Reading List for Racial Equality for Kids

 

Being honest, authentic, and intentional with kids about race is good parenting. Countless examples of systemic racism and violence against Black men, women, and children highlight parents’ responsibility to help children recognize racism and how it is dangerous and detrimental to individuals and to society. Parents want the best for their kids, and this includes teaching kids about racism and instilling values that can lift everyone up and affect change. 

At Atlanta Innovative Counseling Center, we are committed to supporting both adults’ and children's mental health. 

We also want to support parents who are wondering how to talk to kids about race. We believe Black Lives Matter, and we're here with resources for parents who are committed to educating children about systemic racism in our country.

In this article, you will find recommendations for children's books that support diversity, equality, and anti-racism. 

Children can handle honest and forthright discussions about complex topics like race. Keep conversations age appropriate and build upon them as children age. The key is to keep the lines of communication clear and to model tolerance and anti-racist behavior. 

Books About Race for Kids

According to Rebecca Bigler, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin who has studied children's racial attitudes, “Studies show that babies recognize differences in skin color and hair textures. Even before they can talk to their children, parents can teach through their actions. In addition, do your best to expose your child to a diverse environment.”

Making sure your family has a diverse library is one way to help children notice and appreciate differences among people from an early age. 

As children become older, talk about how differences in appearance translate to differences in experience (early elementary school) and eventually tackle tougher topics like systemic racism and white privilege (middle and high school).

Picture books about racism for younger children ages zero to four include the following: 

All of the books on this list are diverse picture books with playful text that make starting conversations about race with very young children a fun opportunity to connect and learn. 

Pre-K and Early Elementary 

“With preschool-age children, you should start by discussing racial differences in a positive way,” according to Marietta Collins, Ph.D.

Preschool and early elementary-aged children can benefit from learning more about race beyond physical differences. 

Parents magazine notes that, "It's common for children this age to assign positive traits to people of their own ethnic group and negative traits to people who look different, says Dr. Bigler." 

According to Brightly, a website that coaches parents to raise kids who love to read: “When race comes up, keep the lines of communication open, even if your child says something embarrassing, insensitive, or outright racist. Don’t simply condemn and shut down conversation. Ask questions to find out why they’re thinking what they’re thinking, and how these ideas developed.” 

Your job as a parent when talking about race with kids this age is to assign positive traits to people of all ethnic groups. Work to dispel stereotypes and talk about positive contributions of people of different races. 

The Anti-Defamation League has an excellent collection of tips and resources for Engaging Young People in Conversations About Race. 

For the six to eight-year-olds in this category, there is good news: kids generally take on a more positive view of racial difference around this time. Emphasize how we might look different on the outside but how we have common interests and feelings and ideas. 

Some books about race that are appropriate for children four to eight years of age include:

Middle Grades and Young Adult

Middleschoolers can handle more nuanced conversations about race, and parents should not shy away from this. 

Set the stage for these conversations by locating these books for your children in this age range:

Young adult readers and highschoolers will be ready for the following:

Creating space to learn about empathy is an important complement to introducing children to anti-racist reading. You can find our previous article on this topic here. 

According to Brightly, you can curate your own anit-racist reading list for kids by keeping the following in mind: “Choose books that acknowledge that all of us are “different” in some way. Look for narratives that don’t only portray marginalized groups as suffering, in crisis, or being “saved” by outsiders; it’s also important to avoid reading only “hero” narratives about “exceptional” individuals.”

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

While the reading lists suggested here are in no way comprehensive, they are a starting point for introducing race to kids of all ages. 

Again, keep the lines of communication open, talk to kids about the messages they receive, and ask them how they are feeling when they see race depicted in literature, media, and film. Talk to kids about historical Black figures who have made a difference and discuss protests and current events in age-appropriate ways. 

Using AICC as A Resource 

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, reach out to Atlanta Innovative Counseling Center to find out how we can help. 

We have a diverse group of therapists committed to anti-racism and equality who can help introduce tough topics and be listeners. We can also offer guidance to parents about what is developmentally appropriate for kids when it comes to understanding and talking about race. We are here to support you and your family on a journey to raise kids who can make a difference in the fight against racism.

 
Laura HowardComment