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If you have been following us for any amount of time, you know we are book obsessed in this family. It’s really important to me that Cassidy’s bookshelf is filled with diverse titles all year round and not just during Black History Month. By introducing books, shows and toys that represent the melting pot that is the United States, you show your children how to be inclusive. It also opens up healthy dialogue about celebrating others differences, racism, prejudice and current events and the truth about the past.
Black History Month is all about honoring generations of African Americans in the United States who fought for their lives to be seen as equal to you and I. We celebrate the achievements they made and honor the adversity they faced.
Since our bookcase features a lot of titles written and illustrated by people of color, I thought it would be awesome to showcase the availability of titles you can introduce to your children from the local library. Purchasing new books can be expensive. I’ve mentioned in the past I have bought new and used books for our collection. But if purchasing isn’t possible for you right now, don’t sleep on your local library. I was able to find Board books, picture books, audio titles, and then chapter and history books for older kids.
Here are the titles I was able to find at our local library
1. Follow Your Dreams Little One by Vashti Harrison, this is a board book introducing important figures. Good for babies until 3 years old.
2. Little Leaders Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison, this is a collection of one page biographies on important women figures. Made for kids 8-12 years old, however I read this to Cassidy now.
3. The Story of You by Lisa Ann Scott, encourages children to be the author of their own life. Great for kids 4-8 years old.
4. A Child’s Introduction to African American History by Jabari Asim – this book is for 8+ and outlines history past to present.
5. I Believe I Can by Grace Byers, a book full of affirmations to help children love and believe in themselves. Perfect for ages 4-8 years old.
6. Kamala and Mayas Big Idea by Meena Harris, is about two sisters who work in their community to make change. Great for kids 4-8 years old.
7. Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, celebrates names from all cultures and shows the beauty in being unique. Good for ages 5-10 years old.
8. Out of Wonder Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander, pays homage to poets of all different background. This book is best for ages 8-12 years old.
9. Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano, is a story about racial injustice great for kids preschool to third grade.
10. Strange Fruit: Billy Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song by Gary Golio, shows how the creation of a song challenged racism and paved the way for the Civil Rights movement. This book is meant for grades 3-6.
There were many more books available at my local library. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. I chose books that would be best for Cassidy’s age (5). We read to her every night, so we can talk through these together as a family.
In the Children’s section of our library there were signs about an Anti-Racism kit. In each age group a book was selected and paired with activities aimed toward making conversation about racism and equality. The conversation won’t ever be easy, but it will always be worth it and I am so glad our library offered it.
I am seriously considering making this a series, so let me know what you think about showcasing more bookshelves with library features.
If you are interested in past bookshelves I have put together, check these out:
Adorable Back to School Bookshelf Styled for my Kindergartner
Fun St. Patrick’s Day Styled Bookshelf for Your Children
25 Christmas Books to Add to Your Child’s Bookshelf this Holiday Season
– Heather
