Why am I passionate about this?

The library has always been my favorite place to visit. As a child, I would travel the world through books. I learned about different cultures and studied other languages. Through these experiences, I gained a deep appreciation for cultures around the world. I also learned an important lesson that inclusion is the thread that weaves together a rich multicultural tapestry. Fast forward to today, I share these lessons through my work as an author, leadership scholar, and law professor. My booklist reflects a celebration of diverse cultures, introduces learning tools for becoming an inclusive leader, and provides an invitation to join me in taking intentional action for justice and equity.  


I wrote

Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire

By Artika Tyner, Jacklyn Milton, Jeremy Norton (illustrator) , Janos Orban (illustrator)

Book cover of Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire

What is my book about?

“Words are powerful,” Grandma told Justice. “They can be used in powerful ways to do good or to do harm.…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Smallest Spot of a Dot: The Little Ways We're Different, The Big Ways We're the Same

Artika Tyner Why did I love this book?

This book teaches the importance of community-building. It celebrates diversity and inclusion as both a strength and asset.

It dispels the myth of race by focusing on our shared humanity and common destiny. It gets to the basics that our DNA is 99.999% similar hence building common ground across differences.

It also encourages each of us to discover the values of love and kindness.

I shared this book with my students as a tool to explore their cultural heritage and build new connections.

By Linsey Davis, Michael Tyler, Lucy Fleming (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Smallest Spot of a Dot as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Now a New York Times bestseller! Using child-friendly language, this playful picture book explains how genetics make each person unique and celebrates how we are more alike than different and are all part of the human race. In The Smallest Spot of a Dot: The Little Ways We’re Different, The Big Ways We’re the Same, Linsey Davis, bestselling children’s author, Emmy-winning correspondent, and host for ABC News, together with co-author Michael Tyler, encourages children to find their own unique dot with sweet, rhyming prose.

”Only .1% of our genes make us uniquely who we are. We are 99.9% identical, alike,…


Book cover of Black Boy, Black Boy

Artika Tyner Why did I love this book?

It introduced children from all backgrounds to the possibility of what they can become.

It challenges the limitation of stereotypes and biases. It is a reminder that you can be not just who you want to be, but also fulfill the destiny of who you ought to be. 

By Crown Shepherd, Mychal Baston (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Black Boy, Black Boy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, 9, and 10.

What is this book about?

Black Boy, Black Boy, what do you see?

I see a bright future ahead of me!

A melodic mantra with a powerful message: Black boys can be a doctor, a judge, the president . . . anything they want to be!

Each page depicts a boy looking into the future, seeing his grown-up self, and admiring the greatness reflected back at him. This book is created to teach Black boys there are no barriers--if you can dream it, you can be it!

This book is for Black boys so they see themselves as the heroes of the story.

This book…


Book cover of I Know I Can!

Artika Tyner Why did I love this book?

This book celebrates diversity through the power of positive affirmations.

This is a reminder that our words have power, something I love to embrace and encourage. I see this book as a reminder to all that we can speak encouraging and motivating words in order to unveil the talents of our children.

I also appreciate the way it includes not only a joyful story but fantastic illustrations and the integration of different languages.

By Veronica N. Chapman, Daveia Odoi (illustrator), Paige Davis , Tapiwa Washington , Nina Katherine Elon Payne , Jashonai Kemper-Payne , Jonathan Scott Chapman (editor)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked I Know I Can! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Knowing you can do something makes you unstoppable! Children must grow up believing in themselves and in their potential for greatness. ”I Know I Can!” is a beautiful children’s book that strengthens the self-esteem of everyone who reads it!

”I Know I Can!” is the story of a courageous little girl named Faith who dreams big and has the courage to take action! While giving a speech at her high school graduation, Faith, the class valedictorian, shares her childhood dreams, and the lessons that served as the foundation for her courage.

”I Know I Can!” is also available in Spanish…


Book cover of Tika Speaks

Artika Tyner Why did I love this book?

Diversity takes many forms, including diversity of learning styles.

I appreciate the topics tackled in this book. It’s the first in a series that I share with others often as it focuses on things not often seen in children’s books.

I love the illustration style and the glossary provided about terms that many children won’t inherently understand. I gladly welcome the ways this book helped me gain a deeper understanding of individuality while discovering connectivity. 

By Elise Washington, Tyrus Goshay (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Tika Speaks as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of It Starts With Me!

Artika Tyner Why did I love this book?

I love the journey this book brings readers on.

It raises questions of what can we build together, how do we live out our values, and what does a sense of belonging look like? As we each go on this journey of exploration, we can redefine our present and build a better future.

In addition, I appreciate that this book is also offered in Spanish, something that can be hard to find for young readers. 

Explore my book 😀

Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire

By Artika Tyner, Jacklyn Milton, Jeremy Norton (illustrator) , Janos Orban (illustrator)

Book cover of Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire

What is my book about?

“Words are powerful,” Grandma told Justice. “They can be used in powerful ways to do good or to do harm. That’s why it’s important to always be careful with your words.” Justice has grown up witnessing the many ways her grandma serves the community. She wants to make a difference in the world, too, but how? Isn’t she too young?

Through conversations with her grandma and their shared love of books, Justice learns about important women and men throughout history who changed the world: Ella Baker, Shirley Chisholm, Charles Hamilton Houston, and Dr. Wangari Maathai. Justice learns how each leader was a champion for advancing justice and improving the world, and she dreams of becoming a change maker, too—“Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire”!

You might also like...

Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

By Lyle Greenfield,

Book cover of Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

Lyle Greenfield Author Of Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been fascinated by group dynamics, large and small. Why things functioned well, why they didn’t. It’s possible my ability to empathize and use humor as a consensus-builder is the reason I was elected president of a homeowners association, a music production association, and even an agricultural group. Books were not particularly involved in this fascination! But in recent years, experiencing the breakdown of civility and trust in our political and cultural discourse, I’ve taken a more analytical view of the dynamics. These books, in their very different ways, have taught me lessons about life, understanding those with different beliefs, and finding ways to connect and move forward. 

Lyle's book list on restoring your belief in human possibility

What is my book about?

We’ve all experienced the overwhelming level of political and social divisiveness in our country. This invisible “virus” of negativity is, in part, the result of the name-calling and heated rhetoric that has become commonplace among commentators and elected leaders alike. 

My book provides a clear perspective on the historical and modern-day causes of our nation's divisive state. It then proposes easy-to-understand solutions—an action plan for our elected leaders and citizens as well. Rather than a scholarly treatment of a complex topic, the book challenges us to take the obvious steps required of those living in a free democracy. And it…

Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

By Lyle Greenfield,

What is this book about?

Lyle Greenfield's "Uniting the States of America―A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation" is a work of nonfiction and opinion. Incorporating the lessons of history and the ideas and wisdom of many, it is intended as both an educational resource and a call-to-action for citizens concerned about the politically and culturally divided state of our Union. A situation that has raised alarm for the very future of our democracy.

First, the book clearly identifies the causes of what has become a national crisis of belief in and love for our country. How the divisiveness and hostility rampant in our political…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in multiculturalism, mantras, and genes?

Multiculturalism 53 books
Mantras 20 books
Genes 27 books