Girl Power: Diverse Picture Books for K-4th Graders

In our home, we’re always looking for diverse books that empower girls. And we’re always looking for stories with women of color as the main character of the story.  Books like this allow my girls to see themselves in the pages and understand that they are the star of their show. Megan Astolfi discusses the importance of the mirror effect books have, in a  case study conducted at a North Carolina elementary school on personal reflection and read aloud texts. She states that failing to include diverse literature into the classroom curriculum, is a “disservice to our children of color, negatively impacting the development of their self-image and cultural identity” (9).  Megan Astolfi points out that “educators need to think critically about the texts they are using during reading instruction”. Parents should take this advice to heart too.
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I would like to take this point further. All children should read stories about people who are different than them. In an era of “otherness” and in a time when political leaders lack empathy for others, parents must be vigilant in teaching their children about respecting people, religious practices,  and cultural practices that are different.  Research on prejudice shows that coming in contact with people who are different – so-called “others” – helps to reduce stereotypes. A book is often the first real experience a child has with someone who is not like them. What message do we send to students from non-marginalized groups when we only use texts that reflect their culture and experiences?

In celebration of Multicultural Book Day 2018, we covered a few books about empowering girls of color, that we hope end up on EVERYONE’s shelves.
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I am Rosa Parks
by Brad Meltzer, Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
Looking for books about empowered historical figures? Look no further than I am Rosa Parks. Brad Meltzer takes readers through the story of Rosa Parks and the activism that started the Montgomery Bus Boycotts of 1955-56. His picture book series shows young readers that our heroes are just ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things. My first grader is obsessed with Rosa Parks and this book really resonated with her because the character looked child-like and small even though the story was about an adult and her life’s work. 
​For more information check out:
​ www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com

Do I Have to Make My Curly Hair Straight
by Lesli Mitchell, Graphic Design by Stephen Giflin
We’ve had to overcome our share of hair-drama. You can read about it here and here. This book was immediately a favorite with my 4th grader who continues to struggle with the exact question Lesli Mitchell posed, “Do I have to make my curly hair straight?”. In the end, Mitchell shows the main characters (and my daughters) that the question is not an either or question, but rather a question of loving the unique qualities that make you, YOU.  A nice added touch is an appendix with resources for maintaining and loving curly, kinky, coily hair types. You can purchase your copy on Amazon here. Learn more: www.empoweredculture.com
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The Audacious Princesses
by Janet Breceda Wright, A. E. Wright, and Nataly Wright, Illustrated by Dano Marr
We really loved this book. My daughters attend a school with children from all around the world (like 72 countries are represented in our school). And their friends look just like the girls in “The Audacious Princesses” book. The story takes each character through her own family history journey where she learns about all the special people and customs that make her life possible. The best part is that each girl had a unique and beautiful history and their differences “did not keep them from being the best of friends”.  Purchase your copy on Amazon here.
For activities and information visit:
​ www.theaudaciouslittleprincesses.com
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Anyia Dream of a Warrior
by Jacquitta A. McManus
If you have a daughter who refuses to subscribe to traditional ideas of what a woman is supposed to do, this is the book for you. McManus takes us through a journey with Anyia, a daughter of a chief in the Nagoran Village, as she prepares herself to become a warrior like her idol Amoonda. Ultimately, the lessons she learned in the end were more valuable than her own selfish desires. The book is a testament to leadership and balancing dreams with responsibility.
​Learn more: www.worldstodiscover.com  

Talee and the Fallen Object 
by Jacquitta A. McManus
We are huge sci-fi and fantasy fans and we really loved this book. This book really resonated with my 3rd grader who is always thinking up far off lands and adventures and is always on the search for fantasy and sci-fi books with girls and women of color as the lead. She enjoyed reading about Talee’s love for reading, her journey with Bett, and the discovery of a new friend. Purchase your copy on Amazon here.  Learn more:
 www.worldstodiscover.com 
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Malala Yousafzai Warrior with Words
by Karen Leggett Abouraya, Illustrated by L.C. Wheatley
We all know about or have heard of Malala Yousafzai and her bravery but this beautifully written and designed picture book by Abouraya and Wheatley, bring her words, her essence, and her mission to life.  This book shows readers how Malala used her talents to bring attention to the plight of girls in Pakistan and how even in the face of death she continued to stand up and fight globally for change. Purchase your copy on Amazon here.
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I continue to raise my daughters with the belief that women of all colors have a great amount of power and when given (or taking it when necessary) agency can accomplish great things. These books are great ways to reinforce, for girls and boys of all colors, the message that power resides within each of our decisions to stand up for something, to be proud of our culture, to speak out against violence and hatred, and to use each day as an opportunity to explore the world around us. It is our hope that you add these books to your home library or classroom reading list.

