Favorite Books About Diversity for Young Kids
Sadly, our world is full of stories of conflict related to racism or stereotyping. Racism is like a socially transmitted disease – and one that we have the power to help prevent. As a parent, it can feel daunting to explain this to our children, but it’s important to try.
How can we as parents be – and help our kids become – part of the solution? Two of the best ways to start are by having conversations and reading books with our kids.
Talk with your kids about diversity
Babies and children notice racial differences earlier than one might think. Young children ask great questions about the differences they see in people around them. They might say “Why is he in a wheelchair?” or “Why is she wearing a scarf on her head?” It’s important to answer their questions, have conversations whenever possible, and continue having them frequently. This lets your kids know it’s OK to ask questions and that this topic isn’t off-limits but welcomed. It can be helpful for us as adults to practice having these conversations too.
Read books with your kids about diversity
Kids learn well through stories by connecting with the characters. The narratives we’re told shape how we see and treat each other. Through the power of stories, we can help counter stereotypes, encourage empathy, and challenge racism and xenophobia (a fear of or prejudice towards those from other countries). As an adult, you can set a good example by showing acceptance of people who are different from you and modeling curiosity and empathy for others.
I read books with my kids every day, and we spend a lot of time at our local library. We look for books about children from a variety of cultures, including those we’re familiar with and those we’re new to learning about. Over time, I’ve found many books that have helped us learn, grow, and have more open and targeted discussions.
Here are a few of my favorite books for reading together as a family:
Our Skin: A First Conversation about Race by Madison, Ralli et al
Think Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
May We Have Enough to Share by Richard Van Camp
The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K Ali
Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind
Birdsong by Julie Flett
We are the Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho
Resources for Parents:
The Conscious Kid
Book lists
Embrace Race
Embrace Race Podcast
American Academy of Pediatrics
Using Books to Talk With Kids About Race and Racism
Talking to Children About Racial Bias
Featured Author
Dr. Van Den Haak's biography reads:
I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I worked for two years at Stanford doing cancer clinical trials before starting medical school. After finishing Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles in 2011, I was excited to move back to where I belong! Almost every job I've had since high school has involved children, so it was no surprise to my family that I ended up in Pediatrics. I completed my residency training at Children's Hospital and Research in Oakland.
Some of my favorite parts of my job are getting to know families and watching children grow up. I love that pediatric medicine is very different from adult medicine, and I feel that it takes a special skill set to be a pediatrician. With new pediatric research coming out all the time, I work hard to stay up to date in a field that is changing rapidly.
I chose to work at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara because I want to work in and with a diverse population. It is a special privilege for me to work with Spanish-speaking families as well as those who speak my native language of English.
When I'm not at work, I love to go hiking or camping and see any of the beautiful places we're lucky enough to have here in California. I love to cook and travel, read and do arts and crafts. Read more: https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/providers/ericavandenhaak Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.