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Race and Anti-Racist Book Lists and Resources 
Race, Anti-Racist, Equality and Social Justice Resources For All Students, Librarians, Teachers, Families and Communities
Race, Anti-Racist, Equality and Social Justice Resources For All Students, Librarians, Teachers, Families and Communities
You will find the Collection by Destiny here. 
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KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives: Anti-Racist Resources for Children, Families, and Educators
KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives: Anti-Racist Resources for Children, Families, and Educators
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This List is Anti-Racist by Brain Lair Books
This List is Anti-Racist by  Brain Lair Books
You will find the list here. 
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Broadening the Story: 60 Picture Books Starring Black Mighty Girls
Broadening the Story: 60 Picture Books Starring Black Mighty Girls
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60 Mighty Girl Books About Standing Up for Others
60 Mighty Girl Books About Standing Up for Others
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A Teacher Tweeted Her Favorite Children's Books On Racism And It Went Viral
A Teacher Tweeted Her Favorite Children's Books On Racism And It Went Viral
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50 Board Books Featuring Faces of Color
50 Board Books Featuring Faces of Color
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Social Justice Books
Social Justice Books
Young Adult Fiction 
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Brightly | Helping Parents Grow Lifelong Readers
Brightly | Helping Parents Grow Lifelong Readers
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Social Justice Book Lists
Social Justice Book Lists 
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Honoring African American Women from History
Honoring African American Women from History
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Book List: Understanding & Challenging Racism
Book List: Understanding & Challenging Racism
By. Eric Bodwell

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21 Anti-Racism Videos To Share With Kids
21 Anti-Racism Videos To Share With Kids
From We Are Teachers
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21 Anti-Racism Videos To Share With Kids

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21 Anti-Racism Videos To Share With Kids

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From We Are Teachers

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The United States has a racism problem. The idea of tackling such complicated and hurtful topics in our homes and classrooms is daunting, but we can't look away. We MUST face it. Fortunately, we live in a time when technology provides resources, such as the anti-racism videos below, designed to support us as we navigate these difficult and painful conversations.

For Parents and Educators

It's crucial that you feel confident and prepared to lead important discussions about what it means to be not only "not racist," but resolutely anti-racist. Here are some resources to help you get ready.

Be Boldly Anti-Racist

Elementary school educator, Naomi O'Brien, asks: "How did I become boldly anti-racist? By following my mom's example. How can you be bold and set an example for your kids and students?"

How to Talk to Kids About Race

In a new episode of Home School, The Atlantic's animated series about parenting, author Jeremy Tisby offers advice on how to have a conversation with children about race, from experiential learning to watching classic animated films.

How I Teach Kids About Racism (Kindergarten and 1st Grade)

This video is about elementary school teachers sharing the lessons they teach each year to introduce the topic of racism to their kindergarten and first grade students.

How Parents Can Help Kids Understand the Protests and Fight Racism

Dr. Janet Taylor shares advice with parents who may be struggling to talk about racism and the unrest that has erupted after the death of George Floyd.

For Kids and Students

Whether you're curled up with your kids at home or leading a group of students, here are some educational anti-racism videos to help get the conversation started.

Let's Talk About Race

The Tutu Teacher made this video for kindergarten students. In the video, she discusses what racism is and how it's impacted the lives of Black and Brown people. She also reads aloud the story Let's Talk about Race.

Sesame Street: Color of Me Song

Sesame Street explores: "What is the color of 'you?' Is your skin color tan, light brown, milky white, or dark dark brown? Whatever color you are, be proud and sing along."

Sesame Street: Song: I Love My Hair

Sesame Street invites children to "...sing along and make the world aware that YOU love your hair!"

Systemic Racism Explained

Systemic racism affects every area of life in the U.S., from incarceration rates to predatory loans, and trying to solve these problems requires changes in major parts of our system. This video offers a closer look at what systemic racism is, and how we can solve it.

Discrimination Explained for Kids

In this video, Pop'n'Olly discover what discrimination means and provide a few examples. They also talk about discrimination and the law.

Sesame Street Explains Racism and Protesting

Sesame Street and CNN worked together to create the "Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism" town hall for kids and families.

