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15 Anti-Racist Children's Books Perfect For You And Your Kid Because Nobody Is Born Racist

You don't even have to be a parent to read them.

Jennifer Kustanovich

Jun 04, 2020

The State University of New York at Stony Brook

1989

15 Anti-Racist Children's Books Perfect For You And Your Kid Because Nobody Is Born Racist

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My guilty pleasure is watching family vlog channels on YouTube and I'm so proud of each and every parent who makes an effort to read anti-racist books to their kids. The racial injustice spread across America and across the oceans is unbearable. It's about time we raise the following generations to be better.

We can't be silent or pretend it's not an issue. And, I'm thrilled to know that many anti-racist children's books are quickly selling out.

I'm not a parent just yet and I don't have any clue what it's like, but I plan on showing my kids how to spread love and kindness because that's what we all deserve. I want to support conversations about race and racism with everyone, including little kids who are eager and curious to learn.

Even babies as young as 6 months can recognize a difference in skin color and even before kids can talk, they learn the injustices of their parent's actions. If you've ever spent some time with a toddler, you know that they will say whatever is on their mind and they don't understand a snippet of sarcasm. They will also repeat everything you say, so it's important to first recognize your own mishaps.

Babies are not born racist, racism is taught and it's up to you, their guardian, to smash any stereotypes before they begin.

As parents, you must figure out when the best time to bring up this conservation is for your child, but know that there are many sources to help you. It's time to educate yourself and prepare for all the difficult conversations to come. Read all the grown-up books and children's books about racism and other topics because you can learn from them all.

Here are 16 children's books to read to your baby tonight or just for yourself to help shape the future of tomorrow:

"Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super Soaking Stream of Inventions" –Chris Barton

Amazon

Buy now for $12.99.

"The Day You Begin" – Jacqueline Woodson

Amazon

Grab it now for $11.39.

"Let's Talk About Race" – Julius Lester

Amazon

Buy it now for $9.44.

"Separate is Never Equal" – Sylvia Mendez & Her Family's Fight For Desegregation

Amazon

Get it now for $9.99.

"My Hair is a Garden" – Cozbi A. Cabrera

Amazon

Purchase it now for $9.99.

"Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History" – Vashti Harrison

Amazon

Buy now for $32.99.

"Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History" – Vashti Harrison

Amazon

Read it now for $32.99.

"The Colors of Us" – Karen Katz

Amazon

Buy it now for $10.88.

"Rosa" – Nikki Giovanni

Amazon

Grab it now for $6.54.

"Hair Love" – Matthew A. Cherry

Amazon

Purchase it now for $10.96.

"Something Happened In Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice" – Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard

Amazon

Buy it now for $10.40.

"AntiRacist Baby" – Ibram X. Kendi

Amazon

Purchase it now for $8.99.

"The Skin I'm In: A First Look at Racism" – Pat Thomas

Amazon

Read it now for $29.90.

"A is for Activist" – Innosanto Nagara

Amazon

Buy it now for $17.95.

"The Snowy Day" – Ezra Jack Keats

Amazon

Grab it now for $13.39.

As an Amazon Associate, Odyssey may earn a portion of qualifying sales.

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15 Anti-Racist Children's Books Perfect For You And Your Kid Because Nobody Is Born Racist

You don't even have to be a parent to read them.

We can't be silent or pretend it's not an issue. And, I'm thrilled to know that many anti-racist children's books are quickly selling out.

Babies are not born racist, racism is taught and it's up to you, their guardian, to smash any stereotypes before they begin.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

Coors Light Summer Brew:

Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat

Sam Adams Summer Ale

Hell or High Watermelon

Blue Moon Summer Honey

LandShark Lager

Corona

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

Perfect Weather

You'll get an effortless tan

You can exercise with a view

You don't have to worry about bug bites

In n Out all day, every day

We have outdoor concerts

We live where people vacation

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

1. “Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside. It's where my demons hide.”

2. “Tonight, we are young.”

3. “Cuz I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it.”

4. “Tell me how they got that pretty little face on that pretty little frame.”

5. “I can’t wait to fall in love with you, you can’t wait to fall in love with me.”

6. “Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin with no makeup on.”

7. “Why you so obsessed with me?”

8. “We ain’t ever getting older.”

9. “I didn’t know that I was starving until I tasted you.”

10. “Didn’t they tell you I’m a savage?"

11. “I’m gonna make you miss me.”

12. "Cheers to the freakin weekend.”

13. “Love’s a game. Wanna play?”

14. “You don’t know about me, but I bet you want to.”

15. “Let’s set each other’s lonely nights, Be each other’s paradise.”

16. “Trippin’ on skies, sippin’ waterfalls."

17. “Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days.”

18. “But you will remember me for centuries.”

19. “Something about you makes me feel like a dangerous woman."

20. “Don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me.”

21. “Darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.”

22. “Find me where the wild things are.”

23. “I’m high on lovin’ you.”

24. “If you’re gonna be somebody’s heartbreak, somebody’s mistake, if you’re gonna be somebody’s first time, somebody’s last time, be mine.”

25. “Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled on.”

Everything Bruce says in his classic rock songs.

1. "Talk about a dream Try to make it real You wake up in the night With a fear so real Spend your life waiting For a moment that just don't come Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)

2. "It's a town full of losers/ I'm pulling out of here to win" (Thunder Road)

3. "You've got to learn to live with what you can't rise above" (Tunnel of Love)

4. "I got something in my heart/ I been waitin' to give/ I got a life I wanna start/ One I been waitin' to live" (Leah)

5. “God have mercy on the man/ Who doubts what he’s sure of” (Brilliant Disguise)

7. “Is a dream a lie when it don’t come true, or is it something worse?” (The River)

Why you should spend your next summer in New England.

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1. "Talk about a dream
Try to make it real
You wake up in the night
With a fear so real
Spend your life waiting
For a moment that just don't come
Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)