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social justice through storytelling: reading, hearing, and seeing others' stories
Reading a book on antiracism isn't going to make you antiracist, but its a good start. It’s important to know what it means to be antiracist and to learn about the history of racism in America in order to learn how to help eliminate it and take actions towards social justice.
"Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably.”
"As a multicultural society, the United States is rich with the stories of the diverse groups that make up this country. As a deeply racialized society, stained by structural racism, not all stories however are equally acknowledged, affirmed or valued. Many stories survive through tenacious resistance in the face of a status quo that marginalizes, and often silences, their telling thus diminishing their truths.”
- NAC International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity
- Lee Anne Bell and Rosemarie Roberts
It’s not enough to read about what it means to be antiracist, however part of the work towards antiracism does involve stories:
It involves seeing, reading and hearing stories that centralize BBIPOC from a very young age.
It involves reading about the history of racism in America and understanding how and why the systems in our country were built to oppress black, brown, indigenous people of color.
It involves understanding and sharing your own story - exploring the aspects of your identity that have been marginalized or oppressed and the words or actions you use to marginalized and oppressed others. Understanding that we live in and were raised in a society built on racism helps us understand why we are inherently biased against people of color. This extends to the biases within and between marginalized groups as well. None of us are immune and we are all in this together.
Bias begins at birth, the process of learning how to be antiracist is lifelong, and finding ways to learn what we can and to take actions that effect change is a responsibility we all share. Kids Create Change offers these resources to help support that learning and growth.
Picture Books, Written Books, Graphic Novels, Audio Books, Videos, Read Alouds, Spoken Word, Poetry, Podcasts...
These are all ways that we can read, hear, see and feel others' stories. Stories and storytelling in many forms encourages empathy. It enables us to connect to experiences other than our own. Pick up a new book, download a podcast, watch a film that broadens your understanding of race and racism in America. Being witness to other people's experiences and learning about the history and roots of racism are acts of antiracism. One of the many things young people can do to make a difference.
Check out this powerful spoken word piece shared by Youth Speaks
Tell Me Who You Are: Sharing Our Stories of Race, Culture, & Identity
By Winona Guo, Priya Vulchi
Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi recount their experiences talking to people from all walks of life about race and identity on a cross-country tour of America. Spurred by the realization that they had nearly completed high school without hearing any substantive discussion about racism in school, the two young women deferred college admission for a year to collect first-person accounts of how racism plays out in this country every day--and often in unexpected ways.
In Tell Me Who You Are, Guo and Vulchi reveal the lines that separate us based on race or other perceived differences and how telling our stories--and listening deeply to the stories of others--are the first and most crucial steps we can take towards negating racial inequity in our culture. Featuring interviews with over 150 Americans accompanied by their photographs, this intimate toolkit also offers a deep examination of the seeds of racism and strategies for effecting change.
This groundbreaking book will inspire readers to join Guo and Vulchi in imagining an America in which we can fully understand and appreciate who we are.
"The power of a book lies in its power to turn a solitary act into a shared vision"
- Laura Bush
Adults, check out the titles of these books! They're a great start for antiracist reading. For a booklist of more titles click here!
For Adults: Reading and Learning About Race and Racism is Modeling Antiracism for Children
One of the most important things we as adults can do for our young people is show them what it looks like to be antiracist. If children see the adults in their lives engaging in conversations about race and learning about the issues that plague our society, they'll see that it's okay to talk about it and ask questions.
Raising young people who are socially conscious and equipped to make change means we need to know how to make space for their learning. This means we need to be doing the work ourselves. There are endless books, blogs, podcasts, films, videos, and social media outlets to help. By challenging ourselves to learn more on our own, together with our children, and in community with others we can gain the tools needed to act as change makers and allys.
For Teens and Young Adults: Reading and Learning About Race and Racism Prepares you for the Real World and Gives You the Tools You Need to Actively Participate in a Society You Have the Power to Change
"Young people have the ideas, the creativity and great energy to shape a better world. Young people are full of hope and through innovation and imagination, they are problem solvers and have a great potential to generate a positive social change in the world."
- World Youth Alliance
An understanding of the roots and history of racism are key to disrupting it. There are so many resources out there to help, and so many ways that you can start making a difference today.
Kids and Teens, check out the titles of these books! They're a great start for antiracist reading. For a booklist of more titles click here!
