How to Select Diverse Picture Books
Check the illustrations
check for stereotypes, tokenism, invisibility, and misrepresentation
Check the story line
check for gender stereotypes, racial generalizations, and historical inaccuracy
Check the lifestyle
check for implications of inferiority and superiority in characters and settings
check for negative representation of certain countries and groups
look for accurate representation of Indigenous Peoples and racialized groups
Check for relationships among people
check for the white or male main roles and racialized supporting roles
look for various family structures
look for societal reasons (e.g., war, abuse, unemployment, homelessness)
look for children and adults engaging in actions for change
Check the heroes
check for discrimination, offensive humour, and patronization
check for the myth of the model minority in racialized heroes
look for gender and racial representation
Check the effects on children's self-image and social identities
check for stereotypes
look for inclusivity, representation, and empowering messages
Check the author's or illustrator's background and perspective
check for cultural appropriation, Eurocentric point of view
look for authenticity
look for global communities
Check the language
check for assumed cultural superiority, offensive implications, loaded words
look for inclusivity (e.g., ancestors vs. forefathers)
Check the copyright date
check for accuracy
look for multiple perspectives
Assess the appeal of the story and illustrations to young children
(Derman-Sparks, 2016; ETFO, 2011)
Diverse Picture Books
Click on the images below for learning activities.
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References
Derman-Sparks, L. (2016). Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books. Social Justice Books. https://socialjusticebooks.org/guide-for-selecting-anti-bias-childrens-books/
Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (2011). Social Justice Begins With Me. ETFO. https://www.etfo.ca/BuildingAJustSociety/EquityResources/Pages/SocialJustice.aspx