What’s really interesting is most present-day fiction featuring characters of my ancestral heritage are not like my family at all. Most are, well, really “cultural” if you know what I mean. Like nothing is “regular” or “integrated.” I did write a children’s book that is loosely inspired by my family. Features characters that are both mixed ethnicity and faith. Now THAT is rare.
Great post! In recent years, I have tried to expand my own reading list to include more diverse and different-than-me narrators and experiences, and I try to extend that to my son as well ( who is an autistic young adult who still lets me read to him). The mirror/window choice is interesting, especially for my son - children’s books featuring autistic characters were non-existent 20 yrs ago, when he was younger (and it took me awhile anyway - as a “neurotypical” parent - to understand that he needed to see himself in positive role models, just as any kid does), so it’s been great to share with him some of the titles that have come out in the past few years. But we both still love animal books, too ;)
This is a great post. I never get tired of reading information about diversity in children's literature and of course, how to build a diverse and inclusive bookshelf, both for my kids and myself.
I create and present geography programs, mostly to children, as my job, so I have to shout out the Free Library of Philadelphia system. They have an excellent selection of books that highlight kids from all over the world, and lots of bilingual options.
Thought out this read, it resonated so much that I wanted to comment early before reading on. Could relate to a lot. I moved to the US in 2006 (assuming that’s much later than you as you grew up here) and I saw the ignorance in conservative America first hand, about India seen through the lens of the slum dog millionaire, and asking some naive but stereotypical questions such as “do all women know India cover their head?”. It tough not to be frustrated by those, makes you feel more alien. As if skin color wasn’t enough of a downside.
Your classification of books children should read is brilliant, assuming you came up with those.
As for toys, I wonder if boys have had the same issues as girls who played with dolls. I grew up playing with cars and toy guns, and yes I did have a brown teddy bear I lugged around every or so I’m told.
First, I started off with diversifying what I read for myself. I think that's just my general way of parenting, which is modeling. I can't expect my kid to follow certain footsteps if I'm not doing it myself or leading by my example. I'm first-generation Filipino-American so I decided I wanted to go on a mission and find all the English written Filipino books. A few I liked, a few I didn't. I've been thinking of writing one myself but who knows if that will happen!
This may sound nonstrategic but when we're at the library or at the book store, I just try to find a mix of books whose main characters are from various backgrounds. I often feel like I need to do this more because we live in an area that isn't very diverse racially so I am mindful of trying to mix in different perspectives where I can. Books is one way to do that.
I also mix in all the books I loved as a kid, which were not diverse but I think it's good connection time for all of us.
Just came upon your Stack! The Diverse Bookshelf is such an important concept. I may have been subconsciously following it to some degree — each library trip, I try to pick out a chunk of books to be diversity-centric. I can relate to growing up in the all-white Midwest – there were few characters (or classmates) of color, and zero LGBT or disabled ones. Plus the stories didn't tell familiar experiences. I write about equality and diversity (among other things) so this hits home! I def want my kids to grow up with a wider view of the world that includes them and many others.
I would love your opinion!! I love the percentage idea!! What a helpful way to wrap my head around keeping a diverse bookshelf. However, do you have any ideas how this might work for interracial / adoptive families? Where the mirror and windows may be different for different children in the home?
Do you know, if you live in a town with a college or university, you can usually get a "community member" library card (there's usually a cost, though). At the very least, you can bring your kids in for free and let them prowl and read while there. Not all colleges and universities have big education programs and wonderful children's sections, though. I feel like if I were living in the town where I grew up (nowhere near a college), I'd be relying on the children's librarian at the public library for help!
For deep dives that relate to diversity, the Hawaiian/Polynesian one was huge. Ancient Egypt has been another. The other deep dives have been about things not really diversity-related: nautical stuff, puffer fish, therapod dinosaurs. There are other particular books that they have really gotten into, where it's just the book but it doesn't set off a deep dive. They both used to LOVE a Native American alphabet book, written and illustrated by Native Americans that showcased the diversity of cultures called *Many Nations.*
Great thoughts. I’ve been curating a diverse bookshelf for years.
I’ve also had custom dolls made on Etsy.
This year we are venturing in publishing children’s books that highlight Caribbean experiences along with South Asian experiences in the US - since my household is both Black Caribbean and Bangladeshi
I enjoyed and appreciated reading this. I work at an academic library with a KILLER children's section. We have a school of education, and the librarian who buys books for them does a great job including books representing a range of perspectives and experiences. So I will often raid our collections and bring stuff home for my kids to see what catches their interest. They both tend to be very curious about other places and cultures and experiences. I never know what's going to spark an interest, but when they react to something, I get them more on the same topic, and they will often end up doing a deep dive (learning about Native Hawaiian culture was a huge thing in our family for a while).
I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in a strong East Indian community in Guyana, and because I read stories from around the world as a child, I don’t feel deprived. Yet I do see the need for diversity in children’s books, especially books that have magic, and books that don’t preach to children. I started working on this a few months ago.
(I do feel deprived for this reason though - we don’t study Indian / Pakistani / Arab writers in our universities in the Caribbean even though we come from all these places.)
