This past weekend has been devastating and has left many parents trying to figure out how they get active, become allies, and raise better humans: kids who spot injustice and stand for equity. But where do we start? And when do we start?
Books are a great place to begin, so we reached out to Brittany Murlas, founder and CEO of Little Feminist, whose monthly book club subscription uses the power of diverse children’s books to help families integrate lessons of injustice and fighting for equity into storytime. “Parents can’t teach anti-racism all by themselves at home. Raising anti-racist/sexist/ableist humans requires we build empathy in our little ones, and we learn empathy from others, from their stories. Diverse children’s books are truly the best tool,” says Murlas.
It’s never too young to introduce these topics. It turns out that kids notice race as early as preschool. Studies have shown parents' silence on racism actually reinforces it. However, according to a study just last year, 60% of parents rarely or never discuss race/ethnicity or social class with their children. It’s critical that we start these conversations young if we want to raise a generation of empathetic and anti-racist humans.
It’s hard to find great diverse books, but littlefeminist.com helped us out with the research, so we can focus on raising the next generation of better humans.
Here are six often-hard-to-find book categories that are as important as ever to be included on your family’s bookshelf.
Read books about racism
Not My Idea (picture book) – Written for white families to challenge their white privilege, there is no other children’s book like this, and it’s a must-read. Right now digital copies are being offered for free.
The Undefeated (picture book) – Stunning poetry and illustrations highlight black history and black futures in this award-winning book. Understanding black history is essential to understanding American history, and this book serves as a great tool for acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of African Americans.
Read books about fighting for racial justice
Separate Is Never Equal (picture book) – Both informative and engaging, this story of desegregation in California schools is so important for us to share, so we can continue this movement today. This story follows Mexican-American families who advocated for themselves and other Mexican families at a time when race-based segregation was the accepted law.
Pies From Nowhere (picture book) – The story of Georgia Gilmore, a civil rights activist, reminds us that we can all stand for justice using our unique skills. We love how the story celebrates Georgia’s big body too.
Read biographies of people of color— beyond athletes and musicians
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History (picture book) – Our favorite anthology of black female leaders!
A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks (picture book) – The first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize, Gwendolyn Brooks’ poems drew on her experiences growing up on the South Side of Chicago. The beautiful illustrations of her life, accompanied with her very own poems, fight colorism and white-washing by showing her dark skin.
Read books about being bullied for being different
The Proudest Blue (picture book) – Hijabi gold-medal Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad brings authenticity to her own story of wearing a hijab at school. A powerful reminder that something as simple as showing up in the world while observing your faith and heritage requires incredible bravery.
Always Anjali (picture book) – This book provides a window into Indian culture and shows us what it’s like to grow up with a unique name. Anjali’s story portrays the complexities of bullying, showing how people can be active upstanders who support the person getting bullied versus passive bystanders.
Read books that celebrate (and are by) indigenous peoples
May We Have Enough to Share (board book) – Gorgeous photos all taken by indigenous female photographers capture the spirit of gratitude.
Go Show the World (picture book) – This lovely book is written as a rap celebrating the story of indigenous people throughout time. The lyrical text and poignant illustrations make this title a must-read, and it's an important reminder that indigenous communities and cultures are still here.
Read books showcasing all family structures and genders
We Are Little Feminists: Families (board book) – With photos of real families and rhyming text, this board book showcases different families with one thing in common: love. Let your kiddos wonder about gender pronouns and expressions as they observe the people on each page.
Love Makes a Family (board book) – Beautiful metaphors highlight the emotional love and labor that caregivers pour into families. We love the diverse family constellations that even highlight single parents and elder caregivers.
