, 2002). This informative guide focuses on picture books of original stories (not translations or retellings) by U.S. Latino writers that are set in the U.S. and currently in print (English or bilingual formats). Includes: a chapter on The Need for Authentic Latino Literature; extensively annotated bibliography; author biographies; and more. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS IN SPANISH FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS: 1996 THROUGH 1999 by Isabel Schon, director of the Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents at California State University, San Marcos (Scarecrow Press, 2000).
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Américas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature from The Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP) at the Center for Latin America, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: lists criteria and past winners.
Hispanic Authors Recommended for an Author Visit from Nancy Keane's Booktalks. A listing.
The Pura Belpré Award co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA), an ALA Affiliate.
Learn more about: Diane Gonzales Bertrand; Carmen T. Bernier-Grand; Lupe Ruiz-Flores; Alex Sanchez; Maria Diaz Strom.
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Bibliography of Books Related to Mixed-Race Identity (including children's books) by the Association of MultiEthnic Americans. Features books not currently listed on this page.
Children's and Young Adult Books with Interracial Family Themes from CYALR.
Learn more about: Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu.
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Children's Books about Jewish Religion and Culture by Wendy Betts. Includes citations to reviews featured in Notes from the Windowsill.
Do You Know? Will You Remember? Books and Websites about the Holocaust for Children and Young Adults by Karen L. Simonetti. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
The Holocaust and Children’s Literature from Carol Hurt’s Children’s Literature Web Site.
"Jewish Book Publishing News:" a free biannual e-mail newsletter for booksellers, librarians, publishers, literary agents, and others with an interest in Jewish books. Each issue lists author contact information, along with dates and locations of book signings and programs featuring Jewish books. Past issues of the column (with hotlinks) are available on the Anna Olswanger Books website. Visitors can subscribe to the column by going to http://www.olswanger.com and clicking on "Subscribe to Jewish Book Publishing News."
Jewish Stars: Recommended Books With Jewish Themes for Schools and Libraries (PDF format) is now available on the Web site of the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL).
New Jewish Values Finder: A Guide To Values in Jewish Children's Books from the Association of Jewish Libraries: a continuously updated database of Jewish children's books searchable by values, subjects, author, title, grade level, publisher, illustrator, and year of publication; a book bag that allows you to select titles from searches you have done and print them into lists that give full information about each book, including notes on content and the values they contain; information about children's books that have won Jewish book awards and others that have received honors or notable book status; news about Jewish children's literature and book publishing; links to other sites related to Jewish children's literature.
Children's Books With Muslim and Related Cultural Themes from children's book author Rukhsana Khan.
Literature for Young People: Islamic Traditions and Muslim Cultures by Kay E. Vandergrift.
Learn more about: Rukhsana Khan.
Books with Native American Indian Characters and Themes from CYALR. Features links related to Native themes in children's books and Native literature as well as links of special interest to teachers and librarians.
"A Different Drum: Native American Writing" by Cynthia Leitich Smith, "Field Notes," (The Horn Book Magazine, July 2002)(p.407). A discussion of the value of vulnerability of Native American writing styles in the mainstream market.
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"If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything": "assisting Indian Communities in Increasing Literacy Skills While Preserving Native American Identity."
"Native Now: Contemporary Indian Stories" by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Book Links, December 2000).
Oyate: a Native organization emphasizing the need for accuracy and respect in historical and contemporary depictions of Native peoples as well as an appreciation of stories written, told, and illustrated by Native people.
Resource Center of the Americas: informing, educating, and organizing for human rights, democracy, and justice. Central/South American emphasis. Books and teacher/curriculum resources.
Learn more about Joseph Bruchac, Louise Erdrich, Joy Harjo, Devon A. Mihesuah, and Tim Tingle.
HAPPY EVER AFTERS: A STORYBOOK GUIDE TO TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT DISABILITY by Kathy Sanders (Trentham Books, 2000). Overview of related issues includes annotated bibliography of suggested titles and discussion prompts. Available in paperback.
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Children's Literature and Disability from the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.
Dolly Gray Award recognizes books offering positive depictions of children with developmental disabilities.
A Guide To Children's Literature And Disabilities from the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities.
Scheider Family Book Award from the American Library Association "for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences."
Teens and Parents with Mental and Physical Disorders from Richmond Heights Memorial Library.
Books With Gay and Lesbian Characters: collection of links to numerous bibliographies and related resources from The University of Colorado, Denver.
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The Closet Club: Gay Fiction for Teens from Jennifer Hubert of Reading Rants. Thoughtful choices with good summaries.
Not The Only One: Books With Gay Characters/Recommended for Teens from Berkeley Public Library Teen Services.
Out and About: Books for GLBT Teens from the Bay County Library System.
Learn more about: Nancy Garden; Brent Hartinger; Julie Anne Peters; Alex Sanchez; Ellen Wittlinger.
RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME by Cynthia Leitich Smith is recommended in DOES ANYBODY ELSE LOOK LIKE ME? A PARENT’S GUIDE TO RAISING MULTIRACIAL CHILDREN by Donna Jackson Nakazawa (Da Capo Press, 2004).
"Referring to American Children’s literature, books published in the U.S. primarily for the American market, underrepresented groups include: European Americans (as in Irish American, German American, Norwegian American specifically, rather than unspecified “white); all peoples of the African and Australian continents; peoples of the middle east (though this is beginning to improve); Asians beyond Indian, Chinese, and Korean; Latinos (all subgroups, though this is improving); and contemporary Native Americans."
"The danger of ethnic book awards is ghettoization.
"If we put books with Jewish characters aside and label them 'Jewish books for Jewish children' that would be a real shame. Ethnic book awards should create connections, not limitations. The best literature, and I consider the All-of-a-Kind Family books [by Sydney Taylor] to be among the best, should have the ability to speak to a large number of people without limits based on race, ethnicity, culture, or religion."
— Linda
Sue Park,
Newbery-winning author of A SINGLE SHARD
“It was difficult to find a book company that understood my stories. When I queried editors in bigger publishing houses, they weren't ready for college educated Latinas, or felt there wasn't a need for 'another girl goes to the beach story.' It was incredibly frustrating because I didn't want to perpetuate any stereotypes about Mexican-Americans, especially those who live in Texas. "
— Diane Gonzales Bertrand, San Antonio Children's Book Author
Excellent multicultural children's literature resource; click
for free catalog and e-newsletter.
Australian Search Engine For Kids: KidsNet.Au