It is important now, more than ever, for parents of all backgrounds to discuss race with their children. Parents can help guide their children through meaningful activities such as reading to spur the discussion. Books provide a wonderful starting point, so we have compiled a list of books for all ages. Remember, picture books can be powerful tools for all ages, not just younger children. We highly suggest previewing books before reading them with your child or children and reviewing these 10 Tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids About Race. Almost all of these books are available through the Metropolitan Library System for those residing in the Oklahoma City Metro.
Picture Books:
- An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle Ewing (board book, up to 5 years old)
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o (4-8 years old)
- Hands Up by Breanna J. McDaniel (4 to 8 years old)
- The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
- The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña and Christian Robinson
- Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung
- I Believe I Can by Grace Byers (Author) and Keturah A. Bobo (Illustrator)
- Little Leaders: Bold Black Women in History by Vashti Harrison
- All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold (Author) and Suzanne Kaufman (Illustrator)
- The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist (5 to 10 years old)
- Intersection Allies: We Make Room For All by Chelsea Johnson (6 to 12 years old)
Preteen:
- We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson (8 to 12 years old)
- Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood (poetry- 8 to 12 years old)
- Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham (8 to 12 years old)
Teens/Young Adults:
- This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on how to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell (11 to 15 years old)
- March: Books One-Three by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell (13 to 16 years old)
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginningby Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
