Critically Analyzing Books for Representation

Classroom Library Questionnaire: How culturally responsive and diverse is your classroom library? 

10 Quick Ways to Analyze Books for Racism & Sexism

A Tool for Selecting Diverse Texts

Selecting Anti-Bias in Children’s Books

Social Justice Books – A Teaching for Change Project

We Are Kid Collective Lit – book lists

Follett/Titlewave – Classroom Diversity Booklists

Embracing Gender Identities

“To counter bias, research from Harvard University recommends acknowledging and naming race and racism with children as early and as often as possible. Children’s books are one of the most effective and practical tools for initiating these critical conversations; and they can also be used to model what it means to resist and dismantle oppression.​” embracerace.org

Resources for Children

Constructing Conversations through Literacy

Sora Summer Reads – Race, Prejudice & Resistance – available on the SORA app

Diverse Characters Gr. 4+ – available on the SORA app

Start a Conversation about Race – EPIC book list

4 Books You Can Download to Start the Conversation  – Dottir Press (until June 19th)

Unity Books – available on Vooks

Race, Racism and Resistance – available in the ASIJ ES Library 

Books with Characters of Color – Common Sense Media 

There are 3 strategies that parents can use to help children deal with racial bias:

1. Talk to your children and acknowledge that racial differences and bias exist.
2. Confront your own bias and model how you want your children to respond to others who may be different than them.
3. Encourage your children to challenge racial stereotypes and racial bias by being kind and compassionate when interacting with people of all racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. 

Resources for Parents

1. Talking to Children About Racial Bias
2. Books and Resources to Help You Raise Anti-Racist Children
3. Children Are Not Colorblind:  How Young Children Learn Race
4. Why It’s Important to Talk to Your Child About Racism and Hate
5. How to Diversify Your Child’s Bookshelves
6. Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup

Resources for Teachers

1. Race Talk:  Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism
2. 15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing and Protest
3. How Should I talk about Race in My Mostly White Classroom?
4. Teaching Young Children about Race in My Mostly White Classroom?
5. Teaching Tolerance
6. Social Justice Resources
7. Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News