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!
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Try to remove outdated books that only depict BIPOC as "foreign" and include books where cultures are celebrated, rather than othered.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!