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, including (but 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)