20 Children's Books to Teach the Importance of Equality and Acceptance

Kids’ experience of equality may be treating other children the same at school, or learning how minority groups have fought for equal rights throughout history. The books on this list will help to encourage kids to accept others whatever their gender, race or orientation through pictures and simple language they can relate to.

books about equality and acceptance

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo

Marlon Bundo is a lonely bunny – that is until he falls in love with a boy bunny just like him. This charming book, from the Emmy-winning show “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”, helps kids to recognize the importance of demonstrating tolerance towards others.

$16.99

You Be You! Explaining Gender, Love & Family

Everyone is different; “You Be You!” celebrates differences in gender and orientation. The book is filled with illustrations, and the language is easy to understand for kids of all ages, helping them to accept others who may not be the same as them, whilst encouraging them to be proud of who they are too.

$289.99

Annie's Plaid Shirt

Not every little girl likes pink, wants to play with dolls, and wears dresses, especially not Annie. Challenging gender norms, this book encourages girls to be who they want to be, promoting social acceptance through a heart-warming narrative, which was a Gold recipient at the Mom’s Choice Awards®.

$16.95

Super Ma!

Every child thinks that their mom is the best, but they might not always remember to tell her. With the help of his friend, this little boy comes up with a plan to show his mom that she’s Super Ma, encouraging kids to appreciate the love and support of their parents.

$7.09

Pink is for Boys

It’s 2018, yet gender stereotypes are still prevalent in society. This book aims to encourage children to ignore the blue vs. pink gender binary for boys and girls, and wear, do, or play with what they want. The vibrant pictures demonstrate that life around them is filled with color, not just blue and pink.

$15.99

Franny's Father is a Feminist

Sadly, there’s still a stigma around being a feminist, especially as a male. However, Franny’s father knows that girls can do anything that boys can do, and he raises Franny to believe it too. This storybook shows the significance of men’s empowerment of girls from a young age through their charming father-daughter relationship.

$13.49

Knowing and Doing What's Right

Sometimes kids might know what’s right and what’s wrong, but they may have trouble expressing it. Part of the Adding Assets series, this book aims to help them to build on the 6 Positive Values assets, including social justice, integrity, and honesty, so they can stand up for what they believe in.

$14.98

Trampoline Boy

Trampoline Boy loves to jump up and down on his trampoline, but not everyone who passes by understands his enthusiasm for jumping. This lyrical picture book helps kids to understand that not everyone has the same likes and dislikes, and Trampoline Boy’s jumping gives him his own perspective.

$17.99

Equality for All Set

These social studies books introduce kids to important figures who changed the course of history, including Frederick Douglass, the leader of the Abolitionist movement, and suffragists Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton. Each book includes photos, maps, and charts to help them learn about the importance of speaking out against injustice.

$68.73

She's Not Good for a Girl, She's Just Good!

Little girls aren’t weak or inferior, they can achieve anything that boys can – even on the sports field. This rhyming storybook helps to empower girls, whilst teaching boys about gender equality, encouraging future generations of kids to accept equality between the sexes as the norm.

$23.65

Everyone Is Equal: The Kids' Book of Tolerance

Helping kids to respect others, “Everyone is Equal”, includes photos and simple text to teach kids to be tolerant of people’s appearances, abilities, and beliefs. It’s never too early to encourage your children to be accepting of anyone who looks or acts differently to them; their compassion and sense of justice will make you proud.

$29.93

The Adventures of Honey & Leon

An insight in to what your dogs get up to when you’re not there, this storybook by best-selling author Alan Cumming follows the adventures of Honey and Leon. As man’s best friends, they want to keep their 2 dads safe – but first they need to find out where they disappear to every day.

$10.52

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 50 Postcards

If your little girl is a rebel with a cause, she’ll feel empowered after reading about these strong women. The 50 cards in this set feature females who have championed women’s rights throughout history. Each card can be personalized with a message, and they can be given to friends or included in a gift. #girlpower

$16.94

We Are All Dots: A Big Plan for a Better World

Depicting society’s minority groups with contrasting black and white dots, this book simplifies the political and socio-economic divides around the world in a way that kids can understand. And the book provides an equally simple answer to the question of how these groups can live side-by-side without conflict – just be nice to each other.

$3.53

Rad American Women A-Z Postcards

These women are rad – not bad or mad. Despite the challenges they’ve faced, and the names they’ve been called, they’ve stood up for what they’ve believed in, and now they’re included in this A-Z of American feminists as inspiring role models for young girls.

$12.99

Lillian's Right to Vote

In today’s society it’s taken for granted that adults have the right to vote regardless of their gender or race. Books like this remind kids of the struggles that many people went through for equality, following the story of Lillian, as she remembers how her ancestors fought so she could go to the polls.

$12.69

Hug Me

Cacti need hugs too. Despite Felipe’s prickly appearance, he‘s a soft, caring soul who just wants to be loved, traveling through the desert to find a friend to hug. The moral of this story for kids is never judge a book by its cover… or a cactus by his spines.

$17.99

She Persisted

Written by Chelsea Clinton, the title “She Persisted” reflects the relentlessness of the women within its pages. From Helen Keller to Oprah Winfrey, the strong women featured in the book (as well as the one who wrote it) got where they did by not taking ‘no’ for an answer, teaching girls today an important lesson.

$10.40

Families, Families, Families!

Families come in different shapes and sizes, but what makes them the same is their love for each other. The rhyming story makes this book a fun read for kids, reassuring them that just because their household isn’t like their friends’, it doesn’t make them any less of a family.

$12.69

Mommy, Mama, and Me

Aimed at younger kids, this board book makes a heart-warming gift for parents to be in a same-sex couple. Through this sweet story, children with 2 Mommies will learn that they are the luckiest kids, as they have twice as many moms to love them.

$7.99

3 Diy Activities to Promote Acceptance for Kids

Diy Empathy Game

Empathy can be difficult for kids to get their heads around; but when they do start to recognize what others are feeling, you know your little one is growing up to be compassionate and caring. Download this free printable to make an empathy game to help kids understand how to read social situations.

Diy Scratch Art Affirmations

Kids can do this activity on their own or in a group to help them build self-esteem. They can etch positive words in to the paint, or even describe their strengths. Once they’ve got the words on the page, they’ll be more confident speaking about how they feel.

Diy Growth Mindset Coloring Pages

Help kids color their way to positive vibes with these coloring sheet packages. With phrases like “Don’t give up!” and “I can do hard things” printed on to the page, kids will start to believe in themselves more and more with each stroke of their felt tip. There are also 2 free sheets to download.