BOOKSHELF
PARENT TALK READING LIST The co-owner of University City’s EyeSeeMe bookstore shares antiracism literature picks. BY COURTNEY SCOTT
Having conversations with children about race has never been
more important. EyeSeeMe, a bookstore in University City, holds one of the largest collections of African-American–focused children’s literature in the United States. Owners Jeffrey and Pamela Blair, who are parents themselves, provide educators and organizations with resources for curriculum. Their nonprofit arm of the business, The EyeSeeMe Foundation, gives books to low-income families in an effort to increase childhood literacy in underserved communities, share African-American history, and increase respect for diverse cultures. Jeffrey shares some of his favorite antiracism picture books for young children.
WOKE BABY
LET’S TALK ABOUT RACE
THE UNDEFEATED
BY MAHOGANY L. BROWNE ILLUSTRATED BY THEODORE TAYLOR III
BY JULIUS LESTER ILLUSTRATED BY KAREN BARBOUR
BY KWAME ALEXANDER ILLUSTRATED BY KADIR NELSON
Roaring Brook Press
HarperCollins Publishers
AGES 0-3
AGES 4-8
Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media
A lyrical board book with bright, playful art is a solid baby shower pick, but the uplifting message in this one makes it especially timely. “This book follows a waking baby throughout the day with progressive affirmations that a WOKE baby is empowered to fight for justice and change the world.”
This picture book for the entire family includes thought-provoking concepts that are accompanied by dynamic paintings to keep even the youngest readers engaged. “This book does a great job of discussing the concepts of race and racism by utilizing the concept of a story. The author notes that stories are all around us but some stories are true while others are not. This book helps children become critical thinkers by not accepting every story they hear as true.”
AGES 6-9
Want more titles?
Find Jeffrey’s complete list of 15 mustread books for all ages at stlmag.com.
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family / stlmag.com
Winner of the Caldecott Medal in 2020, this poem seamlessly translates to a picture book. “The book takes you through the journey of Black people in America over the past 400 years. Utilizing the captivating illustrations of Kadir Nelson, the reader is taken through a rollercoaster of emotions. It is done in such a respectful manner that you are left with pride and admiration for the resilience and ingenuity of an undefeated people.”
Educator and author of a Washington Post essay on discussing racism in the classroom, Erika Whitfield shares how parents can have conversations with kids about current events. “It's tough, because I am a parent, too, and my son is 7 years old and he’s asking me about the man who was killed by the police. I can’t say to him, ‘You’ll never be put in that situation.’ I have to find a balance for my young son to explain to him that, ‘These bad things are happening. They shouldn't be happening, but I will try to protect you.’ On the other hand, with my daughter, who is 13, the conversations are a little bit more realistic and more sophisticated. She has some historical context. It's really important that parents are honest, based on [the child's] age and maturity, because kids are going to get this information.”
FYI
Whitfield recommends middle schoolers read A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
9/28/20 8:35 AM
