Why Diverse Children's Books Might Matter Now More Than Ever: Discussing The World With Children and What We are Doing At EduAndYou to Make a Change

Hey there! Have you ever noticed how most children's books have white, straight, cis, and able-bodied characters? Maybe these books represent the children in your life, but have you ever stopped to think about the kids who have never seen people like them in literature? That’s exactly why diverse children's books are so important! They open doors to new worlds, help kids see themselves or others in stories, and teach empathy like no other tool. Today, I’m diving into why these books matter, possibly now more than ever. Are you ready? Let’s jump right in!

What Makes Diverse Children's Books So Special?

Diverse children's books are all about representation. They showcase characters from different races, cultures, abilities, family structures, and backgrounds. When kids see characters who look like them or share their experiences, it tells them that they belong. When they see characters who don't look like them, it tells them that this is a friend, a cousin, a loved one, or a stranger who is just as deserving of love as they are.

Here’s why diverse children's books are a game-changer:

• Boost belonging: Kids feel valued when they see themselves in stories.

• Encourage empathy: Learning about others’ lives helps children understand different perspectives.

• Promote inclusivity: Diverse books teach respect and kindness toward everyone.

• Expand imagination: New cultures and experiences spark creativity and wonder.

Practical Tips for Choosing and Using Diverse Children's Books

So, how do you find the best diverse books and make the most of them? Here are some easy tips to get you started:

• Look for authentic voices: Books written or illustrated by people from the culture or background they’re portraying tend to be more genuine, such as the Autism Books by Autistic Authors Project.

• Mix it up: Include books that cover a variety of experiences, such as race, ethnicity, gender, ability, family life, and more.

• Read together: Share the stories with kids and ask questions like “What do you think about this character?” or “Have you ever felt like this?”

• Create a diverse library: Whether at home or in the classroom, having a range of books available encourages kids to explore.

• Celebrate stories year-round: Don’t just save diverse books for special months or holidays. Make them a regular part of reading time!

  
  

Also, write letters to your local bookstores urging them to diversify their collection. Share EduAndYou as a resource to get help them get an idea on how and why diverse children's books can be used everywhere.

An image of books from Wix Media.

How Diverse Children's Books Can Help Build a Kinder World, Especially Now.

Let’s be honest, the world is a tough place. With families being broken apart and differences dehumanized, how can children learn to be kind to people that are not the same as them? Books have this magical power to shape how kids think and feel about others. When children read stories about diverse characters and an open conversation about acceptance occurs, children can learn to be kind to everyone and challenge societal pressure to hate on certain groups of people.

In terms of America, regardless of what you believe about families who are being discriminated against, there are children waiting for their mothers and fathers to come home that might never see them again. These are children. These are families. These are people. People just like me and you.

What We're Doing At EduAndYou to Support Human Rights

If you are looking for books that invite conversation on social justice and human rights, these are EduAndYou's next topics for our reviews and posts. We would be doing our community a massive disservice by staying silent, and so we are choosing to speak up. Here at EduAndYou, we value all children. Children with parents that are 2SLGBTQIA+, children of immigrants, and every other child. But we don't just value children - we value people. We value those who are unheard, silenced, and discriminated against. We value those who have no resources, who live on our streets, and who struggle. We value human rights. So, we are talking about it. Not just this month but forever, because issues with human rights and justice are not going anyway anytime soon.

Through diverse literature reviews and the blogs we have chosen for January and beyond, we will be discussing these topics in great detail. For the children, for the people, and for everyone who can't. If this poses an issue for you, we are inviting you to think about why.

Follow our Substack to get the most of your time and share EduAndYou as a resource if you enjoy our posts.

An Important Discussion to Have

We are leaving this blog post with a conversation we would like to invite you to have with the children in your lives. With fear everywhere right now, do you know if your children are afraid? Are you hiding what's happening from them to protect them, or do they know what's going on?

At the end of the day, what you talk to your children about is entirely up to you. EduAndYou does not intend on forcing you to discuss hard topics with children, but we do want to invite the idea that some children know more than they let on. I know, for one, that when I was very young and social justice issues were occurring, I felt a sense of deep dread, fear for my friends, and fear for my future.

Please do not feel pressured to discuss anything with your children, but please do discuss what we write about with yourself. Think about what you believe is right, what you agree and disagree with, and what you are choosing to do to make a difference.

Final Thoughts

EduAndYou is choosing to reach out to special education legislators regularly to discuss funding in our schools and childcare facilities. If you would like to be apart of this discussion, reach out to me at soulfully.sam.official@gmail.com to get the conversation started, share a personal quote or statement, or start your own journey of making an impact.

Together, we can make a fundamental change. Together, we already have.