Have you seen this image floating around social media or online? It is incredibly eye-opening. Students in classrooms and homes all around the world are often reading books with white characters. When you think about what our world looks like, this is not an accurate representation of our global society. That means that children are not seeing themselves represented in the books they are reading.
One of my goals as an educator and mom has been to diversify our library. I want my kids to see themselves when they are reading. I want them to look at a book and think, “OHHHHH THIS CHARACTER LOOKS LIKE ME!” I also want them to see characters from different cultures and backgrounds.
Growing our library this way has not happened overnight. It is something that will always be a work in progress.
With that being said, I want to spotlight Black authors and illustrators that my children absolutely adore. Their books have brought so much vibrance to our library. {You can find Part 2 to this Blog Post by clicking HERE}
Oge Mora’s books are bright, inspiring, and full of life. Mora graduated from The Rhode Island School of Design. She loves all things colorful, patterned, and collaged. She is the author and illustrator of her books.
Saturday / The Oldest Student / Thank You, Omu!
Christian Robinson is one of my favorite illustrators, but he is also an author! His newest book, You Matter, just came out this summer. Robinson is not only an author and illustrator, but he is also an animator. He has worked with The Sesame Street Workship and Pixar!
Last Stop on Market Street / You Matter / Harlem’s Little Blackbird / Carmela Full of Wishes / Josephine / The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade / Gaston / School’s First Day of School / Antoinette
Did you know that before Derrick Barnes became an author of his own books, he wrote Hallmark Card lines. He was the first African American male staff writer for the company.
Crown / Baseball Amazing True Stories / The King of Kindergarten
Each Kindness is one of my favorite books. It is so impactful (especially in the classroom). Jacqueline Woodson is an incredibly talented author. She has her books memorized so that she doesn’t have to carry them around everywhere she goes!
Each Kindness / The Day You Begin / The Other Side
Talk about talented! Kadir Nelson has won an incredible amount of awards. His achievements are through the roof! He is the recipient of the 2020 Caldecott Medal. He has also designed many of the US postage stamps!
I Have a Dream / He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands / Salt in His Shoes / Nelson Mandela / Henry’s Freedom Box / Moses / The Undefeated / Mama Miti / Abraham Lincoln
I hope that you found some new books to add to your classroom or home library! For Part Two click HERE!
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Hey, y’all! My name is Amy Lemons and I am passionate about providing students with both engaging and effective standards-based Math and ELA lessons.
Sample a day of Rooted in Reading with these lesson plans and activities for Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Grammar!
2 Responses
I started following your blog (steppingintosecond) 5 years ago when I started teaching 2nd grade. I have always loved your creative ways of teaching, but because of your social media platforms and Rooted in Reading programs for 2nd and 3rd I feel my library has more diversity to it than if I never found your resources. So for that I thank you! Thank you for continuing to share your finds and resources.
This is so awesome to hear! Thanks for your support!