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

Challenging Times

Things have changed. Everyone is adapting to a new normal. Parents and educators are trying to figure out how to best keep children engaged, calm, and open to learning. There are no easy answers.

Parents who normally try to limit "screen  time" for their young children are struggling. As they juggle child care, work from home, and all the new and intense emotions that accompany a pandemic, this is a time to be flexible.

These are extreme times.

Choose the best options you can for your child. There are no easy answers. We are all in this together.

Read From the Beginning

Read to your infant. It is never too early to start reading aloud. Will your baby understand the story you read? Likely not. But what you are doing is far more important. You are introducing your child to a lifetime filled with the joy and love of reading.

Reading aloud, while snuggling with your baby, provides a time to be engaged in a special experience, one of closeness and togetherness. When you read aloud, you are slowing down from the busyness of life, focusing your energy, creating a loving bond, and opening the door for your child to the pleasures and treasures that books provide.

Read for Support

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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.

Letters, We Get Letters . . .

In this age of digital communication, isn't it kind of wonderful to receive a letter now and again–real mail? A piece that was intentionally written, stamped, and mailed to you is special. Don't let that  thought get away.

Even young children enjoy receiving a communication addressed specifically to them. So, think about writing to the young children you know, or asking people to write to your child. There is a thrill to getting a hand-addressed note; it says "I care."

All Hands on Book!

Some children are tactile learners—they learn by touching and feeling. This is your child if you are constantly wiping off finger prints from every surface in your home. Go with it. Let your child absorb the feel of a book, the pleasure of turning a page. 

Try not to be upset if your child’s eager fingers take their toll on a book. Tape the page. And then move on. (Invest in lots of invisible tape so you have it on hand.) A book is not a museum piece, but a favorite object and is meant to be used. If your child is a hands-on learner, let it be. However, if your child is intentionally acting in a destructive way toward a book, you will want to point out that books deserve respect.  

If a book is a little worse for wear at the hands of an enthusiastic reader, consider it a good thing. Nearly all books are replaceable, but your child’s enthusiasm is priceless.

Coming Soon: World Read Aloud Day!

World Read About Day is an exciting collaboration between LitWorld, the nonprofit organization devoted to promoting literacy worldwide, and the publisher, Scholastic. Read about this exciting upcoming event. Find out how you can participate on February 1.

Here is the link:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/litworld-and-scholastic-announce-world-read-aloud-day-2018-and-a-special-collaboration-with-harry-potter-book-night-300587424.html?tc=eml_cleartime