At Namaste Montessori School we recognize the need to provide children with exposure to diverse voices, cultures and people. We are working to update our library to include more titles that accurately reflect the great diversity of our country and the world beyond. This includes (but is not limited to) showing diverse skin tones, hair types, cultural backgrounds, indigenous cultures, gender roles and identities, abilities and disabilities, family structures, socio-economic statuses, and urban/rural locations. Marilyn Garin, a Namaste parent, has compiled a list of titles to get us started and we will keep adding to this list. Please share titles you have come across that brought your family a new perspective through beautiful text and pictures!
To begin this project, we need your financial support. You can support us by purchasing books though the two publishers participating in our book fair: Barefoot Books (book fair event ID: 23623) and Enchanted Lion Press (using the code NAMASTE), and by donating to our GoFundMe campaign during the month of November.
The Namaste Montessori School Library Project Wish List
- Oona by Kelly DiPucchio
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
- Our Skin by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Isabel Roxas
- My Baby Loves Halloween by Jabari Asim (Board Book)
- Raising Dragons by Jerdine Nolen
- Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand
- Jingle Dancer by Cynthia L. Smith
- Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard
- Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal
- Once Upon a World Series – Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, Rapunzel (Board Books)
- Islandborn by Junot Díaz
- The Water Princess by Susan Verde
- Boonoonoonous Hair by Laura James
- Family Reunion by Chad and Dad Richardson
- Saffron Ice Cream by Rashin Kheiriyeh
- Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
- The Stuff Between the Stars by Sandra Nickel
- We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
- Danny Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim
- The Sandwich Swap by Kelly DiPucchio and Rania Al Abdullah
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
- How to Wear a Sari by Darshana Khiani
- Meesha Makes Friends by Tom Percival
- When the Babies Came to Stay by Christine McDonnell
- The Shape of Home by Rashin Kheiriyeh
- Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan
- Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani
- Holi Colors by Rina Singh (Board Book)
Update! We have expanded our wish list and increased our goal. Thank you to all the generous donations so far! Series (for newer independent readers who appreciate a larger font and more frequent pictures)
- Sofia Valdez by Andrea Beaty
- Zoey and Sassafras by Asia Citro
- Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi
- Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina
- Nikki and Deja by Karen English
- The Clubhouse Mysteries by Sharon Draper
- Jo Jo Makoons by Dawn Quigley
- Planet Omar by Zanib Mian
- The Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol by Andres Miedoso
- Katie Woo by Fran Manushkin
- Pedro by Fran Manushkin
- Sadiq by Siman Nuurali
Series
(for readers who are more comfortable with longer chapters or fewer illustrations)
The Unicorn Rescue Society by Adam Gidwitz
Pages & Co. by Anna James
The Zach and Zoe Mysteries by Mike Lupica
Stand Alone Books
- The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
- Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson
- Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
- The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
- Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
- Children of the Fox by Kevin Sands
- The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm
- Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable
- We Belong by Cookie Hiponia Everman (novel in verse, aimed at 9-11 year olds)