Notes: Selecting Diverse Books

Importance of Diverse Books

• Representation Matters:
  • Essential to select books that authentically represent various cultures, lifestyles, and experiences.
  • Books should empower students and allow them to see themselves and learn about others.
  • Ensure books are free from harmful stereotypes.

Key Questions for Book Selection

• How are characters represented?
• Whose perspectives are included or excluded?
• Reflect on own readiness to teach diverse cultures.

Publishing Industry Insights

• Power Dynamics:
  • Publishers hold significant power over what gets published and how stories are presented.
  • Predominantly white, cisgender, heteronormative, able-bodied influence.
• Need for Diversity in Publishing:
  • More diverse decision-makers needed.

Representation Continuum

• Types of Books:
  • Slice of Life: Normalizes diverse life experiences without focusing on diversity.
    • Examples: Layla’s Happiness, Granddad’s Camper, Being Home.
  • Conflict: Diversity as a central conflict; addresses acts of othering.
    • Examples: What Happened to You, Big, I Love My Curly Hair.
  • Sociopolitical Statements: Includes political or social messages about systemic issues.
    • Examples: We Are Water Protectors, The Other Side.
  • Activism and Advocacy: Similar to sociopolitical but includes a call to action.

Additional Book Types

• Subversive Postmodern Picture Books:
  • Challenge societal norms and traditional storytelling.
  • Elements include chaos, nonlinear text, characters breaking the fourth wall.

Classroom Application

• Evaluate where books fit on the continuum.
• Encourage students to defend their reasoning for book categorization.
• Aim for a balanced collection of diverse book types in themed text sets or projects.