Resources for Young Children
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2019 and 2020 titles are noted in PURPLE. They are not yet as widely reviewed.
Topics on this page - scroll down.
RACIAL JUSTICE
Chung, Arree. Mixed, A Colorful Story. Holt, 2018. “The reds, the yellows, and the blues all think they're the best in this vibrant, thought-provoking picture book from Arree Chung, with a message of acceptance and unity.” Devenney, Jenny. Race Cars: A children's book about white privilege. Jenny Devenny, 2016. “Race Cars is a children's book about white privilege. It was created to serve as a springboard for parents and educators to facilitate tough conversations with their kids about race, privilege and oppression. Race Cars tells the story of 2 best friends, a white car and a black car, that have different experiences and face different rules while entering the same race.” Higginbotham, Anastasia. Not My Idea, A Book about Whiteness. Dottir, 2018. “[A] picture book about racism and racial justice, inviting white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it's real, and cultivate justice.” Kendi, Ibram X. Anti-Racist Baby. Penguin, 2020. “...9x9 picture book that empowers parents and children to uproot racism in our society and in ourselves.” Lester, Julius. Let’s Talk About Race. Harper, 2008. “[I]ntroduces the concept of race as only one component in an individual's or nation's "story." Memory, Jelani. A Kid’s Book About Racism. A Kids Book About, 2020. “A clear explanation of what racism is and how to know when you see it. … This is one conversation that’s never too early to start, and this book was written to be an introduction for kids on the topic.” Reynolds, Peter. Say Something!. Orchard, 2019. “The world needs your voice. If you have a brilliant idea... say something! If you see an injustice... say something!” ACTIVISM
Cronin, Doreen. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. Simon & Schuster, 2000. “Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears: Click, clack, moo. …[And he] has a labor problem when his cows go on strike.” Krishnaswami, Uma. Book Uncle and Me. Groundwood, 2016. “Every day, nine-year-old Yasmin borrows a book from Book Uncle, a retired teacher who has set up a free lending library next to her apartment building. But when the mayor tries to shut down the rickety bookstand, Yasmin has to take her nose out of her book and do something….And so the children get to work, launching a campaign to make sure the voices of the community are heard.” Nagara, Innosanto. A is for Activist. Triangle Square, 2013. “Innosanto Nagara initially wrote, illustrated and self-published this board book for his own children out of a desire to see a progressive book about the alphabet for younger children.” EXPLAINING TRAUMA
Celano, Marianne et al. Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice. Magination Press, 2018. The story follows two families — one White, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children's questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. COMMUNITY
Dismondy, Maria. Chocolate Milk, Por Favor: Celebrating Diversity with Empathy. Cardinal Rule Press, 2015. “It's Gabe's first day of school in America, and he doesn't speak English. This story shows how a simple act of kindness is worth more than a thousand words. Kindness really is a universal language.” Fox, Mem. Whoever You Are. HMH, 2006. “Every day all over the world, children are laughing and crying, playing and learning, eating and sleeping. They may not look the same. They may not speak the same language. Their lives may be quite different. But inside, they are all alike.” Hutchins, Pat. The Doorbell Rang. Greenwillow, 1986. “Each ring of the doorbell brings more [a multicultural mix of] friends to share the delicious cookies Ma has made in this beloved classic.” Kates, Bobbi. We’re Different We’re the Same. Random, 1992. “Who better than Sesame Street to teach us that we may all look different on the outside—but it's important to remember that deep down, we are all very much alike.” Penfold, Alexandra. All Are Welcome. Orchard, 2019. “Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other's traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be. Sorrel, Traci. We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga. Charlesbridge, 2018. “The Cherokee community is grateful for blessings and challenges that each season brings. This is modern Native American life as told by an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation.” Sibert Honor. JUST A STORY
