Building an Anti-Racist Library: Black Lives Matter
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” - Desmond Tutu.
Most of my daughter's books are about animals because we noticed most books do not include diversity. This is us helping build anti-racist, diversity inclusive, children's books libraries - starting with Black Lives Matter. It is so important to have books with people of all color, culture, religion, and socioeconomic status in your child’s library, now more than ever. There are SO many books out there celebrating diversity.
I think another important factor is showcasing illustrators that have subtly added diversity to stories by making characters, that very well could have been any ethnicity, Black (in this list at least).
(Eventually I will work on writing more lists for different groups of people to celebrate them and support anti-racism ideals.)
A lot of these reviews are from memory (books we read at the library, bookstore, or borrowed) due to COVID-19 closing the libraries and bookstores not being determined as essential. I hate buying books without previewing them or reading decent reviews. Fortunately, I was able to read or listen to some books online. The books without reviews are ones I saw recommended but have not had a chance to read (I plan on editing this as I read more).
My favorite books
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena - read by Amanda Gorman on Instagram @savewithstories - I love how it’s about a little boy and his grandmother. It touches on a child noticing he is in a different socioeconomic class than a friend, and his grandma has the best explanation for why they ride the bus. (My daughter is obsessed with buses and I can read her this when we finally get to take our Muni adventure)
Hats of Faith by Medeia Cohan - “A” always gravitated to this book at the library. I learned a lot about the different cultures and I feel a deeper understanding when I see different “hats” now. I like to think “A” will impress a woman one day by asking about her special hat and pronouncing it correctly.
I Am Perfectly Designed by Karamo Brown and Jason Brown - We found this our local bookstore. I love that the illustrator showcases gay families, transracial families, and dogs in the background. It's a cute story written for a father and son - but great for me to read as a mom to a daughter too. It reminds me of I Love You Forever, and I will be gifting it to any of my male friends having children in the future.
Chocolate Me by Taye Diggs - Read by Taye Diggs on Instagram @savewithstories - The beginning of the story made me so sad because it shows what trickle down racism is (when parents or cultures allow even mildly racist attitudes to get passed down to their children). For my daughter who loves chocolate, she’ll probably end up becoming obsessed with this book (plus there’s a dog).
Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO by Tamara Pizzoli - read by Hope Boykin on Instagram @savewithstories - Gives a modern face to a childhood fable, a powerful woman of color. It has fun references for adults and helps children remember to have good oral care. It would help the clever kids who “don’t believe in the tooth fairy”.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes - I listened to Neyo read this on Instagram @savewithstories - This is wonderful for all children, it showcases mainly men but it shows women who go to the barber too. It can be empowering for a little girl, like mine, who's hair won't grow long and is frustrated.
Hair Love - Matthew A. Cherry - read by Gabrielle Union on Instagram @savewithstory - I originally read this book at the library and loved the strong father daughter bond. It reminded me of when my dad had to do my hair before a theater performance because my mom had work… I love this because it shows the unique relationship of dads and their daughters. It’s also special to me because I remember how insecure my mom was when she lost her hair during chemo (as a former hairdresser, she was devastated).
The King of Kindergarten - by Derrick Barnes - read by Sugar Ray Leonard on Instagram @savewithstory - I love any story showing children’s first days of school - The parents in this story showcase the kind of reassurance children need to help make their first day of school more exciting than scary.
I Am Brave: A Little Book about Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer - This book is super approachable for young children and new readers. There is a lot out there for MLK, this one I liked because it’s short and sweet.
Superheroes are Everywhere by Kamala Harris - read by Kamala Harris on Instagram @savewithstory - About a young Kamala Harris and her childhood heroes (like in her family). She takes ideas of what we believe as superheroes, and takes those characteristics and relates them to her family.
Go Dog Go by PD Eastman - This “A”’s all-time favorite book. It’s on this list because in the first pages it talks about Black dogs and White dogs. It then introduces there are all these colors of dogs. It shows interactions with different dogs and all the colors of dogs are at the dog party. Metaphorically, I like that.
Additional books separated into categories: activism, hobbies, STEM, feel good, feelings, history, and those written by POC. There are so many more children's biographies, I only included a few. To reiterate, if the book does not have a review, it is on my "to read" list and I will update as I continue to read more.
