Reading Representation Grades K-2

The books on this list have been curated for grades K-2 by Guilford Free Library and Guilford Public Schools librarians. These titles showcase characters from a wide range of backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities, and family structures, affirming everyone’s presence and value in society while also being good stories that children enjoy! Reading stories from different perspectives inspires empathy, fostering self-love as well as a greater connection with others. This project is also presented by the Guilford Anti-Bias Anti-Racist (ABAR) Alliance, a collaborative partnership of educators, parents, and caregivers who work to further inclusion, equity, and tolerance within Guilford Public Schools. Learn more at www.GuilfordCtABAR.com.

Showing 1 - 20 of 48  There are a total of 48 valid entries on the list.
Book cover for "Adventures to school"
Star rating for Adventures to school
Description:
"Children all around the world go to school. Whether they're from Japan, Ukraine, Pakistan, or the United States, all students have the desire to learn about our world and shape the future. Some children walk for three hours while others take a bus or walk over a wire bridge. The treks of these students are unique, extraordinary, and even dangerous, and it emphasizes the common determination, perseverance, and sense of adventure shared by young people...
Book cover for "Alfie"
Star rating for Alfie
Author:
Average Rating:
4 stars
Description:
Told from the perspective of both the girl, Nia, and her pet turtle, Alfie, and describes what happens when he disappears on the eve of her seventh birthday to find her a special present.
Book cover for "All around us"
Star rating for All around us
Average Rating:
3 stars
Description:
Finding circles everywhere, a grandfather and his granddaughter meditate on the cycles of life and nature.

4. Almond

Book cover for "Almond"
Star rating for Almond
Author:
Description:
The New Girl at school plays the violin so beautifully that Almond gets lost in the music, but she also feels sad because she does not know if she herself has any talent at all--until the school play, when with the encouragement of her mother, her teacher, and the New Girl, she finds she has a talent for acting.
Book cover for "Anna Hibiscus"
Star rating for Anna Hibiscus
Author:
Description:
Anna, who lives with her parents, twin brothers, and large extended family in Africa, is overjoyed when she learns she gets to go on a beach vacation with her parents, but once away from her aunts and cousins, Anna begins to think that vacations aren't sogreat after all when you can't experience them with everyone you love.
Book cover for "Anna Hibiscus' song"
Star rating for Anna Hibiscus' song
Author:
Book cover for "Book Uncle and me"
Star rating for Book Uncle and me
Description:
Every day, nine-year-old Yasmin borrows a book from Book Uncle, a retired teacher who has set up a free lending library next to her apartment building. But when the mayor tries to shut down the rickety bookstand, Yasmin has to take her nose out of her book and do something. But what can she do? The local elections are coming up but she's just a kid. She can't even vote! Still, Yasmin has friends her best friend, Reeni, and Anil, who even has a black...
Book cover for "A boy called Bat"
Star rating for A boy called Bat
Average Rating:
5 stars
Description:
When his veterinarian mom brings home a stray baby skunk that needs rehabilitation before it can be placed in a wild animal shelter, Bat, who has autism, resolves to prove that he is up to the challenge of caring for the skunk permanently.
Book cover for "The boy who was raised by librarians"
Star rating for The boy who was raised by librarians
Description:
Melvin discovers that the public library is the place where he can find just about anything--including three librarians who help in his quest for knowledge.
Book cover for "Career day"
Star rating for Career day
Description:
Each child in Mrs. Madoff's class brings a visitor who tells the group about his or her job. Guided reading level : I
Book cover for "Corduroy"
Star rating for Corduroy
Average Rating:
4 stars
Description:
A toy bear in a department store wants a number of things, but when a little girl finally buys him he finds what he has always wanted most of all.
Book cover for "Double trouble for Anna Hibiscus!"
Star rating for Double trouble for Anna Hibiscus!
Author:
Description:
From the stellar team of Atinuke and Lauren Tobia comes the third Anna Hibiscus picture book title brimming with all the best-loved Hibiscus family members - and Anna's two brand new baby brothers! Everything is changing for Anna Hibiscus, she's a sister! But - oh dear - everyone is now so busy! Uncle Bizi-Sunday is shopping for the babies, Aunty Joli and Aunty Grace are rocking the babies and Mama and Grandma are fast asleep ...but just who has time...
Book cover for "Evelyn Del Rey is moving away"
Star rating for Evelyn Del Rey is moving away
Author:
Description:
Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela's best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today--not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it's time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special. The tenderness...
Book cover for "Evelyn del Rey se muda"
Star rating for Evelyn del Rey se muda
Author:
Description:
"Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela's best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today-not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it's time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special. The tenderness...
Book cover for "Friday night wrestlefest"
Star rating for Friday night wrestlefest
Description:
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's Friday night, and these kids are ready to wrestle! Join Dangerous Daddoo as he dishes out some serious moves to get the kids ready for bed. But what happens when Flying Mom Bomb gets home from work? Are the kids toast?
Book cover for "Go well, Anna Hibiscus!"
Star rating for Go well, Anna Hibiscus!
Author:
Description:
Anna Hibiscus and her family are going to the village with Grandfather. They travel by bus through mangrove swamp and rainforest, through scrubland and rivers, over hills and mountains. When they arrive, everyone stays in Anna's family house, which first belonged to her great-grandmother and great-grandfather. Little has changed since then: there is no running water, no electricity, no road and no traffic signals. But Anna Hibiscus' life is about...
Book cover for "Good luck, Anna Hibiscus!"
Star rating for Good luck, Anna Hibiscus!
Author:
Description:
"Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa. She can't wait to fly across the world and visit her granny in Canada. But can she find enough warm clothes for the cold winter weather? And will her family miss her?"--P. [4] of cover.
Book cover for "The great CT caper"
Star rating for The great CT caper
Description:
Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut, has vanished! Now it's up to a couple of Connecticut kids to scour the state and help solve the great Connecticut caper.
Book cover for "Green pants"
Star rating for Green pants
Description:
Jameson refuses to wear pants that are not green, until he has to choose between wearing his green pants and wearing a tuxedo with black pants so that he can be in his cousin's wedding.
Book cover for "Hair love"
Star rating for Hair love
Average Rating:
4 stars
Description:
A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.