Exploring Inclusive Books - For Kids

Here are some ways you can read, watch, and listen to books written by Black authors and continue to build your child’s positive racial identity.

Let’s read….

You Matter - PBS Read Along with Christian Robinson

Author Christian Robinson reads his book that reminds us even when we don’t feel like we matter, we do!

Let’s watch…

Bookmarks on Netflix

Your favorite black actors, dancers, musicians, and more read beloved children's books featuring black voices. 

If you don't have Netflix, click here to access the YouTube playlist of Bookmarks episodes.

Let’s listen to…

“I Like Myself” by Karen Beaumont

One of our favorite books at Trails, I Like Myself, is full of positive affirmations to say with your child when they notice their unique qualities. 

"I like myself because I'm me, there's no one else I'd rather be!"

Which of these stories did your family like the most? Have any suggestions for other fun ways to read books by Black authors? Let us know in the comments below!

Exploring Inclusive Books - For Grownups

Interested in learning more about how representation and inclusion affects children’s development? Or how other parents have noticed the impact on their children? Take a look at some of our recommendations for exploring this topic.

Let’s read…

“Talking to Kids About Racism Early and Often” - New York Times

How can we use books to help children interpret what’s going on around them? This article discusses the importance of these opportunities and why we have to start at the preschool age.

Let’s watch…

Why We Need Diverse Children’s Books

Dad Jerry talks about what it was like to hear his daughter say she didn't want to be Chinese and how he used books to help her create a positive racial identity for herself. 

Let’s listen to…

A Is For Afrocentric -

The Longest Shortest Time/The Nod

Parents Eric and Carla talk about how their struggle with black representation and what they learned about babies and toddlers understanding race led them to sending their daughter, Eve, to an Afrocentric preschool. 

Which of these links did you find the most interesting? Have suggestions of other resources about the importance of inclusive books? Let us know in the comments below!

How Inclusive Materials Affect Development

Because our students are so young, they’re primarily using images from toys, books, and media to learn about different types of people and communities.

These choices not only have a huge impact on how children see others, but also how they understand themselves. Children as young as 3-6 months have been shown to notice race, and additionally, notice when someone’s race is different from their own.

It's important for children to learn that all kinds of people can be kind, smart, brave, and talented. 

Unfortunately, our world is filled with negative stereotypes about Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) that children are absorbing. We may be able to distinguish between something stereotypical and something authentic, but our children absorb all examples with equal importance when building their view of the world. Especially for children who cannot use words yet, their toys and books help us to communicate important values of antiracism, respect, and kindness. 

We want all children to have experiences that help them build a positive racial identity. 

When a child has a positive racial identity, it means that they understand unique characteristics of themselves and others, and then celebrate those differences with kindness and empathy. Usually, when race is explained to children, we tell them it doesn’t matter “if people are white, black, green, or purple: we should treat everyone the same.” But we don’t have purple people in real life - and if we did, they would probably have an interesting history and culture!

There are real, meaningful differences that affect our experiences. which means we are not all treated fairly. When our children notice this happening, we can help them interpret what's going on by acknowledging those differences. Incorporating all kinds of identities into their toys, books, and media can give children examples for celebrating their own identity, speaking up for others, and treating everyone fairly. 

Thinking about adding some new reads to your child’s bookshelf?

Our Trails Favorites and Where To Find Them

Looking to add some new stories to your bookshelf? Here are some recommendations of books for children 0-5 featuring BIPOC characters and non-English languages. Scroll to the bottom for great Black-owned businesses to purchase them from!

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Book Recommendations

Rain! By Linda Ashman: This favorite of the Chickadee classroom follows two very different folks trying to find some joy on a rainy day!

One, Two, Three Dim Sum by Rich Lo: Our chickadees have been counting tasty treats in english and mandarin with this read!

Love makes a family by sophia beer: Our Robin classroom loves this story that peeks into all kinds of families doing fun activities together.

Baby Botanist by Dr. Laura Gehl & Daniel Wiseman: with summer almost over, our robins have had lots of Questions about plants and flowers that baby botanist is ready to answer!

i am so brave by stephen krensky: The world can be full of scary new things! But the Cardinal classroom knows they can face anything with this favorite story.

Kindness makes us strong by sophia beer: The cardinals also love this story about all of the ways we can show our friends kindness.

my mommy medicine by edwidge danticat: when you’re not feeling great, sometimes all you need is some special love from mommy. this cozy read is a goldfinch favorite!

the skin you live in by michael tyler: The goldfinches love this story that reminds us to celebrate all the different and beautiful ways that we look like.

Sofia valdez, future prez by andrea beaty: the mallards love this story where we follow sofia valdez all the way to city hall!

Going Up! by Sherry J. Lee: Olive and her neighbors all gather in the elevator to head up to her birthday party in this Mallard favorite!

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Where To Buy Them

• Kido

  We purchased a lot of our new board books from Kido this summer and loved them! They have great collections of books sorted by age group, as well as toys, clothes, and outerwear. We are also big fans of the beautiful packaging that our orders come in!

• Semicolon Bookstore

  Semicolon has a huge selection for children, as well as adults. If you are interested in having electronic versions of any of your reads, they also have the option of purchasing audiobooks or e-books through Bookshop, where your purchase helps support independent, local bookstores.

• Ashay by the Bay

  Ashay by the Bay has multiple collections for various age groups, as well as collections for specific nonfiction interests like sports, science, and coloring books!

• The Black Toy Store

  The Black Toy Store has a great selection of books, but also toys, puzzles, games, and art materials intended to help all children see themselves in their toys.

Have a suggestion of one of your child’s favorite books or a great black owned business to buy them from? Let us know in a comment below!

How To Create A More Inclusive Bookshelf for Your Child

Having inclusive books and materials for your child is vital in helping them foster a positive racial identity and model empathy and respect for others. While there are many fantastic choices out there, it’s also important to consider what messages your child may receive from singular books or your collection as a whole. Take a look at the questions below to brainstorm what your bookshelf might need!

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Do your books feature BIPOC children in various contexts or only include stories centering around their race?
We want to offer students books that acknowledge their racial experiences and foster a positive racial identity. However, we also want to represent them in books that are not about race to show they belong and are welcome in all spaces and stories. Try to find a good balance that includes the best of both types,

Are there more animals than BIPOC in your child’s collection of toys and books? 
The University of Wisconsin’s Cooperative Children’s Book Center did a study on a large collection of children’s books and found that we typically have more animals than all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color combined in our children's books! Look at your collection as a whole and see if there are books with all white/mostly white people that can be switched out with books featuring BIPOC.

What are the emotions that the Black people are having in these stories?
Do the plots only focus on Black characters being solemn, sad, or angry? Consider varying your collection to show Black folks experiencing joy, curiosity, and love. It's important for children to see that pain and suffering is not the only part of Black life.

Are the BIPOC characters in your book collection only from other countries or do they represent stereotypes from other countries?
Try to remove outdated books that only depict BIPOC as "foreign" and include books where cultures are celebrated, rather than othered. This demonstrates to children the variety of racial identities in our fellow Americans and neighbors.

Are the BIPOC characters in your collection only historical figures or celebrities?
Consider adding books where BIPOC (especially Black people) are featured as regular adults and children who are not famous. This demonstrates to the children that BIPOC do not have to be extraordinary to be valued. 

Interested in what else you should consider when purchasing books for your child? Check out 8 Tips for Choosing “Good” Picture Books Featuring Diverse, BIPOC Characters on EmbraceRace.org.

Leave a comment below of some of your favorite early childhood reads featuring BIPOC characters!