Picture Books and Racial Reconcilliation

I have been thinking a lot about ways that I can play a part in racial reconciliation.  As a lover of Children’s Literature, I have long known the power of children of color seeing themselves on the pages of a well written picture book.  I have also seen white children better understand their black or brown classmates by reading books both written and illustrated by people of color and books where the characters are black or brown but who are “just like me”.   Sometimes these are biographies of people like Martin Luther King, Jr., but often they are books about ordinary people who just happen to be people of color.  

Because of my desire to be an advocate for reconciliation, I am sharing some picture books with you that fit the descriptions I mentioned above.  Never forget that picture books are not just for very little children.  Some of the books featured in this post will be more appropriate for upper elementary or tweens and many will even speak to adults.  I invite you to use this list to browse your local library or favorite book seller so that the children you love will learn about people who look different from themselves.  This is not an exhaustive list of good picture books to help with racial reconciliation, but I tried to include only those books which I have actually read and enjoyed.  Some are older books, but most are more recent publications.  

I think you might be surprised at how much you, as parents will learn from these books and from the discussions you will have with your children after reading them.  

Happy Reading and May We Learn to Live Together in Peace, Love and Respect!

*Please note that I have used www.titlewave.com for book covers and descriptions but I am not earning Affiliate Income.   

When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade.

"A beloved and very sleepy little boy resists his mother's efforts to put him to bed"--Provided by publisher.

"When a little girl has doubts about the color of her skin, her mother shows her all the wonderful, beautiful things brown can be!"--Jacket flap

 "A picture book biography sharing the . . . true story of the nation's oldest student, Mary Walker, who learned to read at the age of 116"--Provided by publisher.

"Joyful young narrators celebrate feeling at home in one's own skin"--OCLC.

"When Sharon Langley was born, amusement parks were segregated, and African American families were not allowed in. This picture book tells how a community came together--both black and white--to make a change. 

Sassy tries out for a summer dance festival in Washington, D.C., despite the other girls' taunts that she is much too tall.

A special thank you to my friend Krishon for introducing me to this beautiful book.  

"When all of their special Saturday plans go awry, Ava and her mother still find a way to appreciate one another and their time together."

"When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she's always known. She also sees a community that is rapidly changing around her"--Provided by publisher

Follows a Native American family as they make fry bread and celebrate their culture.

These are only 10 of the many picture books that will help children and adults alike to see beyond our outward differences and realize that we are all children of God.  Look for more posts in the future or you can contact me for more information.