Books about activism and racism
I am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer - "A" loved the bus part of this book. The illustrations really appealed to "A". This series of books is obviously one I like (it was recommended by A's teacher auntie).
Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin - I felt like this story hits really close to home as I could easily see this happening in a lot of childhoods. This book is especially important to read to children who don’t go to very diverse schools.
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King III
Something Happened in Our Town by Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano, and Marietta Collins
Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
Ghost Boys by Parker Rhodes
A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
Skin Like Mine by LaTashia M. Perry
M Is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child by Tiffany Rose
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Books pertaining to athletes
I am Jackie Robinson by Brad Meltzer - For any child who is a sports fan, especially baseball. Jackie Robinson is also a good person to learn about when sharing stories of resilience.
Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream - Deloris Jordan and Roslyn Jordan - This book is illustrated in the style of the books of my childhood (vs. the digitally designed books released today).
Stephen Curry: The Children’s Book: The Boy Who Never Gave Up by Anthony Curcio
Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen
The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby by Crystal Hubbard
STEM books
How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk - "A" calls this book how to be a beach puppy since there is a dog sidekick. It a STEM girls of color book - I think the little girl may even be biracial. The story itself does not talk about race, rather showcase a smart girl figuring out how to solve her problem with programming fundamentals
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed - read by Kerry Washington on Instagram @savewithstory - I love that it’s a STEM girl book. I love how encouraging the people in Mae’s life are about her dreams. Children who are allowed to dream often keep their dreams.
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly and Winifred Conkling - The artwork is beautiful and I’d recommend it as even just a STEM book. It’s an adaptation of the 368-page biography, with a movie based on it.
Black Women in Science: A Black History Book for Women by Kimberly Brown Pellum
Books relatable to any child
Snowy Day - Ezra Jack Keats - Read by Grace Harry & Quest Love on Instagram @savewithstories - I saw this book on some lists posted by my educator friends. It doesn’t talk about race but it shows a child of color doing normal child stuff. Many of my teacher friends have it in their classroom libraries because of its subtleties.
A Bowtie For Me by Ja’Ron Vanderhall - Read by Mr. V. on Instagram @savewithstories - For any Dr. Seuss fan. I like how it teaches about work ethic. It also showcases how teachers love their students. “Readers are leaders…”
Fresh Princess by Denene Millner - This is a fun book for any Fresh Prince of Bel Air fans. I believe it’s being turned into a series, but I could entirely be wrong. I enjoyed it as a standalone book.
Hair Magic by Mbali Kgame - read by Boipelo Mabe on Instagram @savewithstories - Helps explain that sometimes friends can be bullies too and how changing your perspective can change others around you too.
Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
I am Awesome by Garcelle Beauvais and Sebastian A. Jones - read by Garcelle Beauvais on Instagram @savewithstories - This story rhymes and tells children why they are awesome in relatable ways. It also showcases different varieties of people.
Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds - Read by Ciara and Russell Wilson on Instagram @savewithstories - I like how you can flip to any page and read it. Positive messages.
I am Human - Susan Verde - read by Kelly Rowland on Instagram @savewithstory - I love the positivity of this story and realness. It tells about the power of being human and lightly explores human vulnerability and free will.
Love by Matt de la Pena - read by Amanda Gorman on Instagram @savewithstory - It reminds me of seeing the world through a child’s eyes. It’s a very positive book sharing things that describes how a child might describe what love is.
When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner
You Go Girl! A Letter to Young Queens by Kara M. Oliver
Books about feelings
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
Don’t Touch My Hair! by Sharee Miller
The Skin I’m In by Pat Thomas
Skin Like Mine by LaTashia M. Perry
You Go Girl! A Letter to Young Queens by Kara M. Oliver
Books about history
Little Leaders, Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison - I loved the span of this book. No matter your politics, you should be able to agree these women have made huge impacts.
Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison - I love female women of color books. There aren’t a whole lot of historical women celebrated, nevertheless historical women of color. You can read a woman a day to your child and they’re totally doable and inspiring.
Who Was… series
The Obamas by Violet Lemay
A Birthday Cake for George Washington by Ramin Ganeshram
A lot of books were left out because there are SO many once you get into biographies especially.
Nonbinary/trans books
Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff - I read this at our local bookstore. I felt like it was even heavy for me until I had a conversation with a trans friend. It's a really good example of the transitional period for a family.
It Feels Good to Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn