Reading to Eradicate Racism

Yesterday my daughter asked me about books that I could recommend for my nearly four-year-old granddaughter that would be helpful for addressing racism. My response was that, for a very young child, the first thing to keep in mind is to offer books that normalize diversity.

Previous generations, including mine, had books that primarily featured white people— families, children, and friends. So that became the norm. Other people were just that ... other.

Thankfully, publishers, authors, educators have woken up to the need to populate children’s books with a range of characters. One significant effect is to help children who are members of minority groups to identify with the characters on the pages. Another effect is to “normalize” the presence of a range of people. When young children see the pages of their books populated with all kinds of people—Black, Brown, white, in a wheelchair, and so on—they internalize the notion that there is not one “type” of person that is the norm.

The following are some books that I am very familiar with because I have incorporated them into literacy programs that I have developed for Scholastic Inc.  These books are populated with diverse human characters.

All Kinds of Friends by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly

Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers

A Good Night Walk by Elisha Cooper

Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin

I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith

Lola Reads to Leo by Anna McQuinn

Ming Goes to School by Deirdre Sullivan

One Family by George Shannon

One Love by Cedelia Marley

One World, One Day, by Barbara Kerley

The Paper Crane by Molly Bang

Soup Day by Melissa Iwai

You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith

Read for Support

-->

Targeted reading can help your preschooler deal with a new situation. For example, books about starting preschool can help you get your child prepared for that highly anticipated experience. Reading a book about a new baby can be a starting point for talking about how life will change when a sibling arrives.

Do an Internet search or ask a children’s librarian to help you find books that address a situation that might be impacting your child. Whether the book is fiction or nonfiction, use it to ask your child questions about how she is feeling about the upcoming situation. Likewise it may stimulate your child to ask questions of her own.

Laughing Out Loud

For some children, humor is the key to hooking them into reading. A silly book allows them to let go and laugh.  

Keep in mind that humor for preschooler may not even seem so funny to you. But appreciate it for what it offers your child. (If you get in a silly mood, you might even have a good time . . .) Some writers for this age group can really zero in on what gets to a preschooler, and their writing strikes the right chord.

Humor is also a good way to engage you child in a discussion about a topic or issue. If your child is dealing with a sibling or school issue, or even a falling-down or food-aversion period, laughing at a character going through something similar can put it in perspective and give your child some release.

Become an Expert!

Have you noticed a topic or theme that your child is passionate about? It might be princesses or earth movers or dinosaurs. Start a little “collection.” Go to the library or purchase books on this “topic.” (If you elect to buy books, keep the books about that topic together on a shelf. It is a way to encourage the idea of organizing things that go together.)

Your child is discovering that reading can open doors to learning more and more about his or her interests. Becoming an expert will make him or her feel excited about learning and also provide a purpose for your reading together. 

Summer Reading . . .

This one takes a little advance planning. Before the summer break, ask your child’s preschool for a list of books that will be read in class in the next year. Over the summer, read some of them with your child.

That summertime experience makes the books familiar and gives your child a little head start. Many preschoolers are caught between taking steps into the unknown and holding onto what is comfortable. Making the adjustment to school—especially if it is a new school or unfamiliar teacher—can be a challenge. So if your child “knows” a book she will feel comfortable in the reading setting. She may even share with her teacher or classmates some of the routines you and she have enjoyed, or your discussion about the book, or even tell the story of how she got the book. (Was it it a surprise?) The book experience can create a new and positive connection to the school and help put her at ease. 

50 Books to Share

In case you are looking for some inspiration, here is a wonderful list of read-aloud suggestions . . . plenty of books to take you and your young child through years and years of reading joy!

http://flavorwire.com/416006/50-books-every-parent-should-read-to-their-child/view-all

Ready for a Road Trip?

Planning a family vacation? Traveling—by plane, train, bus, or car—can mean long delays. And while you can’t do anything about traffic and long wait times, a little forethought can improve the situation.

Don’t forget to pack a bag of books for your preschooler. It might be good to pack some of your child’s favorites, and toss in some new books for a surprise. If possible, ahead of time, seek out books about the place you are going or the mode of transportation you are taking. 

If you have a bag of books by your side, your child will be more patient and engaged. That will make any delay time will go faster. 

From Wherever, With Love

If you are taking a trip for business or pleasure and are in the habit of bringing back a souvenir for your child, here is a thought: 

Bypass the toy. 

Skip the t-shirt.

Choose a book instead. 

It can be a book that is representative of your destination. (You can even cheat and buy the book ahead of time and stash it at home.) Then, as you read the book with your child and point out places you visited, she can picture you there.

If you do a travel a lot, this is a terrific way to build a library. (And if your travel takes you to far-flung shores, the resulting collection might even be exotic.)  

However, the big takeaway here is that you are sending a message . . .  you were thinking about your child, missing and loving her, and you chose a book as a token of your affection. 

Making it a book sends the message that books are a valued gift and a sign of your love. You are strengthening that connection between loving and reading when you choose a book.

Thumbs Up? Thumbs Down?

Encourage your young child to express opinions about the books he reads. If he loves a particular book, probe a little to see what he liked. Was it the amazing pictures? The familiarity of the setting? A character just like him?  

And . . . just like you, he won't love every book he encounters. Let him know that it's fine to feel that way--that you are interested in why he didn't like a particular book. Were the pictures boring?  Was the book too scary? Was it too long?

You may need to help him find ways to express his opinions. Even if he does not have the vocabulary to describe what he is feeling, you can help him formulate his ideas. He will begin to develop that vocabulary over time.

Ask questions to get the ideas flowing. You are teaching your preschooler that his opinions matter. 

For LOL

For some children, humor is the key to hooking them into reading. A silly book allows children to let go and laugh. Humor is also a good way to engage you child in a discussion about a topic or issue. If your child is dealing with a sibling or school issue, or even a falling-down period, laughing at a character going through something similar can put it in perspective and give your child some release.

And keep in mind that humor for your preschooler may not even seem so funny to you. Clearly your sense of humor has evolved. But appreciate silliness for what it offers your child. And, if you get in a silly mood, you are guaranteed to have a good time yourself. 

eBooks?

So . . . I am often asked: What about eBooks for preschoolers? Is that OK? 

I think they are great. My opinion is that if your child is engaged with words and pictures and a storyline, that is terrific.  Whether they are turning pages or swiping a finger the important thing is that they are reading or being read to.

However, that being said . . . the other very, very important ingredient to those early literacy experiences is the intimacy. It is the togetherness, the reading to each other, the shared laughter.  You want your young child to associate reading with closeness and warmth. So be sure to stick around. Don't just hand your child a device and assume she is self-sufficient. Share the book, maintain that closeness, read together.

Halloween Reading: Picture Books!

Here is one of my favorite book lists, and I offer it just in time for Halloween. If you are concerned about Halloween books being too scary for your preschooler, this list of picture books may be just what you need. The reviewer is a mom, and she has annotated each book so you can get a sense of whether it sounds right for your child. Here is the link:

http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/The-Best-Picture-Books-about-Not-So-Scary-Monsters/72

Listen to Books

Some children actually learn better by listening than by looking at something. It is just the way they learn. While a parent’s familiar voice is irreplaceable, hearing the words read by an actor or actress can bring a story to life in a different way. Your public library may have books on CDs that that you can borrow. Try out new books this way or enjoy listening to familiar books on audio. Listening to a book on tape in the car can also make the ride a more pleasant experience for all.

Road Trip!

Are you planning to take family trip by car? Before you leave, stop at your public library and check out some audio books. The children's librarian may have suggestions for you. You might choose books that you know your young child enjoys and give her the opportunity to hear the story read by another person. Or try to find other books by her favorite authors. Or discover some completely new books. Audio books can make a long car trip into a pleasant journey for all!

Travel Souvenirs

If you travel for business or even if you are taking a vacation that does not include your preschooler, it is likely that you think about bringing home a gift for your child. Make it a book. If you can find a book about the place you visited, so much the better. (In fact, you can even purchase it ahead of time . . . ) And while you are away, pick up a postcard of your travel destination to use as a bookmark at home. Bringing home a book sends your child the message that you thought about him while you were away. It also communicates to him that you consider the giving of a book to be a loving gesture.

Not-So-Scary Monster Books

This is in just in time for Halloween. If you are concerned about Halloween books being too scary for your preschooler, here is a list of picture books that may be just right. The reviewer is a mom. Here is the link:

http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/The-Best-Picture-Books-about-Not-So-Scary-Monsters/72

A Digital Library at Your Fingertips

I recently learned about an exciting new site that lets you choose from a wide variety of of books for your child. It is an online digital library. The way it works is you buy a library card. You can buy one for only $1.99 per month if you just want to try it out. (And in fact there is a coupon right now for a free month -long trial.) Then you and your child can enjoy reading from a wide selection of titles or read the same book over and over. Full disclosure: I love books and the feel of them, as well as the experience of turning pages. I believe that there will always be "real" books. However, that being said, there is no reason to miss out on the excitement, advantages, and fun of electronic books. Also your child will, if she has not already, be reading books and having content delivered electronically at school. It looks as if you can choose from lots wonderful books to enjoy with your child. And there are descriptions and previews to help you select appropriate books, as well as reviews. The site is exceptionally parent-friendly.

Check out this new site. I am planning to . . . often! http://www.magicblox.com

Fall Is Here

At last, fall is here and summer is officially over--at least according to the calendar. As fall arrives it can be fun to read about seasonal changes. Check out your local library and bookstores for books about the effects of the changing season, such as cooler temperatures, leaves turning colors, patterns in the sky. Seek out books about foods that are associated with the cooler weather, such as apples, pears, pumpkins (more on those later for sure!), and cider. If your region is less affected by these changes your child might still enjoy reading about the wonders of changing seasons that other areas experience.

Unexpected Choices

You have probably read about what to look for in books for your preschooler. And there is no shortage of ideas--including ones I have suggested in this blog. However, you might be surprised to find that your child's attention is captured by a book that is not at all what you expected. She might be captivated by a book of technical drawings or diagrams, a catalog of clothing or camping equipment, or a gardening how-to book. You may dream that she is headed for a career as an engineer or fashion designer or master gardener. In fact, she might not be able to tell you what intrigues her. If she is feeling talkative, ask her to describe what she sees and what she likes to look at. Talk with her about the contents of the pages. Or just let her peruse the pages and enjoy herself. She is learning about something and her world is expanding.

Choices, Choices, Choices

With so many choices available, sometimes it is hard to know what to look for in a book for your preschooler. I just came across a list of criteria that can help guide your selections.

Check out this article: http://www.literacyconnections.com/blog/choosing-books-preschoolers-0