Children's books have fought bigotry and advocated inclusion well before Ezra Jack Keats's “The Snowy Day” hit the market. Cultural observers credit Keats' illustrations for helping to pave the way for more inclusive and diverse children's literature. The 1962 book features Peter, an African American boy, who explores his neighborhood after the season's first snowfall.

In that vein, we recall covering Steve Richardson's "Paisley Rabbit and the Treehouse Contest."  It's a story about Paisley Rabbit, who has never touched a hammer or a nail and has no one to help her.  Nevertheless, she enters a contest to build a treehouse.

That trend continues as Nadine Haruni helps kids understand that families come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. In her fifth installment of the Freeda the Frog children's book series, "Freeda the Frog and the Two Mommas Next Door."  In the latest book, Haruni teaches young audiences the critical concept of acceptance.  According to the Census Bureau's most recent data, there were about 1.2 million same-sex couple households in the United States.

According to other recent statistics, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States. Toya Smith's debut book, "Arti the Super Kid," tells the heartwarming story of a 7-year-old autistic boy named Arti.

 "It's crucial that we continue to educate our youth on the significance of accepting and supporting those who may be different from us. This will foster a culture of inclusivity and empathy," says Smith. The narrative beautifully captures Arti's journey as he navigates through the challenges of fitting in with his peers due to his unique autistic abilities. In tackling themes of acceptance and difference, "Arti" is a poignant reminder to readers about embracing diversity and individuality.

In the spirited "Boopable," a fox dubbed Henri inspired Mary Ann Redmond to write a fun book and music video. A visit to the singer-songwriter's yard "opened a portal" to an animal sanctuary in her yard. Henri would visit her yard for the next six years, inspiring her to have a deeper connection to nature and wildlife. This eventually led to Redmond writing the children's book and a corresponding animated song about their connection.

In "Boopable!," Redmond creates a fun rhyming scheme by combining emotions with different animals. As a professional entertainer, she has included a QR code in the book that links to an animated music video called "Boopable!" You will also find the Port of Harlem magazine link on the "Activities" page for this and several upcoming issues under Young Adults.