Books to Teach Children About Race, History, and Equality
June 3, 2020
YWCA El Paso del Norte Region is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The books below are just a few of the ones we use at our Early Learning Academies to teach our students about the history of discrimination and racism, to love each other for our differences, and that no person is better or worse than another for the color of the skin.
Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
By Jonah Winter & Shane W. Evans
As Lillian heads to her polling place, she recalls the history of voting rights. This will serve as a great, age-appropriate introduction to the Civil Rights movement and history’s inequality.
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World
By Vashti Harrison
This book tells the true stories of 35 women from throughout history and around the world. This will serve as an excellent introduction to some of history’s most empowering and important women!
Sulwe
By Lupita Nyong’o
Sulwe has never felt beautiful because her skin is darker than everyone else’s and she has been teased for it. Readers will take a magical journey with Sulwe as she discovers her beauty, inside and out, and learn that all colors of skin are beautiful.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
By Helaine Becker
Until fairly recently, Katherine Johnson’s contributions to NASA and the historic moon landing have been mostly unknown. Her story will introduce young readers to the discrimination faced by black Americans. They will be inspired by a black woman in a white, male-dominated field whose intelligence changed the world.
Mae Among the Stars
By Roda Ahmed
Mae Jemison was the first black woman in space. As a child, people tried to dissuade her from pursuing her dream of becoming a scientist, but she persevered and accomplished exactly what she had always wanted!
When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson
By Pam Muñoz Ryan
Marian Anderson was an incredibly talented black singer who found success in Europe but faced discrimination in America. She famously performed to an integrated audience at the Lincoln Memorial and became known as one of the best singers ever. Of every color.
Firebird
By Misty Copeland
World-renowned ballerina Misty Copeland introduces a young girl who doubts her abilities and lacks faith in herself. With a little encouragement (which all children need!), she finds out just how far she can go. Misty Copeland was the first black female Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. She faced discrimination because of her skin color and body type and the story of her experiences will help readers understand that such discrimination still exists today.
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
By Vashti Harrison
This book will educate and inspire readers as they learn about 40 different black women throughout history. Their stories will explore racism, discrimination, triumph, and more.
The Name Jar
By Yangsook Choi
In this story, a young Korean immigrant decides to choose a new, “American,” name. With the help of her new friends, she finds the beauty in her name’s history, meaning, and uniqueness. Readers will learn to accept and love themselves, other humans, and other cultures.
The Day You Begin
By Jacqueline Woodson
The Day You Begin teaches children that sometimes they may feel different from others around them. However, they are strong enough and brave enough to move forward, share their stories, and learn from others.
Lovely
By Jess Hong
This simple book displays various characteristics and traits and describes them all as lovely. Two men in love? Lovely. An older woman with tattoos? Lovely. An individual with a prosthetic leg? Lovely. This book is short, simple, and illustrates that while everyone is different, everyone is lovely.
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
By Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali
This story reminds children that words can be hurtful, so kindness is always the best choice. This book serves as a perfect platform to teach YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Same, Same But Different
By Jenny Kostecki-Shaw
What can two children from opposite sides of the world have in common? Turns out, a lot! Readers will learn that they have a lot in common with other children from around the world, even if their surroundings and backgrounds are different.
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race
By Margot Lee Shetterly
The story of the black women who made NASA’s work possible was largely untold until recently. This book will introduce children to the extraordinary work of these women despite the discrimination and bigotry they experienced at the time.
Stella Brings the Family
By Miriam B. Schiffer
In this story, Stella uses her loving family and friends to teach others about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family. Readers will learn that there are all different types of family and each one is wonderful!
You can help YWCA El Paso complete our book collection by purchasing one from our Amazon wish list!
These books are shipped directly to us and will be used in our Early Learning Academies and School Age programs.