I M A GI N A T I O N

the ability to “read the word” and into the ability to “read the world.” Our students are learning about themselves, and the world around them, through what they see and what they read.

Each year, the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) collects data on children’s books published by major publishing companies. In 2018, the CCBC reported that 50 percent of published children’s books depicted white characters and 27 percent of children’s books depicted animal or other characters, leaving 23 percent of children’s books to depict characters from Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American Pacific Islander, and African/African American communities. What this tells us is that without the intentional curation of our libraries, it is likely that many students in the Beauvoir community will not see themselves reflected within the literature they are engaging.

During the workshop, we also discussed the importance of positive and affirming representation in children’s literature. When intentionally adding diverse books to bookshelves, another important factor to consider is the way that diverse characters are represented. During the curation process, it is essential to consider stereotypes, tokenism, character roles, language, and more. Ultimately, this workshop created a brave space for parents and caregivers to learn, self-reflect, hear best practices, share knowledge, and build community with one another. As we continue our journey to make Beauvoir a place where all of our students and community members experience a sense of belonging, we are grateful for the full community’s commitment to making this a reality. ✿

When children cannot find themselves reflected in books they read, or when the images they see are distorted, negative, or laughable, they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in the society of which they are a part. Our classrooms [and our homes] need to be places where all the children from all the cultures that make up the salad bowl of American society can find their mirrors.

DR. RUDINE SIMS BISHOP

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE RESOURCES

Here Wee Read: The 2022 Ultimate List of Diverse Books blog by Charnaie Gordon (hereweeread.com)

Indigenous Reads by Indigenous Authors by digital publisher Medium (medium.com)

Top 150 Recommended AA Children’s Books by the African American Literature Book Club (aalbc.com)

Books for Littles by Raising Luminaries (booksforlittles.com)

Lee & Low’s Diversity Gap blog by Lee & Low Books (blog.leeandlow.com)

American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) blog by Dr. Debbie Reese, AICL (americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com)

Note: Data on books by and about Black, Indigenous and People of Color published for children and teens compiled by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison.