Tired of books that celebrate cisgender characters, white saviors and noble dogs? Check out this list of enlightened kids’ books, just in time for reading month.
March is reading month. I am an educator and, dare I say it, I really hate reading. Don’t get me wrong; diving into a book is a magical experience, especially with youth. But many youth and young adult books are filled with narratives featuring cisgender main characters, white saviors and noble dogs. Those damn dogs.
Surely you know about the power of reading to children, or reading at any age. We’re talking stress reduction, vocabulary expansion, improved focus and concentration, and better writing. Reading aloud to children has proven to increase academic achievement and decision-making skills in all people. Basically, reading is fundamental.
This year for reading month, I have resolved to read to my children every day. I implore you to do the same if you can. If you don’t have children, I invite you to connect with a local school to volunteer to read to a classroom. Go to your local thrift shop and buy up some 25-cent books and hand them out to children on the train. Nicki Minaj is not the only person who needs to catch a good read this month.
All that said, I have curated a list of books that I will be sharing with my kids this March. Just some inspirational stories so my kids don’t think all they need is whiteness, masculinity and a golden retriever to make it through life. Check it out.
1. Press Here by Herve Tullet
2. Mary Had A Little Glam by Tammi Sauer
3. Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
4. Sleeping Bobby by Mary Pope Osborne
5. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
6. 10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert
7. My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis
8. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe
9. Honey, I Love by Eloise Greenfield
10. I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia
11. Max and the Tag-along Moon by Floyd Cooper
12. A Peacock Among Pigeons by Tyler Curry and Clarione Gutierrez
13. Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
14. The Different Dragon by Jennifer Bryan
15. Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian
16. A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
17. Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama
18. Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
19. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Dewalt
20. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
What’s your favorite book to read during March? Comment below.
Featured image by Steven Depolo. Creative commons license.
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