Woke Read Alouds: Wings

In this video, Ki reads the story Wings by author/illustrator Christopher Myers. They take readers on a fun, animated, and thoughtful journey through the book, leaving time for think alouds and responses from kids. They also include reading strategies, resources, and tips for parents throughout. This resource serves as a full academic read aloud.

Kids Talk About Segregation

It's been 62 years since Brown v. Board of Education, but the percentage of racially segregated schools in the United States has been growing steadily over the past 15 years. New York has the most segregated schools in the country. This video talks to Bronx 5th graders about what segregation looks like today.

A Kids Book About Racism

This read aloud is, as the title suggests, 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.

A Kids Book About Belonging

This read aloud tackles what it's like when you feel like you belong to a group or family or team and what it's like when you don't. It addresses what it feels like when you don't fit in, or when others don't want you around. This book teaches kids how to belong to themselves and how that helps them belong anywhere.

SAY SOMETHING Read Aloud

This read aloud of SAY SOMETHING helps explain race to kids as well as the importance of speaking up.

Students Learn A Powerful Lesson About Privilege

Using a recycling bin and some scrap paper, this video showcases a powerful exercise about privilege. Do all students have the same opportunities?

Black Parents Explain How to Deal with the Police

Brave parents and their curious kids confront some of life's biggest and most uncomfortable lessons.

Film Kits for Classrooms

These classroom-friendly films and user guides will help you bring social justice topics to life. Incredibly, Teaching Tolerance offers these film kits for FREE for use in K-12 schools, public libraries, schools of education, houses of worship, and youth-serving nonprofit organizations.

Designed for in-service programs, this training tool for early grades educators profiles classrooms in which peace, equity, and justice are guiding themes. (Available for order.)

This film takes viewers to the very communities where heinous acts of violence took place, offering a painful look back at lives lost to lynching and a critical look forward. (Available for streaming only.)

The film tells the story of a courageous group of students and teachers who, along with other activists, fought a nonviolent battle to win voting rights for African Americans in the South. (Available for order.)

This special teachers' edition of the Oscar-winning documentary film tells the heroic story of the young people in Birmingham, Alabama, who brought segregation to its knees. (Available for order.)

A Time for Justice, an Oscar-winning documentary, captures the spirit of the civil rights movement through historical footage and the voices of activists who sat, sang, and marched. (Available for order.)
What anti-racism videos do you feel are important to education? Share in the comments below. Also, 19 Black Teachers on Instagram to Listen To and Learn From.

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21 Anti-Racism Videos To Share With Kids

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The United States has a racism problem. The idea of tackling such complicated and hurtful topics in our homes and classrooms is daunting, but we can't look away. We MUST face it. Fortunately, we live in a time when technology provides resources, such as the anti-racism videos below, designed to support us as we navigate these difficult and painful conversations.

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Book List: Understanding & Challenging Racism

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Book List: Understanding & Challenging Racism

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By. Eric Bodwell

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Book List: Understanding & Challenging Racism

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Brightly | Helping Parents Grow Lifelong Readers

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Brightly | Helping Parents Grow Lifelong Readers

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Brightly | Helping Parents Grow Lifelong Readers

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Find great books for kids, reading strategies, age-specific book lists, exclusive author content, and more.

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KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives: Anti-Racist Resources for Children, Families, and Educators

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KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives: Anti-Racist Resources for Children, Families, and Educators

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"We who believe in freedom cannot rest."
-Ella Baker

Thank you so much to all who joined us for the KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives, created and coordinated by Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, and Jason Reynolds. Please share your reflections on social media with the hashtag #KidLit4BlackLives.
The Rally recording is currently available on our YouTube channel.
The Brown Bookshelf remains committed to the ongoing work of amplifying and celebrating Black voices, of rejecting white supremacy, and empowering young readers. It continues to be "our collective mission, therefore, to promote understanding and justice through our art; to bolster every child's visceral belief that his or her life shall always be infinitely valuable." Strive for equity and engage in the work of liberation. Use our site in your home, classroom, and library to find just a small fraction of the incredible number of stories by Black creators from all across the Diaspora. We feature picture book, middle grade, and young adult titles in all genres. Share the many different creator stories, titles, and multimedia resources in our 28 Days Later archives.

As Walter Dean Myers wrote, "There is work to be done." We are sharing the resources listed below, and invite you to do the work, every day, and move toward justice.

