Educate Your Kids
Diversity and art and representation. They’re so important. Particularly for our children. We know this. I want to specifically talk about children’s books because we are essentially reading and showing picture books to our babies as soon as they get here. And, if you remember from my Do Something post, kids are never too young to start talking about race and diversity.
For a while, a lot of the rhetoric around books with characters of color has focused on little Black and Brown girls and boys needing to see books with Black and Brown protagonists and characters engaged in plotlines because they need to see themselves in books—going on adventures, learning new things, making friends, dealing with difficult times, having fun with family, etc. Because, as we know, representation matters. It is absolutely a great contributor in the development of a child’s confidence, self-worth, and self-concept. I often think about Marian Wright Edelman (Children’s Defense Fund founder) saying, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” When a little Black girl is reading a book about a Black female doctor helping others, she sees herself and so many possibilities. When a young Black boy is reading a book with a Black male astronaut preparing for launch, he sees himself and opportunities for the future.
So yes, representation absolutely matters. But these books are not just for children of color. All children, particularly white children, need to see diversity in the books that are read to them and that they begin to read. What if white children only see white protagonists and characters in books? They’re only seeing themselves which can create an exaggerated sense of self and continue to perpetuate power and privilege. Reading and looking at diverse books can open eyes and perhaps, just maybe, we can begin to dismantle systemic racism because our kids can start early to see and celebrate differences but also discover similarities and shared experiences. All of our children need to see diversity in books so that we can become more inclusive, create equitable spaces, and continue on our path of anti-racism.
To help you in those efforts, I have highlighted a few of my 5-year-old daughter’s favorite books (she picked them out when I told her what I was doing). She has been spoiled with books since before she arrived, so she has quite the collection of wonderful stories and this list is in no way comprehensive of what’s out there or of what is on her shelves. Here is a handful—some have made her exclaim, “That’s me!” others have made her giggle, and others have made her ask questions. It’s important to note that not every book that features a “diverse” character highlights that diversity difference—just another beautiful story about a day in the life of a kid. Please also note that these are in no particular order except for the very first two. There has been a “favorite” stack of books on my daughter’s bookshelf since she was a baby and these two have long been occupants. Even after a reorganization to shift the baby board books, these two remained.
And lastly, I’ve linked each book to various Black-owned bookstores (depending on availability) if you would like to purchase. If you would like to do your own perusing, check out this great list of 22 Black-owned bookstores throughout the country that are absolutely open for online shopping.
Here we go!
Love Is by Diane Adams | Claire Keane
An incredible and beautiful metaphor for parenthood, Love Is follows a little girl who befriends a duckling, takes it home to care for it and raise it, and then realizes it’s time for him to spread his wings. The very first time we read it together, I shed many tears, because as we know, love is not only about keeping close and holding on but also about letting go and setting free.
Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim | LeUyen Pham
I began reading this to my daughter when she was an infant and it’s a playful songlike story inspired by every baby’s favorite game, This Little Piggy. Incredibly giggle inducing, Whose Toes are Those has now been memorized by my daughter and she can recite every word with glee and laughter. Also check out the author’s follow-up, Whose Knees are These?
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
I have fond childhood memories of Keats’ The Snowy Day, and Whistle for Willie follows Peter when he’s a little older on another day of wonder through the neighborhood, but this time in the summer. Throughout the day he is trying to figure out how to whistle so he can call his dog and practice finally makes perfect. It’s especially fun when we’re reading the book and it suddenly turns into a family whistling contest.
A is for Activist and Counting on Community
by Innosanto Nagara
A fun, rhyming, alliterative way to get early conversations started about activism, equity, diversity, and civil rights, A is for Activist was initially written by Nagara for his children and then became more widely available after a successful Kickstarter campaign. How many alphabet and counting board books do we have for our children? These are great additions because they help begin discussions about social issues and equity and as my daughter has grown, and now participated in protests she recalls, “J is Justice! Yay for Justice!”
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
by Vashti Harrison
Introduce your kids to 40 bold, brave, and trailblazing Black women who changed the world. Illustrated as young children, the beautiful and playful art appeals to and engages young listeners and readers as they learn about strengths, challenges, perseverance, and each woman’s important contributions in individual mini-biographies. I love the conversations these start and the dreams and excitement my daughter shares after learning about their different journeys and passions. Also check out the board book version as well as Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History.
Vote for Our Future!
by Margaret McNamara | Micah Player
This was an energizing and colorful book to explain a little more about what voting is, its implications and importance, and how we can use our voices to make change. My daughter was all about Vote for Our Future! right before Super Tuesday this year. Told from the perspective of elementary students whose school shuts down every two years on the first Tuesday of November, they go on a mission to get out the vote in their community and it’s very inspiring. Super relevant right now!
How Do You Dance? by Thyra Heder
Just a fun, beautifully illustrated book to get you up and move! There are so many ways to dance, wiggle, and groove and as we learn through trying out everyone’s different moves in How Do You Dance?—there is no wrong way. Probably not the best bedtime story because I think my daughter never sits for a moment during it, but it’s wonderful to see how much joy dance brings to everyone in the story as well as everyone reading it.
