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Seven Powerful Children's Books That Promote Diversity

by Leah Scott on 2021-04-02T10:00:00-04:00 in Primary Education, Reader's Advisory, UMU Libraries | 0 Comments

 

We’ve all read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Goodnight Moon, and The Cat in the Hat.  While those books are certainly worthy best-sellers, this International Children’s Book Day, let’s focus on the new classics!  Here are seven from the Curriculum Resource Center for children of all backgrounds:

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James

Winner of the Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King awards, Crown celebrates the importance of young Black boys and their haircare as a key part of the Black cultural experience.

 

Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat

Drawn Together features a young, English-speaking boy and his Thai-speaking grandfather, who find common ground in their mutual love of art.

 

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly with Winifred Conkling, Illustrated by Laura Freeman

The picture book version of the New York Times’ best-seller introduces young readers to the inspiring Black female mathematicians, whose calculations got us to the moon!

 

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Winner of the Pura Belpré award, this autobiographical account of a young immigrant mother shows the importance of books and libraries for all.

 

The Princess in Black by Shannon & Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

No damsels in distress here!  The first of a series, The Princess in Black explores nontraditional gender roles within children’s literature by making the princess protagonist her own protector.

 

Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

 

Speaking of gender, this Stonewall award winner uses mermaids as a symbol for gender expression.  The shining moment?  When Julián’s abuela accepts him as he is.

 

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts

Ada is a young Black girl, interested in STEM.  After making a few adjustments to her sometimes-destructive process, her tenacious pursuit of knowledge is supported by her family.

 

For more information about these and other books, visit the CRC’s libguide or stop in and see us!


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