The time is now. It is a matter of life and death.
The Conscious Kid The Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners
The African American Children's Book Project (read our interview with the founder, Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, here.)
We Need Diverse Books Here Wee Read Fare of the Free Child Podcast 1619 Podcast Race Forward/Colorlines Color of Change
Just Us Books (read our Q&A with founders Cheryl and Wade Hudson here, and watch Just Us' new YouTube series, "Just Us &".)
The National Visionary Leadership Project Black Youth Project 100 Zinn Education Project Teaching for Change Teaching Tolerance National Museum of African American History & Culture Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility Black Children's Books & Authors
Kweli Journal (read our conversation with founder Laura Pegram here.)
Helping Kids Rise Rethinking Schools Clear the Air Disrupt Texts Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations CrazyQuiltEdi Blog The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund Black Visions Collective ACLU Of Minnesota Dignity and Power Now

We Got This: Equity, Access, and the Quest to Be Who Our Students Need Us to Be (Heinemann) by Cornelius Minor

Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension (Heinemann) by Sara K. Ahmed

Teaching for Black Lives (Rethinking Schools) ed. by Dyan Watson,
Jesse Hagopian and Wayne Au

Libraries, Literacy, and African American Youth (Libraries Unlimited) edited by Dr. Pauletta Brown Bracy, Sandra Hughes-Hassell and Casey H. Rawson

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KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives: Anti-Racist Resources for Children, Families, and Educators - The Brown Bookshelf

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"We who believe in freedom cannot rest." -Ella Baker Thank you so much to all who joined us for the KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives, created and coordinated by Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, and Jason Reynolds. Please share your reflections on social media with the hashtag #KidLit4BlackLives.

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Honoring African American Women from History

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Honoring African American Women from History

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Recently published books celebrating African American women and girls highlight their important contributions to the arts, activism, literacy, politics, science, and other fields too numerous to name.

Recently published books celebrating African American women highlight their important contributions to the arts, activism, literacy, politics, science, and other fields too numerous to name. The nonfiction titles below include a range of formats for K-grade 12.

DIAS, Marley. Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You. 208p. charts. further reading. photos. Scholastic. Jan. 2018. pap. $14.99. ISBN 9781338136890.
Gr 5 Up-Dias pens an eminently readable and nuanced personal narrative of her #1000BlackGirlsBooks campaign and her tips, tools, and strategies for effecting positive change in the representation of Black girls in children's literature and beyond. The work opens with Dias's poignant recollection of how Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming raised questions about why the award-winning title, and other selections by Black authors, weren't a part of her school's assigned reading. Dias's effervescent personality and style shine as she discusses her family, love of sushi, trip to Ghana, relationship to social media, and more-never underestimating the audience ("For the record, just this once, let me say: Hard things come and go, but it seems like racism always stays. There, I said it. And I'm doing all I can to change it."). The text encourages readers to find and pursue their interests, provides valuable advice on activism (including how charity and activism are not the same thing), and strongly recommends reading for knowledge and pleasure. Dias's beloved list of 1,000 books is included at the end. The eye-catching photos, empowering pull quotes, and bright pastel page borders make for a thoughtful design and will have readers returning to the book again and again. VERDICT An invaluable selection for any public and school library collection. -Jess Gafkowitz, Brooklyn Public Library

DUNBAR, Erica Armstrong & Kathleen van Cleve.Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge: George and Martha Washington's Courageous Slave Who Dared To Run Away . 256p. chron. maps. S. & S./Aladdin. Jan. 2019. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781534416178.
Gr 5 Up-This young readers edition of Dunbar's National Book Award-nominated title details the account of Ona Judge, who ran away from the household of George and Martha Washington. Born into slavery at Mount Vernon, Judge began working directly for Martha Washington by the age of 10. When the Washingtons left Mount Vernon for George's political career, Judge was chosen to make the trip north, visiting and eventually living in Pennsylvania and New York. Away from the sheltered world of Virginia, Judge encountered free black people for the first time and learned about laws such as the Gradual Abolition Act in Pennsylvania. The Washingtons went to great lengths to prevent those they enslaved from benefitting from this law. In May of 1796, then 22-year-old Judge walked out of the Washington's mansion in Philadelphia and onto the deck of a ship that would take her to New Hampshire. Although she was never able to live comfortably, she refused to go back to a life of slavery-no matter how determined George and Martha Washington were to reenslave her. This well-written story has been skillfully reconstructed from the sparse historical record available and delicately adapted for middle schoolers. Dunbar and van Cleve effectively and consistently convey the realities of being enslaved-and invite readers to empathize with Judge. VERDICT A brilliant work of U.S. history. Recommended for all collections. -Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood Public Library, MA

