Is your brain magic? Whether your brain buzzes around the room like a bee or tells you to be loud and roar like a lion, celebrate the many things that it can be!

This sensory-seeking celebration shines a light on neurodiversity and sensory processing in a fun and action-packed way for all children to enjoy.

Riya loves Diwali for the tasty treats but not the darkness and loud fireworks. Can Riya be brave and find a way to celebrate Diwali with her family without being scared?

Presented as a 'Once Upon a Time' bedtime story, children will learn the origin of Diwali and how it came to be a celebration of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali is a five-day long celebration beginning from purchasing silver and gold items, to decorating the home with lights and candles, to preparing baked goods and visiting friends and family, to ending the holiday with fireworks and a celebration of siblings.

Anita Mishra and Diah Chakraborty join together to represent their respective cultures as Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is celebrated around the world and across various religions including Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists.

Saif is just shy, or at least that's what everyone tells him. When his mom comforts him with a patchwork quilt made of his special memories, he remembers that he's so much more.

He was brave when he went down the biggest slide at the Eid picnic. He was smart when he won the scavenger hunt among his friends. He was persistent when it took him a year to learn to read the Quran. He's helpful when he lends a hand to clean up the mosque.

Saif isn't just shy. Like his patchwork quilt, he is still growing.

Ramadan is almost here! It's Zain's favorite time of the year.

Well, it usually is. After a recent move and with no mosque or Islamic school in his new neighborhood, will Zain find a new Muslim friend to celebrate with him?

Children will learn what makes the ninth Islamic month special from pre-Ramadan decorating, the importance of fasting and volunteering in the community, and the festivities and prayers that continue through the month, ending with Eid al-Fitr.

Marzieh A. Ali and Najwa Awatiff join together to celebrate their respective cultures as Ramadan is observed by Muslims around the world.

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books

I love my body. It's special to me. It's exactly the way it's meant to be.

An empowering celebration of bodies, promoting body positivity such as gratitude for our puffy cheeks that help us eat; strength in our round bellies that help store our food; pride in our natural hair; appreciation for the color of our skin; and more.

This board book tackles common body insecurities by turning them into attributes to celebrate early on. The upbeat rhyming text paired with vibrant illustrations makes for an engaging read aloud whether at home or in the classroom.

ONE invitation to a salsa dance. TWO dancing shoes to make a pair.

This bilingual English-Spanish book teaches how to count to 10 using salsa. Vamonos! Learn to count with salsa in English and Spanish.

Children, caretakers, and educators will love the rhythmic text paired with bright and colorful illustrations showcasing characters of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Benjamin Carver III, aka Mr. Smarty Pants, is basically a kid genius, comes from a lineage of Black inventors, and his family owns the local peanut factory, Carver Nuts.

One minor problem--he's extremely allergic to peanuts! So he invents tech solutions for his allergy problems.

When Deon, aka Dark Midnight, of the rival chocolate factory in town is jealous of Mr. Smarty Pants' lab and inventions, he creates a plan to steal them to become the top inventor in town. But Dark Midnight doesn't know Mr. Smarty Pants has the PB&J squad on his side, made up of his best friends Pete and Jemma.

An accessible introduction to graphic novels and reading for reluctant readers, Mr. Smarty Pants is fun-to-read and humorous while exposing kids and teens to STEM and Black History Figures like George Washington Carver.

One--Deep breath in, nice and slow. Two--Now breathe out . . . there you go.

Introduce self-regulation to the youngest readers early on by allowing them to model breathing, stretching, and movement with a parent or educator in 10 action-packed steps.

This board book allows children to refocus their minds and energies to achieve calm or to regain attention before doing activities that require more concentration. The upbeat rhyming text paired with vibrant illustrations makes for an engaging read aloud whether at home or in the classroom.

After Cali realizes that her natural hair doesn't listen to a thing she says, she decides to take her older sister's approach to treat her hair like a friend with kindness, love, and care.

This uplifting story shines an unfiltered light on the frustration that many children with ethnic hair have and provides a positive, whimsical spin on embracing and celebrating hair. The sibling relationship between Cali and her older sister Naomi demonstrates the passing down of hair care knowledge for generations.

Both Myrce'tez Gowan-Perkins and Danielle Arrington pulled from their own experiences with hair acceptance while creating this book in hopes that children will befriend their hair and embrace positive self-talk earlier in life.

May I please dance with you? Yes, thank you for asking.

This bilingual English-Spanish book teaches common manners through a dance class setting. The dancers also practice consent, learning how to say no and set boundaries with others. Vamonos! Learn to use manners with cumbia in English and Spanish.

Children, caretakers, and educators will love the rhythmic text paired with bright and colorful illustrations showcasing characters of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

The güira slides kish-kish-kish. The accordion stretches wah-wee-wah.

This bilingual English-Spanish book explores merengue instruments and the fun and sometimes silly sounds that they make. The musicians also practice their lefts and rights while marching in the band with friends. Vamonos! Learn about merengue instruments and their sounds in English and Spanish.

Children, caretakers, and educators will love the rhythmic text paired with bright and colorful illustrations showcasing characters of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

It's the first day of the Lunar New Year--the biggest, yummiest, NOISIEST celebration of the year! During the festivities, can Gege find the perfect moment to present his handcrafted surprise to his little sister?

Children will learn what makes the Lunar New Year special, from the preparation responsibilities, to the celebratory new moon signifying the first day of the holiday, and the festivities that continue in the following weeks.

