Perhaps now more than ever, the news is full of stories and images that are challenging for adults to process, let alone for children to understand. Parents and caregivers have many difficult jobs, but talking about hard things with kids can be one of the most challenging. These discussions do not happen once, but over and over again as children grow. Sometimes the hardest part is getting started.
The following books and resources can help you begin.
Staff picks about celebrating diversity:
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena – available on YouTube
The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler – available on YouTube
The Family Book by Todd Parr – available on YouTube
We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Jane Kates – available on YouTube
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz – available on YouTube
Most People by Michael Leannah – available on YouTube
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Children’s books about Prejudice & Racism that you can access from Hoopla at home with your Warren-Newport Public Library District card.
Additional web resources:
Podcasts, Articles and Booklists: Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race
Social Justice Books for Kids to Teach about Global Issues
Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News
Teaching Your Child About Black History