ROMITO, Dee.Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott . illus. by Laura Freeman. 40p. little bee. Nov. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781499807202.
K-Gr 3-Romito retells the life story of Georgia Gilmore, a woman whose pies and delicious homemade cooking helped sustain the Montgomery bus boycott. Nicknamed "the Club from Nowhere," Gilmore along with a team of women risked their jobs to build a network wherein people from the community could financially aid the boycott through the purchase of her pies (Gilmore donated her profits to the Montgomery Improvement Association). The book ends with the Supreme Court decision that segregation on buses is unconstitutional and Gilmore is shown continuing to bake-as the fight for civil rights would wage on. The text emphasizes for young readers how important Gilmore's contributions were to the civil rights movement, including her work with Martin Luther King Jr. and her testimony in court on discrimination on buses. Bold and richly colored illustrations give life to Gilmore and her iconic pies. The detailed back matter, which includes Gilmore's recipe for homemade pound cake, makes this picture book a well-rounded nonfiction read. VERDICT A winning addition to libraries that serve young readers. -Molly Dettmann, Norman North High School, OK

SCHMIDT, Gary D. So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth's Long Walk Toward Freedom . illus. by Daniel Minter. 48p. bibliog. Roaring Brook. Sept. 2018. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781626728721.
Gr 1-4-Focusing on the impact of slavery on Sojourner Truth's life and her ongoing fight to end the institution, Schmidt and Minter choose a lyrical and evocative approach to her story. Readers learn about the hardships and cruelty she endured under various masters before her walk to freedom and her legal battle to regain custody of her son. Schmidt incorporates the woman's own words as he recounts her anti-slavery speeches to crowds and her meeting with President Lincoln as she walked thousands of miles to advocate for freedom. Minter's illustrations, arresting at first glance, grow deeper and more compelling with repeated viewing. The vertical panels incorporate images such as ships crossing the ocean and slave collars. Equally striking are recurrent motifs of leaves, roots, and trees in depictions of events from Sojourner's life. Shadowy figures of people from the past, present, and future tie her struggle from the particular to the universal. Because the book omits important events such as her 1851 women's rights speech and minimizes the religious motivation for her activism and preaching, readers should also have access to other introductory biographies such as Andrea Davis Pinkney's Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride, Ann Turner's My Name Is Truth, and Anne Rockwell's Only Passing Through. -Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato VERDICT Outstanding illustrations make this a noteworthy addition to most libraries, but collections need to keep other books about Sojourner Truth to present multiple facets of her significant achievements.

SHETTERLY, Margot Lee with Winifred Conkling.Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race . illus. by Laura Freeman. 40p. chron. diags. glossary. HarperCollins/Harper. Jan. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062742469.
K-Gr 2-Shetterly introduces young readers to the inspirational and groundbreaking stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, and their once-hidden contributions to science, aeronautics, and space exploration. Shetterly expertly puts these women's achievements in their historical context: segregation, blatant sexism and racism in the workplace, the civil rights movement, and the space race. Despite the challenges these women faced, they persisted, worked hard, and put a man on the moon. In this picture book take, the text, at times, reads a bit clinical and it's occasionally difficult to distinguish one woman's characteristics from another's while reading. This is remedied with the handy time line of short profiles in the back matter. Freeman's full-color illustrations are stunning and chock-full of details, incorporating diagrams, mathematical formulas, and space motifs throughout (including the women's clothing and jewelry), enhancing the whole book. VERDICT An essential purchase for elementary school and public libraries. -Megan Kilgallen, Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn

