If you are looking ways to diversify your child’s bookshelf, we are here to help and learn with you. A few years ago, when my children noticed that their skin color was a different color than some of their friends and family members, I made a more intentional effort to diversify their reading as well. Reading is a great way to spark deeper conversations and learn about viewpoints that are different than our own. It also happened to be winter, and we were headed to the library, a weekly habit of ours, for new books. When we arrived at the Oconomowoc library, the children’s area had books set out in February for Black History month. We picked a few of the books set out on display and went home to learn. We did this again in March for Women’s History month. One valuable thing we learned was that it is important to learn about different people, cultures, and perspectives all year long.
"The whole world opened up to me when I learned to read”
Books to Diversify your Child's Bookshelf
In the past few weeks, we have done even more learning and listening. The following list was compiled by local Black mother Ashley H. Ashley has been instrumental in communicating with Lake Country Family Fun, sharing resources and more! This book list that she compiled is written and illustrated by a diverse group of authors and artists. Some books are about Black culture, some are about American culture in general, some are about the joys of childhood, some are about the struggles of growing up, some are about kindness. Thank you Ashley for compiling this list for Lake Country Family Fun readers!
There are additional links below the list from Lisa B. from Books and Company. When possible, we’d encourage you to shop small and reach out to your local bookseller to purchase these books or head to your local library to read more as well. Some of the following books may be on back order due to their popularity. *Books and Company in Oconomowoc can order books that they don’t have in stock, as long as they are in print and available for order.
Board Books
Rain Feet by Angela Johnson
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
Fiesta by Ginger Foglesong
I Can Do It Too by Karen Baicker
The Babies and Doggies Book by John & Molly
Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
More More More Said the Baby by Vera B Williams
Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang
Peekaboo Morning by Rachel Isadora
Ten Tiny Babies by Karen Katz
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Lottie Paris Lives Here by Angela Johnson
Little You by Richard Van Camp
Global Baby Boys by Maya Ajmera
Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Goodnight New York City by Adam Gamble
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
Whose Toes Are Those by Jabari Asim
Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children (**Ashley’s favorite for her toddler)
Children’s Books
Thank You Omu! by Oge Mora
Saturday by Oge Mora
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
The Story of Harriet Tubman by Christine Platt
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women around the World by Vashti Harrison
Little legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashati Harrison
Something Happened in our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano, and Marietta Collins
The Ana & Andrew series by Christine Platt
Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness (Ordinary Terrible Things) by
Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard
Let’s Talk about Race by Julius Lester
Race Cars by Jenny Devenny
Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon by Kelly Starling Lyons
Say Her Name by Zetta Elliott
The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by John Perra
Bread for Words: A Frederick Douglass Story by Shana Keller
Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina by Lea Lyon and Alexandria LaFaye
This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World by Matt LaMothe (**Ashley’s favorite with her daughter)
Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace by Jen Cullerton Johnson
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Welcome to the Party by Gabrielle Union
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
Dream Big Little One by Vashti Harrison
Grandmas Tiny House by JaNay Brown-Wood
Addtional anti-Racist resources
If you are looking for even more books to read and enjoy with your children, here are some resources from Books and Company in Oconomowoc.
Anti-Racist Reading List for Kids and Teens
Representation Reading List for Kids and Teens
Additional resources published on Lake Country Family Fun and/or our social media:
Acceptance in 2020 by Shweta Panda
10 Tips for Teaching your Kids about Race
How I am Learning to be an Ally for my Children of Color
CNN & Sesame Street: Hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Racism
Representation Matters: 35 Black Kids TV Shows That You Can Watch Right Now
How White Parents Can Talk to their Kids about Race
29 Kids Books that Tackle Racism for a Variety of Ages
I love this! Thank you for always keeping an open mind and sharing the best resources around for families in the lake country area:)
Awe, you are so welcome!! Thank you for compiling this list of books!