Haitian American students need our support. This unique book collection provides positive, everyday stories that bring Haitian culture and experiences to life for all children.
Our Community: Haitian Heritage | Grades K–3
The First and Only Haitian-Themed Book Collection for Kids
Celebrate Haitian voices with the first book collection of its kind. Bring culturally affirming Haitian stories into your classrooms with books in English and English/Haitian Creole.
For Grades K–3.
Our Community: Haitian Heritage | Grades K–3
The First and Only Haitian-Themed Book Collection for Kids
Celebrate Haitian voices with the first book collection of its kind. Bring culturally affirming Haitian stories into your classrooms with books in English and English/Haitian Creole. For Grades K–3.
The Stories Our Students Need Right Now
Created in Collaboration with Jamie Hector
We partnered with Jamie Hector, Haitian American actor and storyteller, to help us select some of the best children’s books on Haitian culture and history.
“As a Haitian American, I found it difficult to find books to share with my children where they could see themselves in the pages. The books in this set celebrate Haitian/Haitian American culture and are fun to read. I can’t wait for you to experience them too.”
Featuring Haitian Voices and Creators
Books are carefully selected to be culturally responsive and engage all students in Haitian/Haitian American stories, experiences, and cultures.
Transadapted
Not just translated, but culturally adapted to be more relevant to Haitian American students
Own Voices
Many titles written and illustrated by creators of Haitian descent
Authentic
True-to-life characters, everyday situations, and genuine cultural experiences
Bilingual
A mixture of bilingual Haitian Creole/English and English language texts
Engaging
Titles that all students, regardless of background, will want to read again and again
See the Research
Research validates the importance of reading diverse texts—in and out of the classroom.
Home Libraries Topic Paper
This review of research details the positive impact of home libraries on student achievement.
Meet the Mentor | Jamie Hector
Jamie Hector is a Brooklyn-born actor best known for his roles in film and television (The Wire, Bosch). However, one of Jamie’s favorite roles is the founder of Moving Mountains Inc., a nonprofit that offers youth in low-income neighborhoods the opportunity to study the arts. Jamie is the author of several Scholastic bilingual picture books which have been transadapted into Haitian Creole and included in the Our Community collection.
Created in Partnership with NABU
NABU is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing every child with equitable access to literacy. To achieve its mission, NABU trains storytellers and artists in the creation of original multilingual stories for their own community and for children globally.
Through this process, NABU worked with the Haitian community to create original children’s books in Haitian Creole. All NABU storytellers and artists receive compensation for their works.
Ten of the 32 books in the Haitian Heritage collection originated from NABU’s work in Haiti.
Q&A with Jamie Hector
Read an interview with Jamie Hector on what this collection means to him. Conducted by the Scholastic Kids Press Corps, you can even share it with students who want to learn more.
"I want kids to learn about the amazing people in Haiti."
—Jamie Hector
Explore the Collection
See a full title list, flip through a sample book, and explore our teacher resource.
Classroom Books
16 books (8 titles, 2 copies each) include English language and bilingual Haitian Creole and English texts.
Teacher Resource
This resource includes a welcome letter from mentor Jamie Hector, an annotated book list, writing activities for each title, and Talk About It discussion prompts.
Take-Home Book Packs
Build family and community engagement with grade-specific take-home book packs available separately.
Family Letter
Each take-home pack includes a bilingual Family Letter with tips for reading together, annotations, and “Try This!” activities to support reading at home.
Discover Other Diverse Voices
Whenever and wherever students are reading, they deserve access to books that reflect their lives and the diversity of our would. Pair these collections with Our Community Haitian Heritage for more voices and more choices—in class and at home.
Grab and Go Take-Home Book Packs: Culturally Responsive Literacy
Help families build diverse home libraries with take-home books that reflect a wide range of traditions, cultures, and experiences.
Culturally Responsive Collections: Immigrant and Refugee Experiences
Welcome newcomers into your classrooms with stories about immigrants and refugees who defy incredible odds to make a better life for their families.
