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A contemporary society is defined as a setting characterized by technological innovation and increasing human interconnection and globalization. It brings about changes and issues related to population/life expectancy, increasing human  interconnection, social tension, conflicts, literacy and gender equality.

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CLICK HERE to go to the March 8, 2020 NY Times Bestseller List for Children!

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The books on the NY Bestsellers List for Children for March 8, 2020, mirror what is occurring in contemporary society because they cover the topics of racial equality and justice.  They also cover self-esteem, self-acceptance, and encouragement for little girls. Right now, we are experiencing a lot of racial and social tension, gender equality and increased human interconnection.

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We have so much going on in our world, I believe kids need to know that the future holds so many positive possibilities! It WILL get better! I feel that these books are needed to give kids hope about their future. The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin has been on the Bestsellers List for 222 Weeks! It celebrates future possibilities! It lets kids know that they can do be anything that they want. With everything currently going in our society, kids need to know the sky is the limit when wanting to reach their dreams. It also covers love and acceptance which again is a big topic in our society right now. Be you! I think The Wonderful Things You Will Be has remained on the list the longest because people of all ages, color and backgrounds could use these encouraging words. With all the political feuds, racial and social tension, we all could use some optimism that it will get better and it is never too late to attain a new goal and reach for the sky!

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I noticed that the children's books, Hair Love (M. Cherry), The Undefeated (K. Alexander), I Am Enough (G. Byers) that discuss race and celebrate African American resilience, beauty and strength went up in rank according to the Bestsellers Symbol Key. The current state of our country's race relations is bad. Currently, a lot of African Americans and other minorities see disadvantages and they feel that African Americans do not have the same equal rights and privileges as Whites. For example, Blacks encounters with cops are seen as more deadly when compared to a White suspect having that same encounter with a cop without death or injuries.  Unarmed African Americans have been killed by cops and it is causing uproar and protesting in our country.
Some Blacks also feel that their features are not celebrated or accepted unless the trend is made popular by Whites. This includes skin shades and hairstyles. I can see why books like Hair love and I Am Enough are written for kids. It is written so that they can see the beauty of their natural hair, facial features and self-esteem without it being "popular" or a current trend. Kids should see characters in books that look like them and experience some of the same cultural norms and traditions as them.

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With increased human interconnection, more people are connected. Many are judging and comparing themselves against what they view online. A lot of people, especially young girls, struggle with self-esteem, self-love and self-acceptance. Authors are writing and discussing this topic because so many girls need to read about appreciating who they are! Starting young, this will help nurture their growth, development and acceptance. Dear Girl written by Amy Krouse and Paris Rosenthal shares letters of affirmation and encouragement for young girls. It Has been on the Bestseller List for 29 weeks. Self-esteem and self-love is a huge topic right now so I can understand the popularity of this book.

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CLICK HERE to view the short film of Hair Love. Hair Love is a book written by Matthew A. Cherry. It is was also made into a short film by Sony and won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. The film is about an African American dad who is attempting to style his young daughter Zuri's hair for the first time. This was a huge headline last year because the book celebrated African American's hair. It pointed out the beauty of their hair texture and versatility. A lot of celebrities stood behind the book and promoted its message. This was a very popular as African Americans have pointed out that in our society their natural hair is not accepted in a lot of workplaces. There were headlines of African Americans speaking out on how they were fired or told their hairstyle was not professional and out of dress code. This book was such a huge celebration for African Americans...especially the kids. Matthew Cherry also used the Oscars to bring a young man,

Deandre Arnold, here from Texas, who was suspended from school over his dreadlocks that he refused to cut. It was a popular headline here in Texas and again addressed the issue of African American hairstyles seen as unprofessional in our society. Arnold’s story brought national attention and prompted the Texas Legislative Black Caucus to work up a bill that would ban discrimination based on hair textures and styles commonly associated with race.