Books About Joy Collection - BOOKSABOUTJOY
A disproportionate number of books about BIPOC protagonists focus on their marginalization. Though it is important for children to understand the history and complexity of oppression, racism, and discrimination, children—especially children of color—also deserve to see themselves thrive and to experience the joy of being part of a loving community. We've compiled a list of diverse books that reflect the daily lives of children and the joy of play, family and friends, and being themselves! For an even more extensive list of books about joy or to build out a collection for your school or library, please contact Katie Potter, Senior Literacy Specialist, at kpotter@leeandlow.com for more information.
To see the fully designed list in an interactive PDF form, click here.
Books About Joy Collection (41 Books): | $682.95 |

Siblings, Sharing & Giving, Native American Interest, Muslim/Muslim American Interest, Multiethnic interest, Latino/Hispanic/Mexican Interest, History, Grandparents, Friendship, Families, Cultural Diversity, African/African American Interest, Biracial/Multiracial Interest, Asian/Asian American Interest, Empathy/Compassion, Courage, Kindness/Caring
Included formats shown below in BOLD
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Dreaming UpBy Hale Illustrated by Hale |
Guided Reading: I
Lexile Level: AD550L |
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Drum, Chavi, Drum! / ¡Toca, Chavi, Toca!By Dole Illustrated by Tonel |
Guided Reading: N
AR Level: 0.5 - 3.1 |
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Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems / Jitomates Risueños y otros poemas de primaveraBy Alarcón Illustrated by Gonzalez |
Guided Reading: O
AR Level: 0.5 - 4.3 |
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If I Were a TreeBy Zimmerman Illustrated by Tsong |
Guided Reading: M
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Sunday ShoppingBy Derby Illustrated by Strickland |
Guided Reading: M
AR Level: 0.5 - 3.4 |
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My Colors, My World/ Mis colores, mi mundoBy Gonzalez Illustrated by Gonzalez |
Guided Reading: I
AR Level: 0.5 - 2.0 |
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Sumo JoeBy Wenjen Illustrated by Iwata |
Guided Reading: K DRA: 20 |
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Galápagos Girl/GalapagueñaBy Arnold Illustrated by Dominguez |
Guided Reading: P
Lexile Level: AD700L |
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King for a DayBy Khan Illustrated by Krömer |
Guided Reading: N
AR Level: 0.5 - 3.9 |
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The Turtle ShipBy Rhee Illustrated by Kong-Savage |
Guided Reading: O DRA: 34 |
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Drummer Boy of John JohnBy Greenwood Illustrated by Lessac |
Guided Reading: M
AR Level: 0.5 - 4.1 |
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There's No Base Like HomeBy Mendoza / Mendoza Dusan Illustrated by McNally Barshaw |
Guided Reading: V DRA: 50 |
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What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses?By Van Camp Illustrated by Littlechild
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Guided Reading: O
AR Level: 0.5 - 3.5 |
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Summoning the PhoenixBy Jiang Illustrated by Chu
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Guided Reading: T
AR Level: 0.5 - 5.9 |
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When Aidan Became a BrotherBy Lukoff Illustrated by Juanita |
Guided Reading: N DRA: 30 |
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The Electric Slide and KaiBy Baptist Illustrated by Johnson |
Guided Reading: O DRA: 34 |
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Maya's Blanket/ La manta de MayaBy Brown Illustrated by Diaz |
Guided Reading: M
AR Level: 0.5 - 4.1 |
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A Space for MeBy Falwell Illustrated by Falwell |
Guided Reading: K DRA: 20 |
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A Morning with GrandpaBy Liu Illustrated by Forshay |
Guided Reading: M
Lexile Level: AD570L |
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Juna's JarBy Park Illustrated by Hoshino |
Guided Reading: L
AR Level: 0.5 - 3.4 |
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Family Poems for Every Day of the Week/Poemas familiares para cada día de la semanaBy Alarcón Illustrated by Gonzalez |
Guided Reading: M
Lexile Level: NP |
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Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-jiBy Zia Illustrated by Min |
Guided Reading: O
AR Level: 0.5 - 3.0 |
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Where Fireflies Dance / Ahi, donde bailan las luciérnagasBy Corpi Illustrated by Reisberg
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Guided Reading: O
AR Level: 0.5 - 3.9 |
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When the Shadbush BloomsBy Katz / Messinger Illustrated by Fadden |
Guided Reading: O
AR Level: 0.5 - 4.8 |
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On These Magic ShoresBy Méndez |
Guided Reading: Y DRA: 60 |
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Summer of the MariposasBy McCall |
Guided Reading: Z
AR Level: 13.0 - 5.4 |
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Black All AroundBy Hubbell Illustrated by Tate |
Guided Reading: I
AR Level: 0.5 - 1.9 |
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Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combinaBy Brown Illustrated by Palacios |
Guided Reading: L
AR Level: 0.5 - 2.8 |
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Magic Like ThatBy Doyon Illustrated by Bowers |
Guided Reading: O DRA: 34 |
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Under My HijabBy Khan Illustrated by Jaleel |
Guided Reading: K
Lexile Level: AD710L |
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The Happiest TreeBy Krishnaswami Illustrated by Jeyaveeran |
Guided Reading: N
AR Level: 0.5 - 3.1 |
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Kiyoshi's WalkBy Karlins Illustrated by Wong |
Guided Reading: O DRA: 34 |
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Nacho's NachosBy Nickel Illustrated by Dominguez |
Guided Reading: O DRA: 34 |
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The Hula-Hoopin' QueenBy Godin by Brantley-Newton |
Guided Reading: P
AR Level: 0.5 - 3.4 |
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The Monster in the MudballBy Gates |
Guided Reading: V
AR Level: 5.0 - 4.8 |
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Julieta and the Diamond EnigmaBy Armendáriz |
Guided Reading: U DRA: 44 |
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The Shadow PrinceBy Durham |
Guided Reading: Y DRA: 60 |
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The Witch Owl Parliament (Clockwork Curandera #1)By Bowles / Raúl the Third Illustrated by Duffy / Robinson |
Guided Reading: Z+
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Rebel SeoulBy Oh
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Guided Reading: Z+
AR Level: 13.0 - 5.2 |
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Cat Girl's Day OffBy Pauley |
Guided Reading: Z
AR Level: 11.0 - 4.4 |
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Zombies Don't Eat Veggies!By Lacera / Lacera Illustrated by Lacera |
Guided Reading: O
Lexile Level: AD460L |
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