Teaching children early can help to create a better more “woke” generation
It has long been time, but it is never too late to begin to educate ourselves about the injustice and racism that African Americans and people of color face (especially if coming from a place of privilege).
The murder of George Floyd has created a national outrage with Black Lives Matter protests happening all across the globe. As yet another person of color has been killed at the hands of police officers there has been an uproar and a demand that a conversation about racism be had. And those that have experienced/witnessed injustice and racism as well as the family members that have lost loved ones – need and deserve a change.
Yet the heavy topic of discrimination and racism may feel like it is difficult to know where to start, with many parents struggling to find the right words to help their youth understand what is going on and what they should do about it.
We have curated a list of children’s book with a small summary from the publisher and additional information on where to purchase if interested. These texts can aid in educating your child from a young age about the history of racism and discrimination, as well as equip them with knowledge and inspire them with hopes for a better and more equal future. For a list of more titles of anti-racist children’s books, see link.
Woke: A Young Poet’s Guide to Justice is a collection of poems to inspire kids to stay woke and become a new generation of activists. Historically poets have been on the forefront of social movements. Woke is a collection of poems by women that reflects the joy and passion in the fight for social justice, tackling topics from discrimination to empathy, and acceptance to speaking out. With Theodore Taylor’s bright, emotional art, and writing from Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, kids will be inspired to create their own art and poems to express how they see justice and injustice. With a foreword by best-selling author Jason Reynolds. Click to see “Woke” also available on Amazon and Walmart.
From the National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist comes a fresh new board book that empowers parents and children to uproot racism in our society and in ourselves.Take your first steps with Antiracist Baby! Or rather, follow Antiracist Baby‘s nine easy steps for building a more equitable world. With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society. Click to see “Antiracist Baby” also available on Amazon and Walmart.
With this inspiring and brightly illustrated guide to power, learn about the different types of power, what it means to have power, and what you can do with your own power to create positive change in the world, no matter who or how old you are. What makes you the boss of me? What makes a king a king, or a queen a queen? Why can some people vote for their leaders, but other people can’t? Does having lots of money make you powerful? Why are there fewer female scientists, leaders, and artists than men in history books? These are things that kids wonder about. The Power Book answers these and other questions in a relatable way for young people, including thought-provoking discussions on challenging topics, like war, bullying, racism, sexism, and homophobia. You will gain an understanding of your place in your family, your school, and the world, and will discover ways in which you can use your own power to shape the future. Click to see “The Power Book” also available on Amazon and Walmart.
A New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards picture book winner! This is a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another–from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo. This is the perfect gift for mothers and daughters, baby showers, and graduation. We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.Plus don’t miss I Believe I Can–the next beautiful picture celebrating self-esteem from Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo! Click to see “I Am Enough“, also available on Amazon.
Who are you? What is racism? Where does it come from? Why does it exist? What can you do to disrupt it? Learn about social identities, the history of racism and resistance against it, and how you can use your anti-racist lens and voice to move the world toward equity and liberation. “In a racist society, it’s not enough to be non-racist–we must be ANTI-RACIST.” –Angela Davis. Gain a deeper understanding of your anti-racist self as you progress through 20 chapters that spark introspection, reveal the origins of racism that we are still experiencing, and give you the courage and power to undo it. Each chapter builds on the previous one as you learn more about yourself and racial oppression. 20 activities get you thinking and help you grow with the knowledge. All you need is a pen and paper. Click to see “This Book is Anti-Racist“, also available on Amazon.
A is for Activist is an ABC board book written and illustrated for the next generation of progressives: families who want their kids to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism, environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and everything else that activists believe in and fight for. The alliteration, rhyming, and vibrant illustrations make the book exciting for children, while the issues it brings up resonate with their parents’ values of community, equality, and justice. This engaging little book carries huge messages as it inspires hope for the future, and calls children to action while teaching them a love for books. Click to see “A is for Activist” also available on Amazon.