Deciding what information to share and discuss with the children in your life can be challenging. Using books and stories to introduce difficult topics might help.
The list below contains titles for kids that speak to the headlines, hashtags, demonstrations, and ongoing dialogue about race in America. There are also titles that focus on positive everyday experiences of kids of color.
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If you’re looking for more book suggestions, we’re happy to recommend them to you! Use this Book Recommendation form to send us some information about what you like to read and we’ll curate a list just for you.
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Explains, in simple terms, the reasons for skin color, how it is determined by heredity, and how various environmental factors affect it. Includes notes for parents and teachers and activity ideas. Parallel text in English and Spanish. You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoopla.
What is racism? What is antiracism? Why are both important to learn about? In this book, systemic racism and the antiracist tools to fight it are easily accessible to young readers.
Irene Latham, who is white, and Charles Waters, who is black, present paired poems about topics including family dinners, sports, recess, and much more. You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoopla, as eAudio on Hoopla or as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Paula Young Shelton shares her memories of the civil rights movement and her involvement in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Celebrates the magnificent feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hair. You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoopla, as video on Hoopla or as video on with read along on Hoopla.
Aria loves her soft and bouncy hair, but must go to extremes to avoid people who touch it without permission until, finally, she speaks up. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a police officer, drawing connections through history, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes. Only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
As children all over the world get ready for bed, the moon watches over them. The moon knows that when we sleep, we dream. And when we dream, we imagine what is possible and what the world can be. “Goodnight Racism” delivers important messages about antiracism, justice, and equality in an easy-to-read format that empowers readers both big and small.
An age-appropriate introduction to the concepts of race, gender, consent and body positivity.
In 2007, Abigail Caldwell, the first female and African American city manager for the town of Lambert, South Carolina, was forced to resign after covertly digging up the municipal tennis courts in search of buried treasure. Now, a decade later, the late Abigail’s twelve-year-old granddaughter Candice is following the same arcane clues, hoping to uncover the Parker inheritance. But who was Parker? You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
After discussing the police shooting of a local Black man with their families, Emma and Josh know how to treat a new student who looks and speaks differently than his classmates. Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers that provides general guidance about addressing racism with children, child-friendly vocabulary definitions, conversation guides, and a link to additional online resources for parents and teachers. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
When five-year-old Sulwe’s classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
An ode to black American triumph and tribulation. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