SLADE, Suzanne. A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon. illus. by Veronica Miller Jamison. 40p. bibliog. chron. photos. Little, Brown. Mar. 2019. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780316435178.
K-Gr 3-Even as a child, Katherine Johnson loved numbers. She skipped through school, took a job as part of a team of number crunchers called "calculators," and helped figure out the trajectory of early space flights of the 1960s, even after machine computing became a part of the process. This retelling of Johnson's achievements focuses on her path as a black female mathematician. The book devotes a spread to the civil rights struggle, illustrating how people were divided about school integration; it also shows that many disagreed about whether women should work at jobs traditionally held by men. Jamison stresses how Johnson's talent for math broke both barriers. Covering much of the same ground as Helaine Becker's Counting on Katherine, the text is relatively straightforward and accessible even to listeners not yet ready for the inclusion of incorrect math problems, such as "25 ÷ 5 = 4," used as examples of how wrong some people's assumptions were. First-time illustrator Jamison relies on ink, watercolor, marker, and colored pencil to create spreads that emphasize math concepts. Often there's a faint background of the geometric images and equations shown on the end papers. Back matter includes author and artist notes about their personal connection to the subject, quotes from Johnson herself, and sources and credits. VERDICT Another appealing picture book biography of a successful woman; a strong choice for most collections. -Kathleen Isaacs, Children's Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD

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Honoring African American Women and Girls, Past and Present

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Recently published books celebrating African American women and girls highlight their important contributions to the arts, activism, literacy, politics, science, and other fields too numerous to name. Recently published books celebrating African American women highlight their important contributions to the arts, activism, literacy, politics, science, and other fields too numerous to name.

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More than 100 carefully selected lists of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators. When you find a book at this site, please purchase it here. Our titles are linked to Bookshop. A portion of your book purchase helps sustain our work. New Releases Activism and Organizing Africa Afro-Latinx American Indians Arabs […]

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Young Adult Fiction

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Young Adult Fiction | Social Justice Books

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As Grace Lin pointed out at SLJ's Day of Dialog virtual event, when she had a baby eight years ago, she couldn't find many books with characters who looked like her family. "I remember being very frustrated that I couldn't find that many baby books that featured characters like me," she said. "I couldn't find very many minority character baby books. There are so many books of animals and the ones with people tended to be white babies."

Studies show that babies under one year old recognize differences in skin color. Just like for any other age group, it's important that babies see people of color in their books. So how do we bring diverse titles to the littlest readers, when the characters in most board books are animals-if there are characters at all?

These 50 books-many of which are by #OwnVoices creators-show Black, Indigenous, and people of color learning new skills, fighting for justice, and simply living their lives-and they're all appropriate for ages 0-3. From simple images to more complex narratives, and classics to upcoming titles from Lin, Vashti Harrison, and Ibram X. Kendi, these titles can help grow your board book collection. And stay tuned to our July issue for a broader list of new recommended board books.

Abrams Appleseed. Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions. Abrams. 2017. ISBN 9781419723834.

Asim, Jabari. illus. by LeUyen Pham. LB Kids.

Whose Toes Are Those? 2019. ISBN 9780316454322.

Whose Knees Are These? 2006. ISBN 9780316735766.

Babbott-Klein, Libby. Baby Feminists. illus. by Jessica Walker. Viking. 2018. ISBN 9780451480101.

Baruzzi, Agnese. Play With Me. illus. by author. 24p. Minedition. 2019. ISBN 9789888341719.
Toddler-PreS-This ultra-simple board book featuring short, straightforward sentences ("Walk with me." "Swing with me.") is made interactive by the addition of two die-cut holes. Readers insert their fingers into the holes, their fingers working as stand-ins for characters' arms or legs. Characters include an astronaut, a juggler, a soccer player, a skateboarder, and more, all depicted in bright, flat colors. A playful addition; little ones are likely to giggle uproariously as they-or their grown-ups-wiggle and walk their fingers on each spread.-SLJ Staff

Beer, Sophie. illus. by author. Dial. 2019.

Kindness Makes Us Strong. ISBN 9781984816399.

Love Makes a Family. ISBN 9780525554226.

