When you buy books for your child, are you balancing fiction and nonfiction? Are there contemporary themes and classic themes? Are the protagonists representative of more than one gender?

Christine Dwyer, Grades JK-6 Language Arts Department Chair at Flint Hill, discusses these questions and more as we explore how you can create an inclusive library for your young readers at home.

At Flint Hill, our core values include respecting all equally. We believe a culturally inclusive classroom is one where students and teachers alike recognize, appreciate and capitalize on diversity so as to enrich the overall learning experience. Fostering a culturally inclusive learning environment encourages all individuals to develop effective intercultural skills.

We are intentional about selecting books and texts for our school and classroom libraries. We choose books that are reflective of experiences from various perspectives, images that counter stereotypes and stories that normalize and value differences at developmentally appropriate levels.

When you are building your home library for your child, here are a few questions to consider:

• Are you balancing fiction and nonfiction books?
• Is there a balance between contemporary themes and classic themes?
• Are the protagonists representative of more than one gender?
• Are you selecting books with ethnically diverse protagonists?
• Are you selecting books that offer different perspectives and ways of living?
• Is there a diversity of authors reflected in your library?

Let me share a few of my favorites with you:

• The Color Monster by Anna Llenas is a colorfully illustrated picture book that also uses figurative language to help readers identify and understand a range of familiar emotions.
• Pies from Nowhere by Dee Romito, illustrated by Laura Freeman, introduces readers to Georgia Gilmore’s inspiring contribution to the Montgomery Bus Boycott during the Civil Rights Movement. This book also serves as an important reminder that picture books can resonate with and educate both children and adults — making them accessible to everyone!
• The Academy by T.Z. Layton is perfect for soccer fans, sports enthusiasts, or anyone who can relate to a player striving to become an accomplished and dedicated athlete. As part of a series, it makes it easy to dive into the next book.
• Starfish by Lisa Fipps tells the story of Ellie, a young person dealing with body shaming from classmates and even family members. This novel explores themes of self-love, belonging, and friendship. Written in verse, it’s fast-paced and engaging.
• The Secret Garden on 81st Street by Ivy Noelle Weir and Amber Padilla is a modern graphic novel adaptation of the classic The Secret Garden. Set in New York City, this version touches on timeless themes like kindness, grief, and love, making it a great choice for fans of graphic novels.

Thanks so much for your interest in curating inclusive books to enrich your home library!