African American Children's Literature

While it is valuable for children to be exposed to other cultures, it is also important that see themselves in what they are reading across genres. This list from March 2014's edition of young children provides a list of African American children's books across genres. I have found that kids especially like Nikki and Deja. How do you make sure that kids see themselves in the books they read, and that they are also exposed to other cultures while reading?