Quarto Kids | 1 June 2020Anti-Racist Books for Kids Share article facebook twitter google pinterest What is racism? Why does it exist? What can you do to disrupt it? Learn about Black changemakers, the history of racism and resistance against it, and how you can use your anti-racist lens and voice to move the world toward equity and liberation. This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The WorkBy Tiffany JewellIllustrated by Aurelia DurandAges 11-15, Paperback Gain a deeper understanding of your anti-racist self as you progress through 20 chapters that spark introspection, reveal the origins of racism that we are still experiencing, and give you the courage and power to undo it. Each chapter builds on the previous one as you learn more about yourself and racial oppression. Exercise prompts get you thinking and help you grow with the knowledge. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Little People, BIG DREAMS)By Maria Isabel Sanchez VegaraIllustrated by Mai Ly DegnanAges 4-7, Hardcover Little Martin grew up in a family of preachers: his dad was a preacher, his uncle was a preacher, his grandfather was a preacher…so maybe he’d become a great preacher too. One day, a friend invited him to play at his house. Martin was shocked when his mother wouldn’t let him in because he was black. That day he realized there was something terribly unfair going on. Martin believed that no one should remain silent and accept something if it’s wrong. And he promised himself that—when he grew up—he’d fight injustice with the most powerful weapon of all: words. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the inspiring activist’s life. Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and PresentBy Jamia WilsonIllustrated by Andrea PippinsAges 7-10, Hardcover Meet 52 icons of color from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement—a collection of stories about changemakers to encourage, inspire, and empower the next generation of changemakers. Jamia Wilson has carefully curated this range of black icons and the book is stylishly brought together by Andrea Pippins’ colorful and celebratory illustrations. The Power Book: What is it, Who Has it, and Why?By Claire Saunders, Georgia Amson-Bradshaw, Minna Salami, Mik Scarlet, and Hazel SonghurstIllustrated by Joelle AvelinoForeword by Roxane GayAges 7-11, Hardcover What makes you the boss of me? Why can some people vote for their leaders, but other people can’t? Does having lots of money make you powerful? These are things that kids wonder about. The Power Book answers these and other questions in a relatable way for young people, including thought-provoking discussions on challenging topics, like war, bullying, racism, sexism, and homophobia. You will gain an understanding of your place in your family, your school, and the world, and will discover ways in which you can use your own power to shape the future. As you explore the many aspects of power, thinking points pose questions that spark self-reflection and quotes and stories from some of the greatest change-makers—such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Emmeline Pankhurst, Rosa Parks, Malala Yousafzai, and Stephen Hawking—provide historical context and inspiration. Find more opportunities for learning at the back with a glossary of terms and suggestions for further reading. Jesse Owens (Little People, BIG DREAMS)By Maria Isabel Sanchez VegaraIllustrated by Mai Ly DegnanAges 4-7, Hardcover The youngest of ten children, Jesse grew up working in the cotton fields of Alabama. Discovered by his high school track and field coach, Jesse quickly rose to fame as an athlete. He went on the challenge racism on the world stage at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and made new world records. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the athlete and activist’s life. An ABC of EqualityBy Chana Ginelle EwingIllustrated by Paulina MorganAges 0-5, Board Book From A to Z, simple explanations accompanied by engaging artwork teach children about the world we live in and how to navigate our way through it. Each right-hand page includes a brightly decorated letter with the word it stands for and an encouraging slogan. On the left, a colorful illustration and bite-size text sum up the concept. Cheerful people from a range of backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities lead the way through the alphabet. Ella Queen of JazzBy Helen HancocksAges 4-8, Hardcover Ella Fitzgerald sang the blues and she sang them good. Ella and her fellas were on the way up! It seemed like nothing could stop her, until the biggest club in town refused to let her play… and all because of her color. But when all hope seemed lost, little did Ella imagine that a Hollywood star would step in to help. This is the incredible true story of how a remarkable friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe was born – and how they worked together to overcome prejudice and adversity. An inspiring story, strikingly illustrated, about the unlikely friendship between two celebrated female icons of America’s golden age. Rosa Parks (Little People, BIG DREAMS)By Lisbeth KaiserIllustrated by Marta AnteloAges 4-7, Hardcover Rosa Parks grew up in Alabama, where she learned to stand up for herself at an early age. Rosa went on to become a civil rights activist. In 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her courageous decision had a huge impact on civil rights, eventually leading to the end of segregation on public transport. She never stopped working for equal rights. Babies and toddlers will love to snuggle as you read to them the engaging story of this fascinating icon, and will also enjoy exploring the stylish and quirky illustrations of this sturdy board book on their own. Big Ideas For Young Thinkers: 20 Questions About Life and the UniverseBy Jamia