Multicultural Book Day is a celebration for everyone, but it’s really important that children of color and children of non-Christian religions hear positive stories about people that look like them. “Students of color become more engaged in texts that are being read when they see reflections of themselves in the characters of the story” (Freeman & Freeman, 2004).


Sources:
“ARE OUR STUDENTS SEEING REFLECTIONS OF THEMSELVES IN THE TEXTS THAT ARE BEING READ BY THEIR TEACHERS?:
A CASE STUDY OF READ ALOUD TEXTS FROM A NORTH CAROLINA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL” by Megan Astolfi https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/indexablecontent/uuid:6888e32e-3e9b-473d-b2ca-1e1489d973c0

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Get involved! More on Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2018 (1/27/18) is in its 5th year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents, and educators.  

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Current Sponsors:  MCBD 2018 is honored to have some amazing Sponsors on board.

2018 MCBD Medallion Sponsors
HONORARY: Children’s Book Council, Junior Library Guild
PLATINUM:Scholastic Book Clubs
GOLD:Audrey Press, Candlewick Press, Loving Lion Books, Second Story Press, Star Bright Books, Worldwide Buddies
SILVER:Capstone Publishing, Author Charlotte Riggle, Child’s Play USA, KidLit TV, Pack-n-Go Girls, Plum Street Press
BRONZE: Barefoot Books, Carole P. Roman, Charlesbridge Publishing, Dr. Crystal Bowe, Gokul! World, Green Kids Club, Gwen Jackson, Jacqueline Woodson, Juan J. Guerra, Language Lizard, Lee & Low Books, RhymeTime Storybooks, Sanya Whittaker Gragg, TimTimTom Books, WaterBrook & Multnomah, Wisdom Tales Press

2018 MCBD Author Sponsors
Honorary Author Sponsors: Author/Illustrator Aram Kim and Author/Illustrator Juana Medina, Author Janet Balletta, Author Susan Bernardo,  Author Carmen Bernier-Grand, Author Tasheba Berry-McLaren and Space2Launch, Bollywood Groove Books, Author Anne Broyles,  Author Kathleen Burkinshaw, Author Eugenia Chu, Author Lesa Cline-Ransome, Author Medeia Cohan and Shade 7 Publishing, Desi Babies, Author Dani Dixon and Tumble Creek Press, Author Judy Dodge Cummings, Author D.G. Driver, Author Nicole Fenner and Sister Girl Publishing, Debbi Michiko Florence, Author Josh Funk, Author Maria Gianferrari, Author Daphnie Glenn, Globe Smart Kids, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Author Quentin Holmes, Author Esther Iverem, Jennifer Joseph: Alphabet Oddities, Author Kizzie Jones, Author Faith L Justice , Author P.J. LaRue and MysticPrincesses.com, Author Karen Leggett Abouraya, Author Sylvia Liu, Author Sherri Maret, Author Melissa Martin Ph.D., Author Lesli Mitchell, Pinky Mukhi and We Are One, Author Miranda Paul, Author Carlotta Penn, Real Dads Read, Greg Ransom, Author Sandra L. Richards, RealMVPKids Author Andrea Scott, Alva Sachs and Three Wishes Publishing, Shelly Bean the Sports Queen,  Author Sarah Stevenson, Author Gayle H. Swift Author Elsa Takaoka, Author Christine Taylor-Butler, Nicholette Thomas and  MFL Publishing  Author Andrea Y. Wang, Author Jane Whittingham  Author Natasha Yim

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.


TWITTER Party Sponsored by Scholastic Book Clubs
MCBD’s super-popular (and crazy-fun) annual Twitter Party will be held 1/27/18 at 9:00pm. Join the conversation and win one of 12-5 book bundles and one Grand Prize Book Bundle (12 books) that will be given away at the party! http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/twitter-party-great-conversations-fun-prizes-chance-readyourworld-1-27-18/

Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: http://bit.ly/1kGZrta

Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/

​Join the Discussion on Social Media: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.