Creating a Multicultural Library for Littles
“And when we love one another, the pieces of God’s heart are made whole.”
— Archbishop Desmond Tutu, God’s Dream
Mirrors and Windows
Imagine taking your child to the library in search of some good reads. You seek wonderful child heroes and inspiring stories your son or daughter can imagine themselves a part of. The problem is, most of the stories are about children of another race, another culture, another life. Leaving your child struggling to find a connection—much less the ability to see themselves as a hero.
That is the “Windows” side of a literary concept called “Mirrors and Windows”—a concept I was unaware of until 2017. Why? I never had to be. I am white. But thanks to some incredibly wise women of color around me, I have begun to see things differently. And especially on our bookshelf at home. So let’s talk about it.
First, let’s talk about the fact I’m nervous to write on this topic—to the point I haven’t published this until 2022. I am not an educator, nor a person of color. However, I am a white mommy, armed with a library card. I’ve had an ache in my heart since learning about Mirrors and Windows, and am ready to take action—starting with our home library. I have spent hours on blogs, publisher sites, book reviews, Amazon, and the library. I have poured over these adorable books, laughed, cried, and learned so much. Here I go.
Quick History
“If we all could really see each other, exactly as the other is, this would be a different world.”
— Ezra Jack Keats, award-winning author/illustator of Snowy Day
It’s been over fifty years since Ezra Jack Keats won a Caldecott award for Snowy Day, in 1963. His creation of beloved Peter and the subsequent anthology has stood the test of time, inspiring the next gen of multicultural authors and illustrators.
“I definitely remember flipping through the pages of various Keats books as a child. His influence came later, as I was looking for my own voice in illustration. ...Most of all, I’m inspired by the way his work represents children of all colors in a manner that is accessible to everyone.”
— Christian Robinson, award-winning author/illustrator
Sadly, since the success of Snowy Day, the supply of children’s multicultural books remained dismal for over fifty years. Publishing giants held the belief that only “white hero” books were profitable. That is, until Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson’s Last Stop on Market Street, won the 2016 Newbery Medal, shocking the literary world. Thankfully, the floodgates for multicultural books have since burst open. Unfortunately, it’s too late for past generations of young readers to benefit from them. We must do better.
Our List
Below is a collection of multicultural books in our home library. Excellent for ages 2-10. These serve as a starter kit—to help families embrace a beautiful spectrum of heroes. It’s important to me that Caucasians are included in the list, to complete the full spectrum of color. However, the majority of heroes are POC. I’m continuously adding to this list as new options have flooded the book world. Recommendations welcome!
Top Pick:
The Skin You Live In
by Michael J. Tyler
The Skin You Live In was the single greatest book I read when doing research. (Thank you, Karenna Rowenhorst for the recommendation.) This is a poem in book form—a must-read for every nightstand. If every man, woman, and child took this book to heart, the world would be a very different place.
Mirrors and Windows Collection
Each book features a child of color as the hero. Each hero faces a challenge to overcome.
Early Sunday Morning
Jabari Jumps
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole
Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding
Thunder Boy Jr.
The Dot
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do
The Most Magnificent Thing
Ada Twist the Scientist
Keats Neighborhood
(still adding...)
Faith-based (African-American)
When Daddy Prays
He’s got the whole world in his Hands
Psalm Twenty Three
The Lord’s Prayer
Books for First Conversations about Race & Culture
The Skin You Live In
Can I Touch Your Hair?
Why Am I Me?
God’s Dream
This is How We Do It
History
Henrys Freedom Box
Moses
Heart and Soul (we have not read, but love Kadir Nelson’s work)
Looking at Lincoln
(still adding...)
Notable authors/illustrators we love
Rachel Isadora, Christian Robinson, Julie Mostad, Kadir Nelson, Ezra Jack Keats, Oliver Jeffers, Matt de la Peña, Matt Lamothe, Tim Ludwig
More work to be done
Today, there are many, many incredible reads available. This is our starter kit for our home. We are committed to raising our boys to embrace the handsome, caucasian identity God has given them. And to love, honor, and cherish the world around them. May we continue to learn from and lift up each other. God bless!