The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler | David Lee Csicsko
This is another book that’s been in rotation for most of my daughter’s life. The sing-song melody of the beautifully descriptive prose in The Skin You Live In is perfect for really young kiddos, but the messages of differences and social acceptance alongside shared experiences and activities resonate with all. I vividly remember my daughter pointing to three different shades of people very early on and saying, “Daddy, Mommy, and me.”
Carmela Full of Wishes
by Matt de la Peña | Christian Robinson
Carmela wakes up on her birthday and she’s excited she gets to finally run errands with her brother around the neighborhood. When she finds a dandelion, she thinks about what could be the most perfect wish to make. Her ideas are endless, but they take you on a journey of her own life experiences, dreams, and selflessness. This story has started many discussions about hope, possibilities, family, and my daughter’s wishes for others.
Princess Truly in My Magical Sparkling Curls
by Kelly Greenawalt | Amariah Rauscher
Definitely in my daughter’s top 5, the Princess Truly books (this is her second adventure after Princess Truly in I am Truly), have received the most, “she’s just like me!” exclamations. In her purple tutu, high tops, and curly buns, Princess Truly can do anything—hopscotch with dinosaurs, ride in a rocket ship, tame wild lions, and conduct experiments. Great stories to build confidence, self-esteem, and leadership while ignoring gendered stereotypes.
Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty | Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Beautifully, playfully, and deliberately illustrated, Beautiful uses stereotypical girly assumptions in text (e.g. “Beautiful girls move gracefully” and “have a smart style”) paired with joyful, energetic, and diverse artwork showing girls playing sports, doing experiments, and reading by flashlight in tents. My daughter loves how much fun everyone is having and there’s always an activity she picks out that we need to do the next day.
Maybe Something Beautiful
by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell | Rafael López
Based on the true story of the colorful transformation of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful shows how art can impact and improve life and bring a community and neighborhood together. The illustrations are absolutely brilliant and the story is incredibly inspiring and leaves you feeling hopeful. Don’t be surprised if your kiddos want to start their own murals outside!
Twenty Yawns by Jane Smiley | Lauren Castillo
I love this book for so many reasons: long fun day at the beach, mom falls asleep reading Lucy a bedtime story, and dad has also fallen asleep in the living room. Extremely relatable for our family! Lucy can’t go to sleep so she brings all her stuffed friends to bed with her and everyone yawns and drifts away. It’s a really beautiful and lyrical bedtime story that will inevitably get the yawns going for all.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman | Caroline Binch
A vivid and inspiring story about passion, determination, love, and energetic confidence, Amazing Grace follows Grace who loves to act out all her favorite stories. When her class decides to put on a production of Peter Pan, we follow Grace as she sets out to star in the title role and prove that she is the best. Examining stereotypical gender and race roles, this is another story that has created many “you can be anything you want!” conversations.
Violet’s Music by Angela Johnson | Laura Huliska-Beith
Super relatable to a lot of little kiddos, Violet loves to sing and play instruments, ever since she was a baby. However, she always seems to have trouble finding others that want to make music—all she wants is to find some friends that want to jam with her. A fun, poetic, and heartwarming story that emphasizes staying true to yourself and finding companions that really get you. My daughter always has a little jam session after (or throughout).
The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson | E. B. Lewis
Dealing directly with segregation and prejudice, The Other Side explores a budding friendship one summer when Annie, a white girl from the other side of the fence, sits atop and stares at Clover’s side. Clover, whose mother has long warned her to never climb to the other side because it wasn’t safe, is curious, yet cautious. Beautifully illustrated and an ideal canvas for starting conversations, the story is inspiring and as the description inside the book jacket reminds us, “change can happen little by little, one child at a time.”
Like A Girl by Lori Degman | Mara Penny
An empowering and informative book full of vivid, beautiful illustrations, Like A Girl reframes the out of date insult as a powerful, inspiring honor full of strength, intellect, wonder, and dedication. We learn through memorable rhyming prose about women all over the globe of varying races, religions, abilities, ages, geographies who broke barriers and changed the world. Another reminder that anyone can do anything, whenever we get to Simone Biles, who “trains like a girl,” my daughter, the budding gymnast, giddily exclaims, “I love her! That’s going to be me!”
And there you have it. A small sample of my daughter’s favorite books. I hope you add some to your library. What books do your kiddos love that are representative, diverse, inclusive, and empowering?
Finally, there are quite a few lists out there highlighting books that feature Black girls and boys as protagonists. Here are some for you to continue your perusal and further expand your library and children’s abilities to stand up and dismantle racism.
Keeping Martin Luther King Jr’s Dream Alive
Recommended Black Children’s Books
As we know, and as We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) reminds us, reading, looking at, and listening to diverse stories that represent different cultures, beliefs, abilities, and skin colors help us change our attitude toward those differences for the better—we will celebrate differences and discover commonalities and shared interests. Please also check out this Bedtime Stories List from Mattress Advisor for an incredibly inclusive list of books for kiddos that truly celebrates diversity and encourages opportunities to broaden their views and perspectives with stories highlighting diversity and inclusion, BIPOC protagonists, diverse family structures, LGBTQIA+ representation, and abilities and disabilities representation. We’ll certainly be adding these to the bedtime rotation!