A Guide to Choosing Books for Kids
Tips for Choosing Picture Books from Embrace Race
embracerace.org
8 tips for choosing “good” picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC)
by Dr. Krista Aronson, Anne Sibley O’Brien, and Dr. Andrea Breau
8 consejos para escoger libros ilustrados “buenos” con personas negras, indígenas y de color (BIPOC)
por Dra. Krista Aronson, Anne Sibley O’Brien, Dra. Andrea Breau
Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books
socialjusticebooks.org
Selecting and Using Culturally Responsive Children’s Books
OHS National Center on Cultural & Linguistic Responsiveness
eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov
click here for English
haga clic aquí para Español
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story
Buhle Ngaba: Storytelling Can Change How We See the World
Baratunde Thurston: How to Deconstruct Racism One Story at a Time
Black Lives Matter Reading
Black Lives Matter: Building Empathy Through Reading (Part I)
Black Lives Matter: Building Empathy Through Reading (Part II)
yalsa.ala.org/thehub
Black Lives Matter: A Reading List for Children & Families
skokielibrary.info
Black Stories Matter Bookshop List
by Aminah Mae Safi
Black Books Matter: Children's Books Celebrating Black Boys
theconsciouskid.org
19 Black Children's Books by Black Authors
bookriot.com
Click here to access the Black Lives Matter Instructional Library with access to children's books in English and Spanish read aloud!
Book Lists
by Ibram X. Kendi
31 Children's books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance
Embrace Race
How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help
by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Left Bank Books
Books on anti-racism that you can read right now
by Eric Webb
7 Essential Books to Read That Will Educate You and Your Kids on Anti-Racism
by Laura Galvin
An Essential Reading Guide For Fighting Racism
by Arianna Rebolini
by Ideal Bookshelf
Books I Loved in 2020 by Black Authors
by Amy Spalding
Books on Social Justice
Social Justice Booklist - The National Network of State Teachers of the Year
nnstoy.org
click here for a pdf of the full text
20 Social Justice Books for Young Adults and Middle Grades
bookriot.com
15 Empowering Middle Grade Novels for Kids Interested in Social Justice
barnesandnoble.com
Listopia - Social Justice Book Lists
goodreads.com
socialjusticebooks.org
Spanish/Bilingual Social Justice Booklist
socialjusticebooks.org
Multicultural and Social Justice Books for Children, Young Adults, and Educators
socialjusticebooks.org
Awesome Social Justice Books for Kids
act4socialjustice.com
A Diverse Book List for the Under-Five Set
slj.com
The following booklists contain recommended reading for children's books that feature bbipoc main characters, and antiracism themes. We are working to link the books to offer visual references and easy access to purchasing, but are being mindful of linking them directly to bookstores owned by local bbipoc and lgbtq owned bookstores.
Booklist of Children's Stories with BBIPOC Main Characters
This booklist is filled with stories for young people
ages 0-12 that feature black and brown central characters.
Ages 0-3
A Letter to Amy
by Ezra Jack Keats
Baby Dance
by Ann Taylor, illustrated by Marjorie Van Heerden
My Friends
by Taro Gomi
Hi, Cat!
by Ezra Jack Keats
The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
by Mahogany L. Browne
Whistle for Willie
by Ezra Jack Keats
Ages 1-5
A Day with Nellie
by Marthe Jocelyn
All the World
by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo
by Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk, illustrated by Daniel Kirk
Daddy Calls Me Man
by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Rhonda Mitchell
Every Little Thing
by Cedilla Marley, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Everywhere Babies
by Susan Meyers, illustrated by Marla Frazee
F is for Feelings
by Dr. Goldie Millar and Dr. Lisa Berger
Feast for 10
by Cathryn Falwell
Full, Full, Full of Love,
by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Paul Howard
Girl of Mine
by Jabari Asim, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Joshua by the Sea
by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Rhonda Mitchell
Lola at the Library
by Anna McQuinn, Illustrator, Rosalind Beardshaw
Nana’s Cold Days
by Adwoa Badoe, illustrated by Bushra Junaid
Soo’s Boo-Boos
by Tilda Balsley, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
Ages 3-5
Ada Twist, Scientist
by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
Chavela and the Magic Bubble
by Monica Brown, illustrated by Magaly Morales
Drawn Together
by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
Hair Love
by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Jabari Jumps
by Gaia Cornwall
Last Stop on Market Street
by Matt De La Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Library Mouse
by Daniel Kirk
Saturday
by Oge Mora
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez
by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
When Louis Armstrong Taught Me Scat
by Muriel Harris Weinstein, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Wow! It Sure Is Good to Be You!
by Cynthia Jabar
Ages 5-8
Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream
by Cindy Neuschwander, illustrated by Liza Woodruff
Be Boy Buzz
by bell hooks, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Big Red Lollipop
by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Bree Finds a Friend
by Mike Huber, illustrated by Joseph Cowman
City Shapes
byDiana Murray, illustrated by, Bryan Collier
Come on, Rain!