Brantz, Loryn. He's a Feminist Too. illus. by author. (Feminist Baby). Disney-Hyperion. 2019. ISBN 9781368022996.
Toddler-PreS-A new Feminist Baby learns social justice while teething, giggling, and dancing with his diapered friends. Brantz's rhyming text follows a brown-skinned boy as he plays with dolls, takes part in a feminist book club, and knows it's OK to cry. Bright illustrations and Feminist Baby's wide-eyed optimism make for an adorable addition to the series that dismantles toxic masculinity and reminds kids and adults that "feminism is for everyone."- Katy Hershberger, School Library Journal

Diggs, Taye. Chocolate Me! illus. by Shane W. Evans. Feiwel & Friends. 2019. ISBN 9781250207852.
Toddler-PreS-Actor Diggs's iconic ode to self-acceptance finds new life in board book format. An African American boy is mocked because of his skin tone, his hair, and his nose, but his mother reassures him: "Look in the mirror and love what you see!" Evans's beautifully chaotic, childlike illustrations convey the protagonist's angst, unease, and, finally, pride. With educators introducing conversations about microaggressions and privilege at younger and younger ages, this child-friendly and perceptive work is a must.-SLJ Staff

PreS-K-For many, the ideas of privilege and allyship are concepts that are not explicitly taught in childhood. Many people must consciously unlearn the system of beliefs imposed by parents, authority figures, and the overall dominant culture. Ewing's colorful, sunny board book takes such nebulous ideas and packages them into an easily digestible vocabulary bank for young readers. While definitions have been simplified to two sentences, Ewing doesn't avoid or ignore the far-reaching impact of these words. For example, the difference between "Gender" and "Sex" is clearly and objectively explained. She writes, "Gender is a category that describes the inside feeling of being a boy, girl, both, neither, and everything in between." Ewing defines the term sex as, "When a baby arrives, the doctor will say it's a boy or girl depending on their understanding of the baby's body. This is their sex." Each letter of the alphabet and its corresponding word is accompanied by a related image. Morgan's illustrations feature cartoon children and adults of various skin tones and physical abilities and exude joyful acceptance. VERDICT Ewing offers the tools of understanding and reciprocity in order to eradicate injustice. Highly recommended for school and public libraries and can serve as an entry point into social justice literature. -Vanessa Willoughby, School Library Journal
Check out SLJ's interview with Chana Ginelle Ewing.
The Global Fund for Children. Global Babies. Charlesbridge. 2006. ISBN 9781580891745.

Seventeen cultures are presented in cultural context with photographs showcasing babies in diverse settings.

Grover, Lorie Ann. I Love All of Me. illus. by Carolina Búzio. (Wonderful Me). Scholastic/Cartwheel. 2019. ISBN 9781338286236.
Baby-Toddler-From "wiggle toes" and "smelly nose" to "blinky eyes" and "bendy knees," this is a delightful, affirming ode to toddler parts. The smile-inducing rhymes beg to be repeated again and again, while the bold palette and cheery images heighten the book's enthusiastic tone.-SLJ Staff

Read: Discussing Race with Young Kids | First Steps

Harris, Robie. Who?: A Celebration of Babies. illus. by Natascha Rosenberg. Abrams. 2018. ISBN 9781419728341.

Harrison, Vashti. illus. by author. LB Kids.

Dream Big, Little One. 2018. ISBN 9780316475099.

Follow Your Dreams, Little One. Sept. 2020. ISBN 9780316475150.

Think Big, Little One. 2019. ISBN 9780316475136.

Holub, Joan. This Little Trailblazer: A Girl Power Primer. illus. by Daniel Roode. S. & S./Little Simon. Sept. 2017. ISBN 9781534401068.

Toddler-PreS-Ten wide-eyed women trailblazers, from Ada Lovelace to Maria Tallchief, are presented in brightly colored spreads. In larger print, a rhyming couplet gives young readers a general idea of the road each subject paved, and on the opposite page, in smaller print, more information is disclosed. The final spread asks kids how they will change the world someday, while showcasing a dozen more inspirational figures. The bottom right corner of the last page has a circle with a question mark, offering children the opportunity to see themselves as future trailblazers. An empowering collective biography for board book bins and shelves.- Shelley M. Diaz,BookOps: The New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library

hooks, bell. illus. by Chris Raschka. Little, Brown.

Be Boy Buzz. 2016. ISBN 9781484788400.

Happy to Be Nappy. 2017. ISBN 978-1484788417.

A toddler plays the universally loved game of "peek-a-boo!" with family members, friends, and the reader of the book via an attached mirror.- Lisa G. Kropp

Keats, Ezra Jack. illus. by author. Viking.

Peter's Chair. 2006. ISBN 978-0670061907.

The Snowy Day. 1996. ISBN 978-0670867332.

Whistle for Willie. 1998. ISBN 978-0670880461.

