Given the ever changing and unpredictable nature of the situation we’ve been facing, the return of in-school classes this fall is up in the air in some areas. Having children at home during the school year has allowed parents to closely monitor exactly what they’re being taught. This has often revealed some holes in the school’s curriculum, especially when it comes to the history of the country.

School textbooks don’t always do a great job of giving space to the stories of underrepresented communities. They also don’t always reflect the culturally diverse faces of the students reading them. When the books that kids are assigned don’t paint an inclusive picture, parents may want to supplement them with tales written by those who have historically been left out.

There are several titles that give a voice to the people, places, and events that don’t always make it into textbooks. We’ve compiled a list of children’s picture books that offer fun, inclusive, and educational stories for the upcoming school year and beyond.

1. Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down tells the story of the monumental peaceful demonstration by four Black college students at a Greensboro whites only lunch counter in 1960. Partners Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney wrote and illustrated the book respectively. The narrative incorporates a poetic prose with timely food metaphors while the illustrations are infused with emotion, hope, and strength. In addition to detailing the events of the sit-in, the book also provides a civil rights timeline, historical facts, and other suggested readings.

2. Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History

Written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison, Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History sheds light on several impactful Black men throughout history, including aviators, artists, politicians, pop stars, athletes, and activists. Their impact has been felt across continents and some have been inspiring younger generations for centuries. The stories of exceptional men include writer James Baldwin, artist Aaron Douglas, filmmaker Oscar Devereaux Micheaux, lawman Bass Reeves, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, and musical artist Prince.

3. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Dedicating a separate book to the inspiring Black women in American history, Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History highlights the heroes, role models, and everyday women who accomplished extraordinary things. Also written and illustrated by Harrison, each spread covers the stories of women from different times in history who have made a powerful impact in a world that doesn’t always accept or celebrate them including astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, singer Nichelle Nichols, nurse Mary Seacole and more. Not only an educational read, these stories will also inspire young minds to dream big.

4. A Sweet Smell of Roses

In honor of youth that played a vital role in the Civil Rights movement, A Sweet Smell of Roses envisions a march led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the eyes of two young sisters who snuck out to attend. The text by Angela Johnson and images illustrated by Eric Velasquez vividly details the march for freedom and justice that almost makes the reader feel like they’re back in history. It goes to show that you’re never too young to help create change in a big way.

5. Let the Children March

Another visually stunning account of the Civil Rights movement is Let the Children March written by Monica Clark-Robinson and illustrated by Frank Morrison. The pages are lined with inspirational messages, songs of freedom, and banners from the times as the story follows the main character, an African American girl, as she takes part in the 1963 Children’s Crusade. Set in Birmingham, Alabama, these brave young kids march to protest segregation and the contentious conditions of the south.

6. Asian Americans Who Inspire Us

Asian Americans Who Inspire Us celebrates the powerful impact of 16 Asian-Americans who come from a wide range of Asian descent. Written and illustrated by Analizi Quiroz Wolf, this book features the inspiring work, inventions, and accomplishments of American heroes that may not always be told in schools. Through portrait illustrations and informative passages, children can learn more about Vietnam Memorial architect Maya Lin, Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, classical musician Yo-Yo Ma, astronaut Ellison Onizuka and more.

7. Turning Pages: My Life Story

The first Hispanic and Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor shares how she became the powerful pioneer that she is in Turning Pages: My Life Story. Accompanied by illustrations from Lulu Delacre, this autobiography covers Justice Sotomayor’s challenging childhood, how she overcame those difficulties — including her father's death and being diagnosed with diabetes — and how books comforted and inspired her to keep pushing forward. In her book, she passes on her love for reading while giving a glimpse into the life of public service.

8. Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes

With engaging facts compiled and crafted by Juan Felipe Herrera and stunning artwork by Raul Colon, Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes educates young readers on 20 influential Hispanic men and women and how they’ve helped shape American history. Profiles include civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, educator Jaime Escalante, baseball player Roberto Clemente, and many more. These portraits serve as an enlightening read for all ages.

9. Yes! We Are Latinos: Poems and Prose About the Latino Experience

Celebrating the diversity, culture, and impact of Hispanic heritage in the US, Yes! We Are Latinos: Poems and Prose About the Latino Experience introduces 13 fictional Latino American characters and covers historical information about the countries their families came from. These multifaceted stories span the country from New York to Los Angeles and include young characters of Mexican, Panamanian, Venezuelan, multiracial descent, and more written by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy with illustrations by David Diaz The perspective of each youth told through free-verse fictional narratives details specific situations for kids to better understand the Latino people’s quest for understanding and representation.

10. We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know

Textbooks too often frame Native American history as if it has ended. We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know makes sure that the education continues. Throughout the book told by Traci Sorell with illustration by Frane Lessac, twelve Native American kids present historical and contemporary laws, policies, struggles, and victories in Native life. Readers are enlightened on the topics of forced assimilation, land allotment and Native tribal reorganization, Native civil rights, Native language revival efforts, cultural persistence, and much more. Offering kids a view they don't learn in school about Native American people's past, present, and future, this title is a companion to the award-winning book We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga also by Sorell and Lessac.

School textbooks may skim over or completely leave out certain historical events that involve communities of color but with these titles your child will be educated about the history of the country through more than one lens.

10 Picture Books to Expand Your Children's History Lessons