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Below you will find a few highlighted and recommended children's books.
Below you will find a few highlighted and recommended children's books.
"Yes, this really is a kids book about racism. Inside, you’ll find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens. 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."
Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism.
This book 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.
Through the eyes of a little girl who begins to see her familiar world in a new way, this book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect all people.
"This wonderful book should be a first choice for all collections and is strongly recommended as a springboard for discussions about differences." --School Library Journal
This powerful picture book is a winner of both the 2020 Caldecott Medal for illustration and a Newbery Honor for writing. It's a tribute to achievements throughout black history, and an unflinching look at the horrors to overcome. - description taken from here
From an Amazon.com customer review: "This book GETS IT! One, it does not focus on one race. Like it says, we are ALL beautifully different and all the same. So, being different comes in many shades and we see all of them here. The rhyme is whimsical and fun, but hits the nail on the head. The pictures are fun and vibrant."
“A new girl, Maya, shows up at school, and the whole class, including Chloe, our main character, shuns her because she’s shabbily dressed and seems different. This goes on for a while, and then Maya is suddenly gone, and Chloe realizes she’s missed her chance to be kind. This is a powerful picture book that bravely ends with regret.”— Matt de la Peña
“It’s one of the more shocking and little-known stories of the civil rights movement: In 1963, the City of Birmingham jailed hundreds of kids for joining the Children’s March. Among them was 9-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks, taken from her family to spend a week behind bars, eating ‘oily grits’ and sleeping on a bare mattress. Levinson and Newton keep her story bright and snappy, emphasizing the girl’s eagerness to make a difference and her proud place in her community.”— Maria Russo, former children’s book editor at The New York Times
Looking for books for middle school and high school kids? Check out the Student page.
Looking for books for middle school and high school kids? Check out the Student page.
CCBC (Children's Cooperative Book Center) located in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has created many great lists of recommended books on the topic of race as well as highlighting Black experiences. Check out some of their lists below:
CCBC (Children's Cooperative Book Center) located in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has created many great lists of recommended books on the topic of race as well as highlighting Black experiences. Check out some of their lists below:
Below are lists of books and resources to help you find books to talk about race, racism, and antiracism with your children.
Below are lists of books and resources to help you find books to talk about race, racism, and antiracism with your children.
100 Picture books including Black people and communities and why you need them
Books and Resources to Help You Raise Anti-Racist Children - This website has a plethora of information! There are books and then other lists for books on specific topics! A great place to begin looking at books for children of all ages.
Anti-Racism For Kids 101: Starting To Talk About Race - This webpage talks about ways to start talking to your kids about race and provides several suggestions of children's books. This information is on booksforlittles.com which is focused on providing engaging children’s picture books to discuss hard topics with the next generation of kind and brilliant leaders.
Anti-Racism 102: Why Not All Racial Discrimination is ‘Racism’ - A continuation of the above from the Books for Littles website, offering books to help talk about specific issues with children.
Microaggressions Against Multiracial Kids – Books Where Kids Can Belong - another great resource from Books for Littles. "This post highlights my experience as an ambiguously multiracial woman constantly challenged by nosy strangers to justify my ‘otherness’ in public – and how reading picture books with my children has given me a sense of belonging. "
22 Picture Books to Inspire Conversations about Diversity
These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids:The conversation about race needs to start early and keep happening.
5 Picture Books About Inclusion for Children (And Everyone Else) - from We Need Diverse Books: a non-profit, grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people. The entire website is worth checking out!
Coretta Scott King Awards books from Common Sense Media - If you are not familiar with Common Sense Media here is what they area about (taken from their website): "Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, books, and more so parents can feel good about the entertainment choices they make for their kids. We offer the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews."
A padlet (visual curation) of books for children books and digital media to help young people understand racism, white privilege and the role of activism.
37 Children’s Books to help talk about Racism & Discrimination
30 books to help you talk to your kids about racism
Jacqueline Woodson Shares Essential Book for Discussing Racism With Kids
Librarians share a Black Lives Matter comics reading list - selections for all age ranges.
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