9 top diverse kids’ books that have TV shows

1. Ada Twist, Scientist

Age rating: U (6+ years)

Creators: Andrea Beaty (book author); Chris Nee for Netflix

Duration: 29min per episode

No. of seasons: 4

Release date: premiered September 2021

Why we love it: The brilliantly curious Black girl protagonist and fun science focus make this upbeat TV adaptation an empowering watch for older children. It encourages scientific questioning, thinking and exploration. The screen version won an award for Outstanding Preschool Animated Series in 2022.

Streaming channels: Netflix

Watch here.

2. El Deafo

Age rating: PG (8+ years)

Creators: Cece Bell (book author); Apple TV

Duration: approx 30min per episode

No. of episodes: 3

Release date: premiered January 2022

Why we love it: Although El Deafo is not listed on the IBC website, we just had to include it as a great Own Voice story for older children. The original, Newbury award-winning, semi-autobiographical graphic novel features a little deaf child, Cece, and is brought to life on screen with honesty. The three-part animated mini-series is a heartfelt portrayal of deafness and self-confidence, with themes of accessibility, identity, family and friendship. A must-see!

Streaming channels: Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video

Watch here.

3. Hair Love

Age rating: 3–7

Creators: Matthew A. Cherry (book author and screenwriter/director for Sony Pictures)

Duration: 6min 48sec

Release date: premiered in August 2019

Why we love it: Although the picture book came out first, this animated short was already in production before the book’s release. The Oscar-winning film celebrates Black family life, confidence and creativity. The picture book is not listed on our website, but the film has had 115 million views on YouTube, so it was an important one to include. It has been such a success that it now has a spin-off series called Young Love, which premiered in September 2023 on Max.

Streaming channels: YouTube

Watch here.

4. Julian Is a Mermaid

Age rating: TBC

Creators: Jessica Love (book author-illustrator); Cartoon Saloon, Aircraft Pictures, Melusine Productions, Sun Creature and Wychwood Media

Duration: TBC, feature-film length expected

Release date: May 2026

Why we love it: Although this animated feature film is still in production, the picture book is an IBC Top Pick, so we couldn’t resist highlighting it. The award-winning book tells a tender, visually expressive story about a young Latinx boy and his abuela, exploring identity, self-expression and belonging. It’s sure to translate beautifully into animated form, resonating with an established audience of adults and children alike.

Retitled as Juilián and set in NYC, the film previewed at Marché du Film in Cannes in May 2025 as part of the Animation Showcase.

Streaming channels: Watch this space!

Updates here.

5. JoJo & Gran Gran

Age rating: U (3+ years)

Creators: Laura Henry-Allain (original book author); various screenwriters for BBC Studios Kids & Family

Duration: 11min per episode

No. of episodes: 130

Release date: premiered in March 2020

Why we love it: This groundbreaking animated series, inspired by Henry-Allain’s picture book All in a Week (not pictured above), centres a Black Caribbean child and her grandma, who enjoy everyday adventures at home and in the local community. The first-ever British children’s animation to star Black-British main characters, this warm-hearted, gently educational series is perfect for preschoolers. UK publisher Hachette Group has produced a follow-up picture book series, and one title (see above) is listed on our website.

Streaming channels: CBeebies (UK), YouTube

Watch here.

6. Nikhil and Jay

Age rating: U (3+ years)

Creators: Chitra Soundar (book author); various screenwriters for BBC Studios Kids & Family

Duration: 11min per episode

No. of episodes: 52

Release date: premiered October 2024

Why we love it: This authentic-feeling uplifting animation series features endearing mixed-heritage white and South-Asian siblings Nikhil and Jay, who bring fresh adventures to stories about daily routines, special days out and cultural traditions. Throughout the series, viewers also get to meet the extended family. The TV show was inspired by the chapter book series for newly confident readers.

Streaming channels: CBeebies (UK), YouTube

Watch here.

8. The Snowy Day

Age rating: 7+

Creators: Ezra Jack Keats (book author); Amazon Studios

Duration: 39min (one-off special)

Release date: premiered in November 2016

Why we love it: A much-loved classic that in the 1960s broke new ground for Black protagonists in picture books, The Snowy Day has inspired multiple screen adaptations, including this fairly recent, acclaimed animated TV special. In this festive adaptation, Peter goes on a magical, snowy walk to his Nana’s house, to bring home the Christmas Eve dinner.

Streaming channels: Amazon Prime, Disney Channel, Apple TV

Watch here.

The following adaptations are still in the pipeline, but we had to include them:

8. Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun

Age rating: TBC

Creators: Tọlá Okogwu (book author); Olu Shokunbi for Netflix/Westbrook Studios

Duration: TBC, feature-film length expected

Release date: TBC

Why we love it: With a British-Nigerian heroine who discovers superpowers tied to her hair, this action-packed science fiction story’s upcoming adaptation will bring vibrant Black representation and blockbuster energy to the screen. Although there is no sign of a release date yet, the movie is hotly anticipated, particularly as the book was a hit and Will Smith is named as co-producer. It should definitely inspire older children to read the source middle-grade novel.

Streaming channels: Netflix likely — watch this space!

Updates here

9. Planet Omar

Age rating: TBC

Creators: Zenab Mian (book author); Lime Pictures

Duration: TV series expected

Release date: TBC

Why we love it: There’s not much information available about this potential Planet Omar series, but what we do know is Lime Pictures signed an option deal with book publisher Hachette Children’s Group way back in 2021. Working closely with author Zanib Mian and producer, founder of UK Muslim Film and co-chair of the BFI’s Screen Advisory Group Sajid Varda, Lime Pictures is due to adapt the award-winning children’s books for TV.

If this comes off, it will be very exciting indeed as Lime Pictures hopes to 'faithfully capture Omar’s spirit on screen’. We wait in urgent anticipation for updates, as this series would be groundbreaking for Muslim representation in children’s programming.

Streaming channels: Watch this space!

Updates here.

And finally...

If watching these TV shows and films inspires your child to read physical books, there are full reviews for most of the above titles on our website.

Ready to get started? Explore the IBC website to find inspiring inclusive books to encourage your child’s love of reading.

Check out our expertly reviewed inclusive books for babies right through to children aged 9 by clicking ‘Search books’ and ‘Search booklists’. All titles are good-quality reads, richly diverse in format, topics and representation. 

Fabia Turner is Head of Content at IBC and the Founder of the Jericho Prize for Children’s Writing. She is also a former primary teacher and educational book editor with a love of children’s literature.