by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Jon J. Muth
Cora Cooks Pancit
by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant
Dalia’s Wondrous Hair / El cabello maravilloso de Dalia
by Laura Lacamara
Dream Dancer
by Jill Newsome, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
Grace for President
by Kelly S. DiPucchio, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest
by Marti Dumas, illustrated by Marie Muravski
Lola’s Fandango/El fandango de Lola
by Anna Witte, illustrated by Micha Archer
Malala’s Magic Pencil
by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoet
My Name is Yoon
by Helen Recorvitz, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska
Peeny Butter Fudge
by Toni Morrison
Raising Dragons
by Jerdine Nolan, illustrated by Elise Primavera
The Freckled Speckled Rainbow Dog Salon
by Kelly Greenawalt, illustrated by Amariah Rauscher
What Should I Make?
by Nandini Nayar, illustrated by Proiti Roy
Ages 7-9
As Brave as You
by Jason Reynolds
Buzz Beaker Series
by Cari Meister, illustrated by Bill McGuire
EllRay Jakes Series
by Sally Warner, illustrated by Brian Biggs and Jamie Harper
Kunu’s Basket
by Lee DeCora Francis, illustrated by Susan Drucker
The Skates of Uncle Richard
by Carol Fenner, illustrated by Ati Forberg
Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions
by Chris Barton and illustrated by Don Tate
Ages 8-12
A Walk on the Tundra, Writers, Rebecca Hainnu and Anna Ziegler, Illustrator Qin Leng
Karma Khullar’s Mustache
by Kristi Wientge
The Egypt Game
by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, illustrated by Alton Raible
The House on Mango Street
by Sandra Cisneros
Up Home
by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Susan Tooke
Antiracism Booklist for Kids and Families
This booklist is filled with stories for young people
ages 0-17 to help encourage conversations about
race and racism.
Ages 0-3
by Innosanto Nagara
by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
Global Babies
by Global Fund for Children
I Like Myself
by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow
Ages 4-8
Coretta Scott
by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills
by Renée Watson, illustrated by Christian Robinson
by Martha Freeman, illustrated by Violet Kim
Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America
by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jamey Christoph
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
My Hair is a Garden
by Cozbi A. Cabrera
Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis
by Jabari Asim, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Rosa
by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Something Happened in Our Town
by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
That’s Not Fair! Emma Tenayuca’s Struggle for Justice
by Carmen Tafolla and Sharyll Tenayuca, illustrated by Terry Ybáñez
The Day You Begin
by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López
The Legendary Miss Lena Horne
by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
We Are Grateful, Otsaliheliga
by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessac
by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Shawn Harris
When We Were Alone
by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett
Young Water Protectors: A Story About Standing Rock
by Aslan and Kelly Tudor
Ages 6-10
Every Human Has Rights: A Photographic Declaration for Kids
by National Geographic
Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History
by Walter Dean Myers, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
I Am Not A Number
by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer, illustrated by Gillian Newland
Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X
by Ilyasah Shabazz, illustrated by AG Ford
Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn
One Crazy Summer
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Ruth and the Green Book
by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
by Zetta Elliott (Author) Loveis Wise (Illustrator)
Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation
by Duncan Tonatiuh
Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up
By Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story
by Paula Yoo, illustrated by Lin Wang
Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
The Whispering Town
by Jennifer Elvgren, illustrated by Fabio Santomauro
Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army
by Art Coulson, illustrated by Nick Hardcastle
Viola Desmond Won’t Be Budged!
by Jody Nyasha Warner and Richard Rudnicki
When I Was Eight
by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
Ages 9-13
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
by Vashti Harrison
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library
by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Eric Velasquez
The Boy and the Wall
by Palestinian refugee children in the Aida Refugee Camp
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Ages 10-17
A Young People's History of the United States: Columbus to the War on Terror (For Young People Series)
by Howard Zinn and Rebecca Stefoff
An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People
by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, adapted by Jean Mendoza & Debbie Reese
Ages 14-17
Brown Girl Dreaming
by Jacqueline Woodson
Dear White People
by Justin Simien
Harbor Me
by Jacqueline Woodson
The Hate U Give
by Angie Thomas
This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work
by Tiffany Jewell and Aurelia Durand
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
For additional social-emotional resources click here
For resources on "talking to kids about race and racism" click here
To learn about social justice through art click here
Support Local Black-Owned Bookstores!
Check out the winners from the APALA (Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, a division of the American Library Association) Literature Awards 2005-2021
Asian Pacific American Library Association Book Awards List
Below are the books from this list for children ages 3-12 that can be found at the Evanston Public Library:
Recent Asian/Pacific American Awards Picture Book Winners and Honor Titles
Recent Asian/Pacific American Awards Children’s Literature (Middle Grade) Winners and Honor Titles
Skokie Public Library
A Literary Guide to Combat Anti-Asian Racism in America
LA Times
A Reading Guide on the Asian American Experience from Viet Thanh Nguyen, Charles Yu and More
Social Justice Books
Asian Americans
APIDA Booklists