Keats, Ezra Jack. The Snowy Day. Viking, 1962. “[R]eveals a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever.” Noteworthy that the boy happens to be of color. Caldecott Medal. Seuss, Dr. The Sneetches. Random, 1961. “The story of the Star-bellied Sneetches and their star-less friends is a perfect guide for kids growing up in today’s multicultural world.“ Woodson, Jacqueline. The Day You Begin. Nancy Paulsen, 2018. “There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. … [W]e all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway.” Woodson, Jacqueline. The Other Side. Penguin Young Readers, 2001. “Clover's mom says it isn't safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups' rules by sitting on top of the fence together.” BOOKLISTS for the Adults who Serve Children
Some of these are updated occasionally. All were used for reference in this project. “13 Children’s Books About Race and Diversity.” PBS “for Parents,” 4 June 2020. “Children's books are one of the most effective tools to engage with young children on important issues. To encourage conversations about race and diversity with your children, check out this list of books to read together as a family.” Autumn Allen, Krista Aronson and the Diverse BookFinder Team, and Megan Dowd Lambert. “20 Picture Books for 2020.” www.EmbraceRace.org . The Diverse Book Finder focuses on multicultural picture books. Charnaie. HereWeeRead.com. Website and podcast. Under the Wee Read tab, find Board Books, Picture Books, Diverse Books, and Children’s Magazines. Also consider the Podcast. HereWeeRead on Instagram. Identified as a Diversity and Inclusion Expert, the feed offers a stream of book ideas for you=ng readers. Locker, Melissa. “Teacher’s Reading List of Antiracist Books for Kids Goes Viral.” Time.com, 5 June 2020. “...when Brittany Smith, a pre-kindergarten teacher who teaches in the Atlantic City School District in New Jersey, shared a list on Twitter of her recommended reading materials to teach children about race and racism, it went viral.” Includes tweet format and book covers. Smith’s blog is Wandering Britt. Mlynek, Alex. “30 books to help you talk to your kids about racism.” Today’s Parent, 1 June 2020. “Talking to your kids about racism can be tough. Here are some books to help get them thinking about it.” Oakland Public Library. Talking to Kids About Racism and Justice: A List for Parents, Caregivers & Educators. Van Ness, Lorien. “60+ Resources for Talking to Kids About Racism.” Bounceback Parenting, 30 July ?year. The list offers “[b]ooks, activities and media to help you talk with kids about race and racism” from birth through elementary school. Ray, Ashia. “Captivating Kids Stories To Recognize Privilege.” Books for Littles: Igniting the Kind & Brilliant Leaders of Tomorrow. Spiegler, Jinnie. “Teaching Young Children About Bias, Diversity, and Social Justice.” Edutopia, 16 June 2016. “Use young children’s understanding of differences to teach social justice through age-appropriate literature, news stories, anti-bias lessons, familiar examples, and problem solving.” Wenjen, Mia with Bethany Edwards. “Children’s Books about White Privilege.” Pragmatic Mom blog, 13 May 2019. |
A mural in Houston, July 2020. Photo by Dorcas Hand.
VIDEOS
Freedom Reads: Anti-Bias Book Talk Series. SocialJustice.org. “Freedom Reads: Anti-Bias Book Talk is part anti-bias training, part book review. Each short segment explores anti-bias books for home and the classroom with the goal to strengthen parents’ and teachers’ anti-bias, anti-racism lens and their ability to critically analyze children’s media.” StorylineOnline. “The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Daytime Emmy®-nominated and award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online®, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, Kristen Bell, Rita Moreno, Viola Davis, Jaime Camil, Kevin Costner, Lily Tomlin, Sarah Silverman, Betty White, Wanda Sykes and dozens more.” [Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists] Young Children; Elementary SELF-IMAGE
Byers, Grace. I Am Enough. HarperCollins, 2018. “Shares a story of loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another.” Dismondy, Maria. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are. Cardinal Rule Press, 2008. “How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy's defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves.” Katz, Karen. The Colors of Us. Holt, 2012. “Seven-year-old Lena and her mother observe the variations in the color of their friends' skin, viewed in terms of foods and things found in nature.” Manushkin, Fran and Lauren Tobia. Happy in Our Skin. Candlewick, 2015. “[A] joyful exploration of the new skin of babyhood. ...all children can see themselves, and open their eyes to the world around them, in this sweet, scrumptious celebration of skin in all its many, many, wonderful forms.”Nyong’o, Lupita. Sulwe. Simon & Schuster, 2019. “This parable helps Sulwe understand that all skin tones have value…” Peoples-Riley, Daria. I Got Next. Greenwillow, 2019. “[A] Black boy finds courage to join other children playing in an urban landscape. His shadow gets the ball rolling by bursting onto the scene, basketball in hand, enthusiastically announcing, “It’s game day!” However, the boy doesn’t show the same confidence—yet.” Pippins, Andrea. Who Will You Be? Random, 2020. “As parents and educators seek new and innovative ways to help children develop compassion, understanding, and the power of kindness, this selection will be a wonderful support for this endeavor. ...Pippins does an amazing job of connecting positive characteristics to the adults in the boy’s life and, by extension, to himself, and children will be able to follow suit within the context of their own lives.” Robinson, Christian. You Matter. Atheneum, 2020. “[A]ssures readers that, no matter what difficulties they may encounter or how a person might feel, everyone matters…” HAIR
