Diversify Your Library

Exposing our students to many cultures is extremely important. We want to ensure that they receive a well-balanced and diverse education. Check out this great article, Picture Imperfect, about why it's important to diversify your classroom library so students are exposed to a different cultures through read alouds and books written by a plethora of authors.

"I want to make sure all children can see themselves in books," she says. "I want children to know their history matters - they matter," says Kelly Starling Lyons, an African-American children's book author.

Monica Brown, a Peruvian-American author of children's books about multiethnic identity, states, "It's important that we have these books in our schools because not every family can afford to own them."

The article provides a list which is a good starting point to add some diversity to your library:

An Inclusive Children's Reading List

• Benjamin and the Word, written by Daniel A. Olivas
• Black is Brown is Tan, written by Arnold Adoff
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young Readers Edition, written by William Kamkwamba
• Brick by Brick, written by Charles R. Smith, Jr.
• Courtney's Birthday Party, written by Loretta Long
• Ellen's Broom, written by Kelly Starling Lyons
• The Great Big Book of Families, written by Mary Hoffman
• Kate and the Beanstalk, written by Mary Pope Osborne
• Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match, written by Monica Brown
• Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale, written by John Steptoe
• My Princess Boy, written by Cheryl Kilodavis
• Nappy Hair, written by Carolivia Herron
• Oh the Things Mommies Do! What Could Be Better Than Having Two?, written by Crystal Tompkins
• The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom, written by Bettye Stroud
• The President Looks Like Me & Other Poems, written by Tony Medina

Another point to keep in mind is that every classroom is full of different kids. In addition to this list, try to find books that relate specifically to your kids and their lives.