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Empowering books for children
27
items Kids want to read books with characters that look like them, or books that were written by people that look like them. They want to be able to see themselves in those books and so many times school libraries do not reflect our children. Here's a list...
Sections
3
Representation Matters
Supporting Emotions
First Conversations
Representation Matters
Books written by people for people that look like them
Dr. Kimberlie Harris created a joyful representation for boys having a love for reading. Her work highlights boys who love to read
I Love a Good Book: Inspire Young Children
Yes!! Mom and daughter duo SELF PUBLISHED AUTHORS created My Magical Brown Unicorn filled with Kam and her beautiful brown unicorn that has hair like hers! Follow Ren Lowe for more! She even teaches others how to become self published authors AND has...
My Magical Brown Unicorn
Love Ayesha Rodriguez's affirmations! She lists them and has them on each page. I love her representation specifically for brown children
I AM...: Positive Affirmations for Brown Boys
Written by SELF PUBLISHED Zachary Smith (7 years old!) I love the creativity in this book and am inspired by Zachary each time I read it. Then I think about his supportive team that believed in him and float in that energy. Highly recommend supportin...
Panda and Red Panda: A Child's First Book
I love the journey Sulwe sheads light on - the beaming pride that shines through Sulwe in the book is a great reminder about our own self love and appreciation for who we area. Every time I read it I also remind myself how this is a perspective for o...
Sulwe: Nyong'o, Lupita, Harrison, Vashti
I love this book because it is written from the perspective of the child. Through the words you can feel the love and appreciation the child has for their mother.
My Autistic Mama: Hirschy, Kati, Greenberg, Chloe
This book holds a special place in my heart. You can feel the feeling of how the mother feels supporting her child to be their wonderful self and then being sent to school for the first time and seeing a change in how the child feels. I love reading ... to be myself when reading this.
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea
I love how Dr. Temika S. Edwards empowers her son in this book. By listening to his words, showing how he is brave just like his dad, this is a wonderful joyful representation of Black boys every person should read.
Finding the Hero in Me: Edwards, Dr. Temika S.
Alethea Allen's beautiful representation of Albinism, her experience, and special glow that makes Alley - Alley. The illustrations are beautiful pieces of art!
Alley: I Have Albinism: Allen, Alethea, Papoon
Chelsea Addison breaks down financial, business, and entrepreneurial terms for young children to understand. What better way then to do it with a SLIME BUSINESS! Love this for adults and kids
Savannah's Savings Jar - Books
Yesenia Moises illustrations are a work of art! I love the connection Baby girl has with her doll Qai Qai. Empowerment, support, and self confidence are intertwined throughout this book
The Adventures of Qai Qai
I love how this book breaks down brain functions to kids. Connect their emotions, movements, challenges, and new growth (neuro pathways) through book
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Growth Mindset
I love recommending this book! It highlights how to look for the small moments and be appreciative and joyful of those moments. Love the activities and resources Gabi Garcia includes at the end of her books
Finding Joy: A celebration of small moments
I love how Sonica Ellis shows how kindness can multiply and create even more kind gestures in the world. Looking forward to reading much more from this author!
Kindness Rocks: Ellis, Sonica, Fx And, Color
Supporting Emotions
Emotions - those big feelings we all go through. These books help identify emotions and show little learners positive ways of handling those emotions (think deep breaths, acknowledging their feelings, and showing different ways to talk about them)
A much needed book about self compassion! Giving yourself the same space you would give a friend. Love all of Gabi Garcia's books about emotions and her strategies in her books for parents
Listening with My Heart: A story of kindness
One of my favorite books to read about emotions. Anna Llenas shows how to put emotions in jars and how to categorized them separately (with colors)
The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions
I love how this book explains the importance of rest and how it restores, recharges, and resets your body for the next day. JoAnn Deak's books are informative and in bite sizes ways for children to understand. Great reminders on how our brains are co...
Good Night to Your Fantastic Elastic Brain
I love how Gabi Garcia models ways of slowing down, paying attention to what we need, and taking the time to be compassionate toward ourselves. All of her books come with activities and extra insight at the end!
The Friend I Need: Being Kind & Caring to Myself
It's tough verbalizing your frustrations and anger. Gabi Garcia's helpful approach models how children can start to identify their own signs and how to calm themselves down. Love the support and resources included at the end of the book too!
Amaya's Anger: A Mindful Understanding
Gabi Garcia shows children it's okay to be anxious and how to tap into their own signs and calm themselves down. Looking for familiar objects, reminding themselves they are safe. I find this is a great gentle reminder for all humans
Find Your Calm: A Mindful Approach To Anxiety
Love this story about Mateo and how he was able to tap into gratitude and the wonder of a rainy day. Gabi Garcia takes us through the journey of experiencing joy in the smallest forms!
Mateo Finds His Wow: Wonder and Gratitude
A beautiful book that goes through the feeling of loss, emptiness, sadness, anger, and numbness. I find children are able to connect to this story, connect to their loved ones, and understand their big feelings are okay too.
I'll See You In The Moon: A Book About Loss
First Conversations
Books to help with conversations from body parts, to different households, to racism, these books were written by educators to help facilitate conversations at home. (Think what are your family beliefs, how does your family show love to one another, ...
I love how Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli add resources for parents before starting the book and at the end of the book. Dive into talking about boundaries, ways others show no, and strategies to try.
Yes! No!: A First Conversation About Consent ...
I love all of the Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli series. They thoughtful provide resources, explanations, and variations when having body conversations with your little one.
Every Body: A First Conversation About Bodies
I love how Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli support parents, families, and educators with these series. They break it down with questions to start the conversation and see where understandings are (both with adults and children)
Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race ...
I love the way Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli support parents and teachers by adding children appropriate questions. At the beginning and end of the books they add helpful resources and insight about all of the categories talked about in the book!
Together: A First Conversation About Love ...
This is a great resources to learn a little about how to talk to your child about gender. Pronouns - what are they? Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli add resources and insight to help parents, families, and educators too
Being You: A First Conversation About Gender ...