Kendi, Ibram X. Antiracist Baby. illus. by Ashley Lukashevsky. Penguin/Kokila. June 2020. ISBN 9780593110423.

Toddler-PreS-Kendi and Lukashevsky offer a beautifully designed set of guidelines for parents (and anyone, really) to practice anti-racism. This bright and welcoming board book speaks directly to new parents. The opening illustration, rendered in lush primary colors and bold lines, features a smiling baby riding in her father's baby sling as he participates in a peaceful protest. Other protestors of different ethnicities hold signs advocating for equity, climate change, and Black Lives Matter. Kendi is direct with his prose: "Babies are taught to be racist or antiracist-there's no neutrality." The text then offers nine steps to make "equity a reality." Each step is presented with a short explanation that rhymes, accompanied by more of Lukashevsky's inviting and cheerful illustrations. This excellent board book answers questions so many people are asking right now: What can I do? How can I help? Kendi's choice to speak directly to new parents in this format works quite well. His succinct, impactful prose makes for an accessible guide to anti-racism for everyone. Lukashevsky's artwork elevates the text even more with brilliant color and charming details that will inspire readers to linger on each page. VERDICT The timely and relevant anti-racist message so excellently delivered in this book makes it worthy of a place on all library shelves.- Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood P.L., MA

Nelson's illustrations of an exuberant brown-skinned, springy-haired toddler pair perfectly with the Lees's sweetly rhyming text.- Lisa G. Kropp

Lin, Grace. illus. by author. (Storytelling Math.) Charlesbridge. Oct. 2020.

Circle! Sphere! ISBN 9781623541248.

The Last Marshmallow. ISBN 9781623541262.

Up to My Knees! ISBN 9781623541231.

What Will Fit? ISBN 9781623541255.

Nagara, Innosanto. illus. by author. Triangle Square.

A is for Activist. 2013. ISBN 9781609805395.

While activism is typically a message for older audiences, this non-traditional ABC book introduces the topic to little ones.- Lisa G. Kropp

Counting on Community. 2015. ISBN 9781609806323.

Perkins, Chloe. Once Upon a World series. S. & S./Little Simon.

Cinderella. illus. by Sandra Equihua. 2016. ISBN 9781481479158.

Rapunzel. illus. by Archana Sreenivasan. 2017. ISBN 9781481490726.

Snow White. illus. by Misa Saburi. 2016. ISBN 9781481471855.

Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Pretty Brown Face. illus. by Brian Pinkney. HMH. 1997. ISBN 9780152996433.

Puck. Bookstore Babies. illus. by Violet Lemay. duoporess. 2019. ISBN 9781947458505.

Rodriguez, Patty and Ariana Stein. Lucha Libre: Anatomy - Anatomia. illus. by Citlali Reyes. Lil' Libros. 2018. ISBN 9780986109911.

Read: A Diverse Book List for the Under-Five Set

Scribens, Sunny. Baby Dream/Soñando con bebé. ISBN 978178 2857372.
Silver, Skye. Baby Play/Jugando con bebé. ISBN 9781782857365.
Wieder, Stefanie Paige. Baby Food/Comiendo con bebé. ISBN 9781782857389.
ea vol: tr. by Maria Perez. Barefoot Bks. 2019.
Baby-Toddler-Black-and-white photos of babies and their grown-ups feature prominently on every recto page of these delightful books, with text in English and Spanish on each verso. Rhymes and repeated phrases make them ideal for reading aloud ("Cuddle with me, Snug as can be/When it's time/for us to rest.... I'll sing a song/While you hum along/When it's time for us to rest."). Black, brown, white, Asian, and multiracial families are represented; the cover of Baby Play features a smiling tot with Down syndrome; and Baby Food depicts an infant nursing in the arms of her mother. A joyous and joyfully inclusive board book series, reminiscent of the close-up photography of Margaret Miller.-SLJ Staff

Smith, Monique Gray. My Heart Fills with Happiness. illus. by Julie Flett. Orca. 2016. ISBN 9781459809574.

