I will never tire of finding and reading books that promote inclusion. This stack is a little a continuation from the last week’s stack because I couldn’t fit them all into one! There are just SO many wonderful books that we love. I will also include books in each stack that bring aspects of diversity into those themes. While I love to feature books that are about inclusivity, it is also important to have books on a variety of topics that feature diverse characters within those topics. That way we can help our kids connect and love those who they perceive to be different.
David Jumps In by Alan Woo and Katty Maurey tells about a kid’s first day at a new school. David is feeling lonely, and especially so at recess where all the kids seem to have friends to play with. He has brought his favorite game- elastic skip- with him, but doesn’t have anyone to play with. He summons his courage and teaches his new classmates how to play. They love the game, and just like that, David has some new friends. The illustrations are soft and the words poetic. When we read this book, it’s easy to feel David’s quiet nervousness and how strong he must be to approach his classmates. It’s one you won’t mind reading several times, and may just inspire a game of elastic skip!
Alma wakes up as she usually does and starts her chores- combing the grass and petting the roof, when she hears a beast nearby! The beast, wearing a yellow dress, is lost and asking for help! Alma decides to help the beast get home, and when she sees the beast’s home, it’s both similar to and different from her own. She asks questions to understand how the beast lives, leading to finding some genuine connections. We love the spin of the human being described as the beast, and the way that Alma approaches learning about her through questioning. Clearly the images n Esmé Shapiro’s Alma and the Beast are interesting- so detailed and such beautiful use of color- that really highlight the differences between Alma and the beast.
I really needed Pink is for Boys. Despite my best- and my family would say sometimes forceful- attempts to teach my kids that gender is a social construct and you can be and like and do whatever feels good to you, my youngest kid has absolutely internalized ideas like short hair is for boys and pink is for girls. I felt helpless as she asserted those opinions more, so literally as fast as I could, I typed this title faster into my library request bar and may have sprinted to the library when it came in. Maybe (I did). Robb Pearlman and Eda Kaban’s Pink is for Boys asserts that each color is for boys and girls and shows examples of all kids of kids wearing, using, and playing with them. My kids love to see the energetic images and I’m really hoping that this will help my 3 year old to like whatever she truly likes.
Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B Schiffer and illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown shows the impact of binary thinking on kids. Stella has two dads, so when her teacher says they’ll be holding a celebration for Mother’s Day, she’s not sure what to do. Her classmates ask about who fills the role in her life using examples of things their mothers do for them. Stella responds that her Daddy and Papa do, as well as many other people who love her- her Nonna, uncle, aunt, and cousins all make up her community. We love this one because, while I am a woman married to a man who is my kids’ father, our kids are often cared for by their Nonna, Grandmas, Papas, Aunt, Uncles, and friends who are like family to us. I also really love the message that it’s not just her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, but a whole community of people and that all those people should be celebrated.
As always, we hope you love these books! If you do and want to own one, I’d love it if you’d consider clicking the links in the post above to get to my Bookshop store and buying them there. I’ll make a small commission and be so grateful!