The outburst belies the messages in “You’re Different Than Me,” a book that Bilotti independently published in September among Amazon’s Children’s Books on Racism & Prejudice.

Books have a way of sparking empathy, drawing readers into the lives of characters who may be different from themselves -- or different from other characters in the story. Kids and teens walk in ...

From picture books to graphic novels, fantasy to family fun, these must-read books have the power to hook kids of any gender. Some are cultural touchstones that belong in every kid's library. Others ...