Happy Read Across America Week! Read Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. To celebrate this week and the theme of “a nation of diverse readers,” I’m sharing a few of my favorite children’s books.
As a parent, it’s important to my family that our children grow up reading and that the books we read are reflective of the world, not just our own perspective. I’ve found it helpful to follow accounts on social media like We Need Diverse Books – when they got started 10 years ago, “there were more children's books published featuring talking animals than books about people of color.” While a lot of progress has been made in the past decade, there’s still room to grow in making sure that everyone sees themselves reflected and represented in kids’ books.
Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder, illustrated by the author
Did my kiddos get some, “Tee hee, I see underwear!” giggles about this book? They sure did. But they got past it and more importantly, the story and the illustrations that go with it helped send home the point that all bodies are good bodies. We all look different and isn’t that cool?! How boring would it be if we all looked the same, right?
I found this book really helpful in our family conversations about body acceptance and confidence and also as a great way to normalize that there are all types of diverse bodies in this world – some have different skin tones, some are big, small, short, tall, some have freckles, some have birthmarks, some use a wheelchair or a prosthetic limb, some have lots of hair, some have no hair!
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët
As my second grader has learned about historical figures in school, he often wants to keep talking about them and learn more. Recently, we’ve borrowed books about Martin Luther King Jr., Ruby Bridges, Frida Khalo and Malala Yousafzai.
We loved Malala’s Magic Pencil and the way that it connected Malala’s dreams as an everyday girl to the big changes she was able to make in the world. I was familiar with Malala’s story but really appreciated this kid-friendly retelling from her perspective.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade
“Mom! This book won the Caldecott! Look at the gold medal!” Ever since learning about the ‘gold medal’ books from their school librarian, my kids are on the lookout for covers with that tell-tale award.
For those that aren’t familiar, the Caldecott Medal is awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children (part of the American Library Association), “to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.”
We Are Water Protectors is a beautifully illustrated book about the call to protect Earth’s precious natural resources, inspired by Indigenous people’s movements to fight for environmental justice.
The Buried Bones Mystery (Clubhouse Mysteries series) by Sharon M. Draper, illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson
If you know an early chapter book reader who likes The Magic Tree House series, you’ll like the vibe of the Clubhouse Mysteries. My son has enjoyed reading about Ziggy and his friends Rico, Rashawn and Jerome who call themselves the Black Dinosaurs and the mysteries they explore.
The second book in the series is about the Underground Railroad, which led to an introduction for my then-7-year-old to conversations around slavery in U.S. history and that no, the Underground Railroad was not in fact underground nor a train.
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, illustrated by the author
“Someday we will become something we haven’t even yet imagined.”
What a stunning picture book! Dreamers tells the story of a mother and son coming to America and the things they learned along the way, including discovering the library and the books that became “our language…our home…our lives.”
If you’re like me, you might get a little teary-eyed reading this one!
The Crossover & Booked (graphics novels) by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile
Am I a sports girlie? No, I’m not. Are both of my children now interested in all the sports? Yes, they are. So, I’m learning quite a bit about sports now in my role as mom. They love to read fiction about playing sports and nonfiction about famous athletes when they’re not at games or practices for their various activities.
I can’t wait to share these books with my kids when they’re a little older. Kwame Alexander’s writing style is so lyrical and the graphic novel versions of his books tell the stories in a cool, engaging way.
Visit the Read Across America site for more book recs and resources and download the Libby app to celebrate reading this week and all year round.
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