As I cleaned up the living room I collected kids’ books from coffee tables, couches, pillow piles, and the floor. Bringing them to the bookshelf, I couldn’t help but notice something as I put them away. All the kids looked like my kids. They weren’t exactly the same, but for the most part, they had the same color skin, the same abilities, and the same lifestyle. Something that I had never noticed, suddenly seemed so obvious. My kids’ bookshelves had no diversity.
Kids need to identify with the characters they read about. It’s part of what connects them to stories. But books are also a powerful way for kids to learn about people who may not look or act the same way they do. And just because my kids connected with the characters, I couldn’t shake the reality that not all kids do.
What Can We Do?
If you look at your kids’ book collection, what do you see? Does everyone look like them, talk like them, live in the same kind of places as them? Do the characters all have the same color skin? Are any of them differently abled? If you don’t see a lot of range in the characters, you can make changes.
Whatever you do, don’t throw all your kids’ books away! Instead, think about how you can intentionally add to their collection to better represent people from other cultures and ethnicities, lifestyles, abilities, and socio-economic classes. Making these changes is about more than just having a variety of characters in their stories.
Diversifying your child’s reading library is a wonderful way to expose them to different perspectives, cultures, and experiences. It helps foster empathy, understanding, and a broader worldview. Following are some tips for how to make changes:
Include Books from Different Cultures: Seek out books that are set in or written by authors from various countries and cultures. This can include folktales, myths, and contemporary stories.
Embrace Different Genres: Offer a mix of fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery, science fiction, historical fiction, and biographies. This exposes your child to a wide range of writing styles and themes.
Include Books with Diverse Characters: Look for books that feature protagonists from different backgrounds, races, religions, abilities, and family structures. Representation is important.
Explore Different Time Periods: Include books set in different historical periods. This can help children learn about different eras and how people lived in the past.
Incorporate Books about Social Issues: Introduce books that tackle social topics such as race, gender, equality, poverty, and environmental issues. Choose age-appropriate books that can spark important discussions.
Encourage Books with Strong Female Characters: Both boys and girls need to read about strong, independent female characters who break stereotypes.
Consider Different Languages: If your child is bilingual or you’re interested in exposing them to other languages, include books in different languages.
Explore Different Abilities and Disabilities: Include books that depict characters with various abilities and disabilities. This helps promote inclusivity and empathy.
Encourage Different Art Forms: Include graphic novels, poetry, and other forms of literature to diversify the way stories are told.
Visit Diverse Bookstores and Libraries: Seek out bookstores and libraries that curate diverse selections. They often have staff recommendations that can guide your choices.
Discuss What They’re Reading: Engage your child in conversations about the books they’re reading. Ask about their thoughts, feelings, and what they’ve learned.
Reading a Wide Range Matters
Remember to choose books that are age-appropriate and aligned with your child’s interests. It’s also important to respect their preferences and let them have a say in selecting books. By doing so, you’ll create a reading environment that’s not only diverse, but also engaging and enjoyable for your child.