WilsonIllustrated by Andrea PippinsAges 10-14, Hardcover This book teaches children to train their busy brains and think outside the box. Get lost for hours exploring puzzling questions that have stumped thinkers for years. More importantly, discover your truth by reading about a diverse range of thinkers. Drawing on influences from ancient Greeks right up to modern-day American writers, philosophy is re-imagined in this book. Relate to the real-life experiences, explore big ideas from a range of thinkers, and decide where you stand on the issue at hand. For example, try to recall your earliest memory. Can you remember a lot or a little? Do memories make us who we are? Or do we pick and choose them to suit who we are? This is a multi-layered book to be explored again and again, revealing new opinions on every read. 40 Inspiring Icons: Black Music GreatsBy Olivier CachinIllustrated by Jérôme MasiAges 7-10, Hardcover Meet the Godfather of Funk, the High Priestess of Soul, and the King of Reggae. Learn how Marvin Gaye shaped the sound of Motown, how N.W.A. redefined rap, and what made the Supremes, supreme. From Robert Johnson, who recorded one of the first examples of the blues in 1936, to rap superstar Drake, whose 2012 album Views spent 13 weeks at number one on the US Billboard 200, these are the 40 black artists to be listened to and learned about by all. Speak Up!: Speeches by young people to empower and inspireBy Adora SvitakIllustrated by Camila PinheiroAges 10+, Hardcover Speak Up! is a joyful celebration of 45 speeches by children and teenagers who have stood up for causes they passionately believe in and challenged adults in power to take note. This collection is testament to the hopefulness and spirit of the next generation, and the positive belief that we can, and should, act to protect the things we love. From ground-breaking scientific inventions to pleas for the environment, anti-war speeches to incredible testimony of lived experiences, the speeches collected here demonstrate the profound wisdom of youth and why it is important to speak up and out on what concerns us. Harriet Tubman (Little People, BIG DREAMS)By Maria Isabel Sanchez VegaraIllustrated by Pili AguadoAges 4-7, Hardcover Little Harriet was born into slavery on a plantation in Maryland. Though life was hard, Harriet persisted. She used all of her strength and bravery to escape slavery and journey north on the Underground Railroad. Harriet made the dangerous mission back to the South many times, fighting her whole life to bring others with her to freedom. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the abolitionist’s life. Step Into Your Power: 23 lessons on how to live your best lifeBy Jamia WilsonIllustrated by Andrea PippinsAges 9-12, Hardcover In this friendly guide, learn how to look after yourself, make good choices, get out of ruts, branch out, and ask for help. How do you overcome a setback? How do you cope when you or a family member gets sick? There’s self-care advice and activities on every page you can take and make your very own. Take this time to explore what it means to know and trust your insights and capabilities with stories, images, activities, resources and action prompts that you can interact with on your own time and, most importantly, on your terms. Someday Is Now: Clara Luper and the 1958 Oklahoma City Sit-insBy Olugbemisola Rhuday-PerkovichIllustrated by Jade JohnsonAges 6-9, Hardcover As a child, Clara Luper saw how segregation affected her life. When she grew up, Clara led the movement to desegregate Oklahoma stores and restaurants that were closed to African Americans. With courage and conviction, she led young people to “do what had to be done.” Perfect for early elementary age kids in encouraging them to do what is right and stand up for what is right, even at great cost, this is a powerful story about the power of nonviolent activism. Grandad MandelaBy Zindzi, Zazi and Ziwelene MandelaIllustrated by Sean QuallsAges 4-7, Hardcover Zazi and Ziwelene’s great-grandad is called Nelson Mandela. Once day, they ask their grandmother 15 questions about him and his life. As their conversation unfolds, Zazi and Ziwelene learn that Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter, a President, and a Nobel Peace Prize–winner, and that they can carry on his work today. 40 Inspiring Icons: People of Peace: Meet 40 amazing activistsBy Sandrine MirzaIllustrated by Le DuoAges 7-10, Hardcover Dreamers, leaders, fighters for our rights…meet 40 amazing activists for peace! Learn how Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela, and many others dedicated their lives to making the world a better place in this fact-packed book from the 40 Inspiring Icons series. Meet Albert Einstein, a Nobel Prize–winning physicist who used his fame to speak out against nuclear weapons; Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who stood up for the right to education and survived a gunshot wound to her head; and Pablo Picasso, who created extraordinary paintings to promote peace and raise awareness of the atrocities of war. These 40 incredible people each changed the world in their own unique, and peaceful, way. Jean-Michel Basquiat (Little People, BIG DREAMS)By Maria Isabel Sanchez VegaraIllustrated by Luciano LozanoAges 4-7, Hardcover When he was little, Muhammad Ali had his bicycle stolen. He wanted to fight the thief, but a policeman told him him to learn how to box first. After training hard in the gym, Muhammad developed a strong jab and an even stronger work ethic. His smart thinking and talking earned him the greatest title in boxing: Heavyweight Champion of the World. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of “The Greatest’s” life. Share article facebook twitter google pinterest If you have any comments on this article please contact us or get in touch via social media.
