Our Voices Online Resources

Black American

When Jaylen wakes up to the smell of neck bone stew, he knows it will be a good day. As the stew cooks, Jaylen checks on all of his family members and helps with chores. Finally, it’s time to eat!

Written by: LaTisha Smith

Illustrated by: Rachel Moss

Indian American

 

Ashni loves her new dress. She wants to wear it to her cousin’s wedding. But Mom wants her to wear her new Indian outfit. Which will Ashni choose?

Written by: Pari Deshpande Cohen

Illustrated by: Noopur Thakur

Colombian American

Clara wants to enter a writing contest. But she doesn’t know what to write about. Maybe there’s a good idea just outside her window!

Written by: Connie Pertuz-Meza

Illustrated by: Ivan Barrera

Cheyenne and Hopi

Cinna visits her friend Boo-Boo on Hopi and Tewa land. There, Cinna learns about Hopi and Tewa traditions, including the importance of taking care of the home.

Written by: Cinnamon Kills First & BriAnn Laban

Illustrated by: Jay Charles Shelton, Jr.

Chinese American

Ming invites his friend Lupita to his family’s Mid-Autumn Festival feast. After listening to the legend behind the harvest moon, they celebrate together.

Written by: Grant Chang

Illustrated by: Sian James.

Cherokee

A Cherokee grandmother teaches her granddaughter how to make kanuchi, a traditional hickory nut soup. Find out what else her granddaughter learns about their family traditions. 

Written by: Elise McMullen-Ciotti

Illustrated by: Morgan Thompson

Black American

At summer camp, Cameron learned a lot about Black history. He is excited to teach his family and friends about the contributions of Black people in the United States. What happens when his teacher comes to his class?

Written by: Tamara Shiloh

Illustrated by: Rachel Moss

Iranian American

Leila and her sister Goli are excited to play at the pool. But the fun stops when they both want the same toy. Will they learn how to share?

Written by: Sara Goudarzi

Illustrated by: Atieh Sohrabi

Honduran and Black American

Emma has to make a family tree for class, and she is confused. She looks very different from other members of her family. A talk with her great-grandmother might help her see herself in a new way.

Written by: Keisha Bush

Illustrated by: Lydia Mba

Puerto Rican

Every weekend, Maria and her cousins go to their grandparents’ farm. There are lots of chores to be done. But Maria doesn’t want to work—she wants to have fun!

Written by: Estephanie Mosquera-Ortiz

Illustrated by: Monica Paola Rodriguez

Waccamaw Siouan

Gina loves her home in the city. She’s worried she won’t fit in when she goes to visit her Waccamaw Siouan family in North Carolina. But celebrating with her Native American community may help her understand what it really means to be “home.”

Written by: Brittany Schulman

Illustrated by: Joshua Webb

Libyan American

When Talib’s classmate asks about the Arabic writing on his lunchbox, Talib feels embarrassed. But a walk with his grandfather opens his eyes to the Arabic all around his neighborhood and gives him an idea.

Written by: Koloud Fawzi Omar Abdul Aziz Tarapolsi

Illustrated by: Turkia Bensaoud

Korean American

Annisa knows garbage can end up in the ocean. So when she sees trash around her neighborhood, she wants to do something about it. Can one girl make a difference in her community?

Written by: Elaine H. Kim

Illustrated by: Eunji Jung

Native Hawaiian

Nāmaka wants to get the perfect gift for his sister’s graduation. He thinks and thinks as he helps everyone prepare for her party. Will he find the right gift?

Written by: Kekoa and Pelehonuamea Harman

Illustrated by: Kat Uno

Mexican American

The Fiesta parade is in a few hours. But there are lots of flowers to be delivered before it starts. Will Marco be able to finish all of his deliveries in time?

Written by: Jaime Lucero

Illustrated by: Beca Koblick de León

Greek and Haitian American

Nia and her family get ready to celebrate an important holiday. As they prepare, Nia discovers many new things about her community and friendship.

Written by: Ourania Papacharalambous

Illustrated by: Christos Skaltaas

Passamaquoddy

Bombom lives in a small village in Maine. He meets a boy from another country at the local art fair. Their lives are very different. What will they learn about each other?

Written by: Chris Newell

Illustrated by: KC Oster

Dominican American

Indira’s brother doesn’t like their neighborhood. Indira loves everything about it. She loves the people, the food, and the culture. Can she change her brother’s mind?

Written by: Lissarette Nisnevich

Illustrated by: Richy Sánchez Ayala

Black American

It’s time for the community back-to-school celebration, and Ayanna has an important job. Can she create a welcome poster and game she can be proud of?

Written by: Celeste M. Bryant

Illustrated by: Keenon Ferrell

Filipino American

A new Filipino restaurant is opening in the neighborhood, and Joy is excited. She and her mom help the owners get ready for the grand opening. Along the way, Joy learns how a community can be like family. 

Written by: Katrina Ardiente Alonso

Illustrated by: Marianne J. Palita

Diné/Navajo

Nizhoni has to bring something to school that shows who she is. But she doesn’t want her classmates to see how different she is from them. Finding the perfect thing won’t be easy!

Written by: Daniel W. Vanderver

Illustrated by: Lynne Hardy

Pakistani American

Amani is about to start school in the United States. She and her family moved here from Pakistan. Amani misses her old home. She wonders whether she will ever feel the magic she used to feel there.

Written by: Shaila Abdullah

Illustrated by: Sara Aziz

Cuban American

Andrés is worried.He has no idea what to do for his Hispanic Heritage Month project. He wants to focus on his Cuban heritage. But where should he start?

Written by: Andy Señor Jr.

Illustrated by: Diana Castillo

Black American

When Mr. Haggen asks his students what they want to be when they grow up, Antoine doesn’t know how to answer. He doesn’t think he can make his dream happen anymore. What will it take for Antoine to believe in himself?

Written by: Alonzo Westbrook

Illustrated by: Felicia Whaley

Black and Norwegian American

Belle is lonely. She tries to make friends, but no one ever seems to smile back. One day on her way to school, she finds a dog. Could he be the answer to her problem?

Written by: Sarah Warren

Illustrated by: Katie Crumpton

Dominican American

Josue likes to be LOUD! He likes bright colors. He loves music. But Josue’s classmates are very different from him. Does he need to change to fit in?

Written by: Scarlen Martinez

Illustrated by: Jayri Gómez

Egyptian American

Friday is Muhammad’s favorite day! He gets to see his best friend and spend time at the Islamic center. But one Friday, everything seems to go wrong. Or does it?

Written by: Aya Khalil

Illustrated by: Dalia Awad

Chinese American

Ying’s best friend Rosa is coming over, and Ying is excited. But when Ying’s grandmother prepares pot stickers, a traditional Chinese food, Ying gets nervous. What if her friend doesn’t like her family’s food?

Written by: Selina Li Bi

Illustrated by: Zihua Yang

Argentinian American

It’s Sofía’s first day of school in the United States. She’s nervous, especially about making new friends. Abuela, her grandmother, gives Sofía great advice. Will it work?

Written by: Samantha Unger

Illustrated by: Lucy Makuc

Taiwanese American

At her regular school, Sunny speaks and learns English. But on Saturdays, Sunny goes to Chinese school. There, she’s studying the Chinese alphabet. Learning two languages is sometimes confusing!

Written by: Catherine Chen

Illustrated by: Eunice Chen