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 21 - 40 of 48  There are a total of 48 valid entries on the list.
Book cover for "Harlem Grown"
Star rating for Harlem Grown
Description:
"Once there was a lot full of trash. Now there is a lush, green farm. This is the story of Harlem Grown, a garden in New York City"--
Book cover for "Harriet gets carried away"
Star rating for Harriet gets carried away
Author:
Average Rating:
5 stars
Description:
While shopping with her two dads for supplies for her birthday party, Harriet, who is wearing a penguin costume, is carried away by a waddle of penguins and must hatch a plan in order to get herself back to the store in the city.
Book cover for "Have fun, Anna Hibiscus!"
Star rating for Have fun, Anna Hibiscus!
Author:
Description:
"Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa. But she is spending Christmas with her granny in Canada. She can't wait to see snow for the first time! And how will it feel to be so far from home?"--P. [4] of cover.
Book cover for "The heart of the wood"
Star rating for The heart of the wood
Description:
A cumulative tale in which a tree that is home to a singing mockingbird continues to be a source of music after it is fashioned into a fiddle.
Book cover for "Hooray for Anna Hibiscus!"
Star rating for Hooray for Anna Hibiscus!
Author:
Description:
Set in modern Nigeria, this illustrated chapter book follows Anna Hibiscus, who lives with her large, loving family in a compound in a big city, as she escapes hair-braiding day, plays hide-and-seek during a power outage and learns about spontaneous generosity.
Book cover for "Horray for Anna Hibiscus!"
Star rating for Horray for Anna Hibiscus!
Author:
Book cover for "I slightly want to go home"
Star rating for I slightly want to go home
Description:
Lola is going to her first sleepover at Lotta's house, but she is scared that she will not be able to fall asleep there.
Book cover for "If your monster won't go to bed"
Star rating for If your monster won't go to bed
Author:
Description:
A handbook for youngsters that includes such instructions as "pour your monster a nice big glass of healthy, crunchy, oozy bug juice slimed with ooey-gooey snail trails to calm him."
Book cover for "Jabari tries"
Star rating for Jabari tries
Average Rating:
5 stars
Description:
Making a flying machine can be frustrating, but a partner and a little patience just might help Jabari's invention soar.
Book cover for "Lola Levine is not mean!"
Star rating for Lola Levine is not mean!
Description:
Second-grader Lola has a wonderful family, a great teacher, and the best friend ever, Josh, and they all help her feel better after she is teased and forbidden to play team sports at recess for having accidentally hurt classmate Juan during a soccer game.
Book cover for "Love from Anna Hibiscus!"
Star rating for Love from Anna Hibiscus!
Author:
Description:
"Anna Hibiscus is with Grandmother and Grandfather in their village. When Anna Hibiscus goes to market one day and a boy steals a banana from her, she runs after him. It turns out that the boy is in trouble. How can Anna Hibiscus help?"--Page [4] of cover.
Book cover for "The night is yours"
Star rating for The night is yours
Average Rating:
5 stars
Description:
From a vantage point high in their apartment, a parent narrates as Amani plays hide-and-seek at night with her friends in the neighborhood.
Book cover for "No one but you"
Star rating for No one but you
Description:
Readers are invited to discover nature using their sense of smell, sight, hearing, touch, and taste.
Book cover for "Octopus stew"
Star rating for Octopus stew
Description:
Ramsey dons his superhero cape to rescue Grandma from the huge octopus she is trying to cook--or is he simply telling a story? Includes author's note on the story's origin and a recipe for Octopus stew.
Book cover for "Plenty of hugs"
Star rating for Plenty of hugs
Description:
Illustrations and gently rhyming text follow two mothers and their toddler on a sunny day.
Book cover for "Quiet! there's a canary in the library"
Star rating for Quiet! there's a canary in the library
Description:
Cary imagines a special day at the library when she invites only animals and birds to browse.
Book cover for "The sandwich swap"
Star rating for The sandwich swap
Description:
Best friends Lily and Salma disagree over their preferred foods, but after trading sandwiches to see how they taste, the girls change their minds.
Book cover for "Skateboard party"
Star rating for Skateboard party
Average Rating:
5 stars
Description:
"Richard can't wait to show off his skills at a friend's skateboard birthday party, but a note home from his teacher threatens to ruin his plans"--
Book cover for "The snowy day"
Star rating for The snowy day
Average Rating:
4.5 stars
Description:
The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.
Book cover for "Ten ways to hear snow"
Star rating for Ten ways to hear snow
Average Rating:
3 stars
Description:
Walking to her grandmother's home to help make warak enab, Lina discovers many ways to hear snow, from the scrape of a shovel on a sidewalk to the quiet pats of snowman-building.