They act as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors where children can see both themselves and the experiences of others.They can help to develop self confidence and empathy.

If you only ever read books by people who look like you and who live like you, that’s intellectual poverty because you don’t ever see into the life of someone else from their perspective. – Michelle H. Martin

How do you choose diverse books for children?

There are lots of book lists recommending diverse children’s books. We Need Diverse Books has collected many together on their Where to Find Diverse Books webpage.

Diversifying Your Classroom Book Collections? Avoid these 7 Pitfalls gives tips to help you prevent:

• Showing only suffering
• Surface-level diversity
• Ignoring intersectionality
• Sidekick syndrome
• Treating groups as monoliths
• Excluding #OwnVoices
• Stopping at the Text

It also offers book suggestions for picture books, middle grades and young adults.

What do you do when you realize classic children’s books are racist?

What about childhood favourites with questionable attitudes and themes?

Here’s advice from children’s book author, Grace Lin, on how you can keep loving favourite classics while acknowledging harmful parts.