Fighting Prejudice with Anti-Racism Books for Kids
Conversations about race need to start early and continue throughout a child’s life. Support the fight against prejudice with these wonderful anti-racism books. They are suitable for children of different ages and with different levels of understanding of racism.
Fighting Prejudice with Children’s Books
How to talk to children about racism is uppermost in many educators’ minds because of the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and many more. While discussions about racism, prejudice, tolerance are difficult they need to be ongoing. A significant way to start conversations about race are with anti-racism books.
I spent my teaching career in international schools, teaching children from more nationalities than I could count. I realised there were limited opportunities to read books that represented all of my students.
I researched where to find diverse books representing children of colour, particularly when I became a teacher-librarian. After the book list, you can find a lengthy list of publishers and organisations that I use to further my knowledge of diverse children’s books, authors and illustrators. I have also collated a list of resources you can use in the classroom or send home at Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture has a detailed explanation of anti-racism, including videos and discussion points. This is information for yourself or something you can send home to parents and caregivers.
Anti-Racism Books for Kids
Most of the diverse books I have chosen focus on children as the hero, but I also added in picture books about activism.
“Anti-racism is not giving kids books about racism. It is about seeing them as people, nurturing their abilities, celebrating their successes and lighting the path forward.”
Where to Find Diverse and Anti-Racism Books
- Anansesem
- American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL)
- The Brown Bookshelf
- Diverse Book Finder
- Embrace Race
- Here Wee Read
- Hijabi Librarians
- I’m Your Neighbor Books
- Knights Of
- Lantana Publishing
- Latinxs In Kid Lit
- Lee and Low Books
- New Beacon Books
- Oyez!
- Reading While White
- Rich in Color
- Round Table Books
- Social Justice Books and Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books
- Vamos A Leer
- We Need Diverse Books
What Next?
Today, there is a lot more diversity in children’s literature, but there is still a long way to go for all children to feel represented when they open a book. It is important for us to help children be tolerant and responsive to discrimination whether aimed at themselves or others.
Anti-racism books are a wonderful tool to teach tolerance, open-mindedness and understanding. Let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations I can add to the list!
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