Diverse bookshelves reflect the rich variety of human experiences.

Multicultural classrooms, multicultural education and multicultural bookshelves help to promote empathy, prepare children to thrive in a global world, develop cultural intelligence, encourage critical thinking, foster mutual respect for others and so much more.  

When kids encounter characters from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, they gain empathy, develop a broader understanding of the world, and begin to recognize the beauty in both difference and common ground.

In short, a diverse bookshelf doesn’t just build better readers—it helps shape more compassionate, culturally aware humans.

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Here are some tips on a curating a diverse and inclusive multicultural book collection:

Prioritize Authentic Voices

Seek out stories written by authors from the cultures being represented. Lived experience brings depth, truth, and cultural nuance that no research can replicate.

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Balance Celebration with the Everyday

Cultural holidays and big traditions are important, but don’t stop there. Include books that show kids simply living their daily lives—walking to school, playing games, sharing meals. Everyday joy matters.

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Normalize Multilingual and Multicultural Stories

Choose books that celebrate multiple languages and cultures. Bilingual books and stories told from various perspectives help kids understand that there’s more than one way to experience the world—and that all are valid.

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Encourage Reflection

Turn reading into conversation. Ask open-ended questions like:

“What did you notice?”
“What felt familiar or different?”
This simple habit helps deepen understanding and invites kids to connect more personally with what they read.

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Use Geography as a Guide

Hang a world map near your bookshelf (or in your classroom) and challenge readers to find books from each continent. You don’t need to own every book—local libraries, book swaps, and cultural centers are great resources.

For kids, cultural intelligence helps them understand that just because someone dresses differently, speaks another language, or celebrates different holidays doesn’t mean they’re strange—it means they’re unique.