As protests grow over the killing of George Floyd and the all too many black lives that have been taken, many parents find themselves unsure about how to talk to their kids about racism, death, and unrest. One place to start is through books. “Reading provides a valuable look at the past and an avenue for continued research when the protests are no longer front-page news,” writes USA Today.
While it is important to shed light on issues of racial inequity and injustices, particularly faced by the black community, it is also important to share stories of black love, triumph, and humanity. The New York Times writes, “Make sure all children see black people as heroes in a wide range of their own stories, and not just as victims of oppression. Nia Heard-Garris, M.D., says, “It is not enough to talk about racism, you must strive to be anti-racist and fight against racist policies and practices. If you have the privilege, make space, speak up or amplify issues of inequity and injustice. Children see everything.”
CH/LSS is an anti-racism organization, recognizing that race does matter and that living in a racialized society has implications on multiple levels: individual, cultural, institutional, and societal. We are committed to providing resources for families who are on their lifelong anti-racism journey—especially for our transracial and transcultural families brought together through adoption and foster care.
Online Resources
- 31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations About Race, Racism, and Resistance
- Anti-Racism for Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide to Fighting Hate
- Black Authors Discuss Being Black in America
- How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids
- These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids
Books Help Kids Learn About Racism in Candid, Age-Appropriate Ways
“Talking to kids about complex world issues can be tough, but books can help young people learn in a gentle, thoughtful way,” writes USA Today. As kids get older and develop a more complex understanding of the world, their book choice
Books for Kids:
- “A Kids Book About Racism” by Jelani Memory
- “Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters” by Andrea Davis Pickney
- “Something Happened in our Town” by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins and Ann Hazzard
- “The Colors of Us” by Karen Katz
- “The Skin I’m In” by Pat Thomas
Books for Teens:
- “All American Boys” by Brendan Kiely
- “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson
- “Dear White People” by Justin Simien
- “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
- “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
Learning for Adults
Adult Nonfiction:
Continuing your lifelong education and understanding of systemic racism can help you be more prepared to engage in deeper conversations with your kids while challenging your own bias and expanding your knowledge.
- “How to Be an Anti-Racist” by Ibram X. Kendi
- “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander
- “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo
Adult Fiction:
Fiction can be a powerful way to build your empathy and understanding of lives different from your own. Black authors have made important, and award-winning contributions to the world of fiction. Here are a few titles that have garnered praise over the past few years:
- “An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones
- “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead
- “White Teeth” by Zadie Smith
How to Support Your Community & Black-Owned Businesses Further
If you’re looking to take your community support further, consider borrowing the above titles from your local library, purchasing from one of your local booksellers, or purchasing from one of the many black-owned booksellers across the U.S.
Twin Cities Booksellers:
National Booksellers:
