During this unprecedented time when DEI is under attack and books are being banned at alarming rates, author, Tom Tracy, mobilized 100 kids’ book authors form across the globe to produce a resource for parents, teachers, and librarians showcasing more than 150 kids’ books containing diverse characters and cultures, and themes related to acceptance, tolerance and difference.
PHILADELPHIA – In response to the growing wave of book bans and the systematic dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the country, award-winning children’s book author Tom Tracy, founder of Tom Tracy Books, has released the Catalog of Diverse Kids Books—a curated collection of more than 150 diverse and inclusive titles by 100 indie authors from around the world.
Thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign and the generous contributions of organizational sponsors, such as Books and Books Key West – the independent bookstore founded by the acclaimed children’s book author Judy Blume, the catalog has already reached hundreds of families, educators, librarians, and counselors free of charge. The catalog serves as both a resource and a statement: diverse voices will not be silenced.
Tom Tracy’s own books are known for advancing the representation of diverse families, especially those within the LGBTQIA+ community. His work has helped redefine what children’s literature can look like—centering love, identity, and belonging in ways that resonate deeply with readers of all backgrounds. As a self-published author, Tracy has consistently sought creative ways to donate his books to schools and other community organizations, making this catalog a natural extension of his mission.
“This catalog is a direct response to the currently erasure we’re witnessing,” said Tracy. “When books that reflect real families and real identities are being pulled from shelves, we have to push back—with visibility, with access, and with stories that affirm every child’s right to be seen.”
The Catalog of Diverse Kids Books includes titles that reflect a wide range of experiences—racial, cultural, gender, neurodiverse, mental health, physical disabilities, learning differences, and “non-traditional” family structures—and is designed to help educators and caregivers discover books that foster empathy, inclusion, and joy.
The catalog was released on September 15 and is available for purchase at all major online booksellers (such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble). Tracy has pledged the proceeds generated from individual sales of the catalog to be used to support the ongoing free distribution of the catalog to schools, non-profits, and parents who may be unable to afford it.
For media inquiries or to learn more about Tom Tracy Books and the Catalog of Diverse Kids Books, please visit https://www.tomtracybooks.com