Absolutely grateful to be here at a time when our children are being introduced to so much diversity as compared to our generation. But still takes a lot of effort from parents, caregivers and teachers to cultivate this. So thank you for all the recommendations
What’s really interesting is most present-day fiction featuring characters of my ancestral heritage are not like my family at all. Most are, well, really “cultural” if you know what I mean. Like nothing is “regular” or “integrated.” I did write a children’s book that is loosely inspired by my family. Features characters that are both mixed ethnicity and faith. Now THAT is rare.
https://www.amazon.ca/Three-Years-Cynthia-Cheng-Mintz/dp/1039181457/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=9QBJY8Z8NEX2&keywords=our+three+new+years&qid=1706821710&sprefix=%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1
Great post! In recent years, I have tried to expand my own reading list to include more diverse and different-than-me narrators and experiences, and I try to extend that to my son as well ( who is an autistic young adult who still lets me read to him). The mirror/window choice is interesting, especially for my son - children’s books featuring autistic characters were non-existent 20 yrs ago, when he was younger (and it took me awhile anyway - as a “neurotypical” parent - to understand that he needed to see himself in positive role models, just as any kid does), so it’s been great to share with him some of the titles that have come out in the past few years. But we both still love animal books, too ;)
This is a great post. I never get tired of reading information about diversity in children's literature and of course, how to build a diverse and inclusive bookshelf, both for my kids and myself.
I create and present geography programs, mostly to children, as my job, so I have to shout out the Free Library of Philadelphia system. They have an excellent selection of books that highlight kids from all over the world, and lots of bilingual options.
Thought out this read, it resonated so much that I wanted to comment early before reading on. Could relate to a lot. I moved to the US in 2006 (assuming that’s much later than you as you grew up here) and I saw the ignorance in conservative America first hand, about India seen through the lens of the slum dog millionaire, and asking some naive but stereotypical questions such as “do all women know India cover their head?”. It tough not to be frustrated by those, makes you feel more alien. As if skin color wasn’t enough of a downside.
Your classification of books children should read is brilliant, assuming you came up with those.
As for toys, I wonder if boys have had the same issues as girls who played with dolls. I grew up playing with cars and toy guns, and yes I did have a brown teddy bear I lugged around every or so I’m told.
Great read, very insightful, thank you.
First, I started off with diversifying what I read for myself. I think that's just my general way of parenting, which is modeling. I can't expect my kid to follow certain footsteps if I'm not doing it myself or leading by my example. I'm first-generation Filipino-American so I decided I wanted to go on a mission and find all the English written Filipino books. A few I liked, a few I didn't. I've been thinking of writing one myself but who knows if that will happen!
This may sound nonstrategic but when we're at the library or at the book store, I just try to find a mix of books whose main characters are from various backgrounds. I often feel like I need to do this more because we live in an area that isn't very diverse racially so I am mindful of trying to mix in different perspectives where I can. Books is one way to do that.
I also mix in all the books I loved as a kid, which were not diverse but I think it's good connection time for all of us.
Just came upon your Stack! The Diverse Bookshelf is such an important concept. I may have been subconsciously following it to some degree — each library trip, I try to pick out a chunk of books to be diversity-centric. I can relate to growing up in the all-white Midwest – there were few characters (or classmates) of color, and zero LGBT or disabled ones. Plus the stories didn't tell familiar experiences. I write about equality and diversity (among other things) so this hits home! I def want my kids to grow up with a wider view of the world that includes them and many others.
Love the “diverse bookshelf”--such a great way to think about a library and the visual is great too. Thanks for this!!
I would love your opinion!! I love the percentage idea!! What a helpful way to wrap my head around keeping a diverse bookshelf. However, do you have any ideas how this might work for interracial / adoptive families? Where the mirror and windows may be different for different children in the home?
Do you know, if you live in a town with a college or university, you can usually get a "community member" library card (there's usually a cost, though). At the very least, you can bring your kids in for free and let them prowl and read while there. Not all colleges and universities have big education programs and wonderful children's sections, though. I feel like if I were living in the town where I grew up (nowhere near a college), I'd be relying on the children's librarian at the public library for help!
For deep dives that relate to diversity, the Hawaiian/Polynesian one was huge. Ancient Egypt has been another. The other deep dives have been about things not really diversity-related: nautical stuff, puffer fish, therapod dinosaurs. There are other particular books that they have really gotten into, where it's just the book but it doesn't set off a deep dive. They both used to LOVE a Native American alphabet book, written and illustrated by Native Americans that showcased the diversity of cultures called *Many Nations.*
I'd like to see children's books about blended families and stepparents. That would help so much in easing the nurances in the stepmothering journey.
Great thoughts. I’ve been curating a diverse bookshelf for years.
I’ve also had custom dolls made on Etsy.
This year we are venturing in publishing children’s books that highlight Caribbean experiences along with South Asian experiences in the US - since my household is both Black Caribbean and Bangladeshi
I enjoyed and appreciated reading this. I work at an academic library with a KILLER children's section. We have a school of education, and the librarian who buys books for them does a great job including books representing a range of perspectives and experiences. So I will often raid our collections and bring stuff home for my kids to see what catches their interest. They both tend to be very curious about other places and cultures and experiences. I never know what's going to spark an interest, but when they react to something, I get them more on the same topic, and they will often end up doing a deep dive (learning about Native Hawaiian culture was a huge thing in our family for a while).
I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in a strong East Indian community in Guyana, and because I read stories from around the world as a child, I don’t feel deprived. Yet I do see the need for diversity in children’s books, especially books that have magic, and books that don’t preach to children. I started working on this a few months ago.
(I do feel deprived for this reason though - we don’t study Indian / Pakistani / Arab writers in our universities in the Caribbean even though we come from all these places.)
LOVE the book categories ❤️
Absolutely grateful to be here at a time when our children are being introduced to so much diversity as compared to our generation. But still takes a lot of effort from parents, caregivers and teachers to cultivate this. So thank you for all the recommendations
❤️❤️❤️