Cabrera, Cozbi A. My Hair Is a Garden. Whitman, 2018. “After a day of being taunted by classmates about her unruly hair, Mackenzie can't take any more and she seeks guidance from her wise and comforting neighbor, Miss Tillie. Using the beautiful garden in the backyard as a metaphor, Miss Tillie shows Mackenzie that maintaining healthy hair is not a chore nor is it something to fear. Most importantly, Mackenzie learns that natural black hair is beautiful.” Cherry, Matthew A. Hair Love. Penguin, 2019. “[An] endearing take on stories pertaining to promoting natural hairstyles for African American children…” Redd, Nancy. Bedtime Bonnet. Random, 2020. “portrayal of a Black family’s nighttime routine. Narrated by a young girl, it begins, ‘In my family, when the sun goes down, our hair goes up!’“ Roe, Mechal Renee. Cool Cuts. Doubleday, 2020. “[O]ffers positive images of Black boys sporting different hairstyles that extend beyond afros and fade haircuts.” Senior, Olive. Boonoonoonous Hair. Orca/Tradewind, 2019. “[A] story of a Jamaican child learning to accept her hair. Jamilla’s mother goes to great lengths to help her daughter embrace her “electric, kinetic” hair, which Jamilla counters is a pain to tame.” FAMILY
Danticat, Edwidge. My Mommy Medicine. Roaring Brook, 2019. “When a child is sick or feeling sad, nothing helps more than “Mommy Medicine,” as described here by a young brown-skinned girl. … Because no other relatives are discussed, the book could be applicable to all kinds of families, including single parents. … Cozy and comforting, this is an effective antidote for childhood illness or anxiety.” Lyons, Kelly Starling. Sing a Song: How ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ Inspired Generations. Penguin, 2019. “Tracing the history of Black Americans since 1900 through five generations of one family, this creative book also connects events and cultural shifts with particular lines in the song, underscoring their relevance during certain times, ending with the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.” McKissack, Patricia. What Is Given from the Heart. Random, 2018. “...a heartfelt story demonstrating that joyful giving can have many rewards.” Mora, Oge. Saturday. Little Brown, 2019. “Saturdays are special. Ava’s mother works every other day, but on her only day off, mom and daughter do all sorts of fun things—go to story hour, get their hair done, lounge in the park—and this Saturday is extra special because they have tickets for a one-night-only puppet show.” Mora, Oge. Thank You, Omu! Little Brown, 2018. ‘Omu (Nigerian for queen, but here grandma) enjoys cooking thick red stews for her evening meal. … Of course Omu shares… Predictably, the pot is empty.” Palmer, Bedford F. Daddy Why Am I Brown?: A healthy conversation about skin color and family. Independently published, 2020. Say, Allen. Grandfather’s Journey. Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Caldecott Medal. “The story is based on Say's grandfather's voyage from Japan to the United States and back again.” VIDEO LISTS - for the Adults in Kids' Lives
Croteau, Jeanne. “21 Anti-Racism Videos To Share With Kids.” We Are Teachers, 9 June 2020. “These videos help to explain complex topics to young audiences.” From a variety of sources including Sesame Street and Atlantic Magazine. Talking to Children About Race and Ethnicity, Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences. ““Racing” Towards Equality: Why Talking to Your Kids About Race Is Good for Everyone.” 21 video modules focused on early and middle childhood. |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PD FOR LIBRARIANS Lambert, Nancy Jo. “Texas School Librarians, Whiteness, & Showing Up for the Work. “ KQ, AASL, 7 July 2020.
PD FOR LIBRARIANS “Reimagining Equity and Access for Divers Youth”, UNC SLIS and Wake County Public Schools. Foundations offers 13 modules; Transforming Practice offers 11 more modules; Continuing the Journey offers 3 modules.
PD FOR LIBRARIANS Lambert, Nancy Jo. “Texas School Librarians, Whiteness, & Showing Up for the Work. “ KQ, AASL, 7 July 2020.
PD FOR LIBRARIANS “Reimagining Equity and Access for Divers Youth”, UNC SLIS and Wake County Public Schools. Foundations offers 13 modules; Transforming Practice offers 11 more modules; Continuing the Journey offers 3 modules.