Representation that Radiates Joy
Patina (Book #2 of Track) I Jason Reynolds
Couldn't load pickup availability
A newbie to the track team, Patina must learn to rely on her teammates as she tries to outrun her personal demons in this New York Times bestselling follow-up to the National Book Award finalist Ghost by New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds.
Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team—a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves.
Patina, or Patty, runs like a flash. She runs for many reasons—to escape the taunts from the kids at the fancy-schmancy new school she’s been sent to ever since she and her little sister had to stop living with their mom. She runs from the reason WHY she’s not able to live with her “real” mom anymore: her mom has The Sugar, and Patty is terrified that the disease that took her mom’s legs will one day take her away forever. And so Patty’s also running for her mom, who can’t. But can you ever really run away from any of this?
As the stress builds, it’s building up a pretty bad attitude as well. Coach won’t tolerate bad attitude. No day, no way. And now he wants Patty to run relay…where you have to depend on other people? How’s she going to do THAT?
Builds Confidence and Self-Love with Every Page
Builds Confidence and Self-Love with Every Page
We don’t just include diverse books — we center them. Every story we carry celebrates BIPOC voices and puts underrepresented protagonists front and center, ensuring every child can say, “That’s me.”
Authored by a BIPOC Creator — Real Representation, not Tokenism
Authored by a BIPOC Creator — Real Representation, not Tokenism
We intentionally seek out BIPOC and indie creators whose stories deserve to shine — building shelves you won’t find anywhere else.
Vetted by Educators and Families for Quality and Age-Fit
Vetted by Educators and Families for Quality and Age-Fit
Find the perfect book tailored to your child’s age, interests, and identity, making storytime meaningful and engaging.
Every child deserves to see themselves in the books they read.
You know that feeling when your kid sees themselves in a book and suddenly walks a little taller? That’s what we’re here for. Our curated collection is handpicked for one purpose: to help every child feel seen, celebrated, and inspired to dream big—no more endless scrolling or settling for stories that fall short. Here, every book is chosen to nurture confidence, empathy, and cultural pride.
Meet the Founder
Hi, children’s book lover! I’m Kanika.
As a classroom teacher, I’d spent countless afternoons searching for stories where my students could see themselves and came up empty-handed. I was tired of books that treated diversity like a checkbox, or worse, turned childhood joy into trauma. So, I did what teachers do best — I built what was missing.
My best friend and I began curating, partnering with independent authors and BIPOC creators to source high-quality stories that celebrated identity and belonging. We turned our living rooms into libraries and our mission into movement.
In 2019, Stories of a Colorful World launched with a simple promise: no more token shelves, no more exhausting searches — just stories that reflect every child’s worth.
Today, our collection spans 300+ titles by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color authors — books that build empathy, pride, and confidence one story at a time.
-
Curated for Every Stage
Our bookshop replaces overwhelm with ease: intentional, pre-vetted, and organized by what actually matters who your kids are becoming.
-
Building Empathy & Cultural Pride
Each book is selected to stretch empathy, self-awareness, and cultural pride at every age and stage.
-
Stories They’ll Return To
Our books are revisited again and again, with age-appropriate themes that build emotional intelligence, identity, and curiosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your books good gifts?
Yes! We offer curated bundles by age and theme — perfect for birthdays, holidays, and classrooms.
Can educators order in bulk?
Absolutely. We support schools, libraries, and community programs — contact us for custom quotes.
Do you offer digital books?
Not yet, but we’re exploring options for classrooms soon!
Because when children see themselves in stories, they don’t just read — they rise.