Toddler-PreS-Joyful and tender, this board book celebrates the activities that bring gladness through family and cultural connections. On one spread, three children wait in front of the oven in a modern kitchen ("My heart fills with happiness when...I smell bannock baking in the oven."). The patterns on their clothing are echoed in the kitchen textiles, creating a sense of belonging and completeness. Flett's quietly powerful gouache and digital collage illustrations emphasize the relationships between people through small gestures and touches; the bold colors and simplified compositions increase the impact by stripping away all that is unnecessary. Other things that bring happiness include holding hands, seeing the face of a loved one, singing, drumming, feeling the sun's rays, and listening to stories. All the people appear to be indigenous, although specific groups are not mentioned. The book is dedicated to "former Indian Residential School students and their families." The author and illustrator are strongly connected to their Canadian Aboriginal communities, and the sweet family story has universal appeal. VERDICT A first purchase for all libraries.- Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN

Spiro, Ruth. Baby Loves Science series. illus. by Irene Chan. Charlesbridge. 2016-2020. Box set ISBN 9781632890351.

Van Camp, Richard. illus. by Julie Flett. Orca.

Little You. 2013. ISBN 9781459802483.

PreS-This tender celebration of babies features gentle rhymes and warm, understated illustrations. The six couplets combine direct language: "Let's all dance/let's all sing" with more poetic imagery: "Little wish/Gentle thunder." The art has the look of cut paper, with distinct lines and pleasingly curved shapes. It depicts the same child, at home and out in nature. Some scenes show the youngster alone, others with one or both parents. Eschewing the overt cuteness often seen in board books, the artist captures the toddler's joy in subtle, but tangible images, from a smiling face looking up at butterflies to the wisp of hair that blows just like the father's as the two watch fish from a canoe. The family feels real and specific, and the message ("You are the birth of everything true") will resonate with all readers.- Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

We Sang You Home. 2016. ISBN 9781459811782.

Baby-Toddler-Van Camp captures the love and joy of new parents welcoming a baby into their lives. Told from the first-person perspective of two new parents, the story highlights what they hope to give to their child, from kisses to songs, while also depicting the sense of happiness that their child gives them. The final page concludes with a simple yet candid declaration: "Welcome to the world! We love you!" The writing is minimal but has a lyrical, musical quality, as Van Camp uses poetic, metaphoric language, such as the phrases, "Our forever home is inside of you" and "Through you we are born again." As a result, a good portion of the book may go over the heads of its intended audience and will be better appreciated by parents than young readers, making it more suitable for one-on-one sharing. Flett's illustrations, made using gouache on paper and digital collage, are muted and understated, matching the tranquil tone of the text. While some of the prose might be a little too abstract for young children to fully understand, the emotions of parenthood-including feelings of love, elation, and gratitude-are certain to be conveyed to them by the parents who share this tale with them. VERDICT A lovely picture book that will resonate with parents and show young readers the profound, positive impact they have on their parents' lives.- Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

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As Grace Lin pointed out at SLJ's Day of Dialog virtual event, when she had a baby eight years ago, she couldn't find many books with characters who looked like her family. "I remember being very frustrated that I couldn't find that many baby books that featured characters like me," she said.

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A Teacher Tweeted Her Favorite Children's Books On Racism And It Went Viral

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A Teacher Tweeted Her Favorite Children's Books On Racism And It Went Viral

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If you love a kid, these books are for them.

Brittany Smith, 27, is an inclusive pre-kindergarten teacher from New Jersey.

On Monday, Brittany tweeted a thread of great children's books that discuss race and racism, and it quickly went viral, with nearly 200,000 retweets.

Brittany added, "Given today's climate and our fight for justice, I want parents, teachers, grandparents, aunts/uncles, and anyone who regularly comes in contact with children to be aware there are resources that can help start the conversations of race and racism. There's a misconception that they're too young and don't understand, but they do! They just don't always have the tools to express it."

Here are the books Brittany recommended:

Brittany added, "These are not the only books available to us! There are so many others out there!" Many people added other terrific books - like Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry - in the replies.

this discusses our community and relationship with hair. Idk how I forgot to post this because I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Thank you to whoever added this in a comment, I can't find your handle, I'm sorry! 😭

Do you have a favorite book for kids or teenagers that discusses race or racism that isn't mentioned here? Let us know in the comments!

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This Teacher's List Of Children's Books That Discuss Race And Racism Has Gone Viral

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If you love a kid, these books are for them. Brittany Smith, 27, is an inclusive pre-kindergarten teacher from New Jersey. On Monday, Brittany tweeted a thread of great children's books that discuss race and racism, and it quickly went viral, with nearly 200,000 retweets.