Whether rice balls for family togetherness, spring rolls for a fresh start, or noodles for long life and happiness, this tale has a foodie focus and shows why Lunar New Year is the yummiest celebration of the year, too.

Jade Wang and Tammy Do join together to represent their respective cultures as Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, is celebrated around the world and in various Asian countries.

Through a hand-me-down traditional Mayan skirt, Emilia takes flight and sees her neighborhood in a new way, embracing her Guatemalan culture and letting her personality shine through her shyness.

Emilia would rather play with her kite alone than go to birthday parties, pick up beans for her mom's frijoles dinner, or wear her mom's old corte into town where everyone can see her. With a gust of wind, Emilia's corte takes flight, and she sees what it's like to miss out on celebrating with friends, dancing to the marimba at the park, and being brave enough to ask for her favorite cookie, champurradas. After the heavy frijoles weigh her down and lead her to walk back home, she gets a second chance to participate in neighborhood events.

Mother-daughter duo Veronica Castillo and Juleesa Espinoza penned this Spanglish tale together, with Juleesa also illustrating, to spur conversations about culture within families and inspire children, especially those from immigrant parents, to appreciate their roots.

Whether round and crunchy like a kimchi pancake or pinched and plump like a kimchi dumpling, there are so many ways to enjoy this Korean traditional dish.

Explore the different ways to eat kimchi in this fun, rhyming tale that also teaches the days of the week. Korean-American author-illustrator Erica Kim shares her pride in her delicious cultural food through her cut paper art technique. The Hanji paper that is used to illustrate the book comes from a paper mulberry tree native to Korea.

This beautiful reflection of culture will inspire children to take pride in their cultural foods, too.

A Bookstagang Best Read Aloud Book of 2022!

I can do many things all by myself, but sometimes I need a little help.

A young child boasts about all the new things they can do such as stack blocks, connect two puzzle pieces, and put on their shoes. When it comes time to build a castle, complete a full puzzle, or tie their laces, they may have to ask for help. And that's okay!

Elizabeth Everett channeled her experience as a teacher to pen this empowering story, and Shelley Hanmo used vibrant and fun cut paper art to bring a child's favorite activities to do (with help!) to life.

In Xavier's neighborhood, tattoos represent gang membership. After Xavier catches an unexpected glimpse of his new teacher's tattoos, he learns that there's more than meets the eye when it comes to the cultural significance of tattoos.

Based on real events that took place during author Darren Lopez's first year teaching in Washington DC, My Teacher Has Tattoos is an impactful conversation starter that brings to life the pitfalls of stereotyping in the classroom and beyond.

More than you imagine, I want the best for you. I'll always be beside you in everything you do.

A collection of parents' hopes, dreams, and promises of unconditional love empowers children to build a strong foundation and become more than they ever imagined.

The illustrations represent multiple families and those of diverse family structures, including interracial, same-sex, adoptive, and single parent families, making this a soon-to-be cherished book about parent and child bonding for any family.

Debut author Thelia Hutchinson's heartfelt words and Adriana Predoi's whimsical art are a wonderful duo.

Benjamin Carver III, aka Mr. Smarty Pants, is basically a kid genius, comes from a lineage of Black inventors, and his family owns the local peanut factory, Carver Nuts.

One minor problem--he's extremely allergic to peanuts! So he invents tech solutions for his allergy problems.

When Deon, aka Dark Midnight, of the rival chocolate factory in town is jealous of Mr. Smarty Pants' lab and inventions, he creates a plan to steal them to become the top inventor in town. But Dark Midnight doesn't know Mr. Smarty Pants has the PB&J squad on his side, made up of his best friends Pete and Jemma.

An accessible introduction to graphic novels and reading for reluctant readers, Mr. Smarty Pants is fun-to-read and humorous while exposing kids and teens to STEM and Black History Figures like George Washington Carver.

En el barrio de Javier, los tatuajes identifican a miembros de una pandilla. Cuando Javier ve los tatuajes del maestro, aprende que no todo es como parece y descubre el significado cultural de los tatuajes.

Esta historia está basada en lo que sucedió cuando Darren López cursaba el primer año como maestro en Washington DC sin conocer la cultura centroamericana. Es un buen punto de partida para hablar con los niños sobre formas de autoexpresión, como los tatuajes, y cómo pueden mostrar positivamente una cultura o el recorrido personal de alguien en vez de tener una conexión con algo peligroso.

In Javier's neighborhood, tattoos represent gang membership. After Javier catches an unexpected glimpse of his new teacher's tattoos, he learns that there's more than meets the eye when it comes to the cultural significance of tattoos.

Based on real events that took place during author Darren Lopez's first year teaching in Washington DC, My Teacher Has Tattoos is an impactful conversation starter that brings to life the pitfalls of stereotyping in the classroom and beyond. This Spanish-language translation brings an important story of overcoming bias to a new audience.

Faiza wants to win the biggest boxing tournament in town. When the odds are stacked against her, will she be able to achieve her dream without the presence of her biggest supporter?

Life in hilly northern India is not easy. Every day, Faiza has to scale the mountains to reach her school or to fetch water from the stream. Faiza doesn't have many friends or relatives who believe in her, but her dream of being a world champion boxer and the support of her only parent, her dad, and her grandma keeps her going.

When her dad's travel is delayed due to a landslide, she has to enter the boxing tournament without her coach and support system. Will she give up or forge out on her own? Sometimes your biggest cheerleader is the voice inside of you. Fight, Faiza, fight!