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Very recently, I told Theron to pick some books out from the bookshelf. On this particular
I read each of the books to him. Although he is only three, he felt for the characters. He saw me cry and was
Although he is still young and does not really understand what the books are talking about, he does understand “nice” and “mean.” He knows that it wasn’t “nice” to make that little boy cry in the picture. He wanted to comfort the little boy who did not look like him and this is where teaching your kids about equality starts.
Talking to our kids about civil rights is important for so many reasons, and picture books on civil rights is a great way to do it. It’s important for children of privilege to read to understand that others have had to fight for what they have. It is important for white children to see the strength and the courage of those who had everything against them. It’s important for children of color to see how so many before them sacrificed so much for their rights. It’s important for everyone to feel empathy for others and see how easily hate can take over.
Using Picture Books to Teach Difficult Topics
But how do you talk about such hard subjects with your kids? Isn’t it better to shield them?
Well, in my opinion, no. When they see hate, I want my kids to be able to recognize that it’s wrong. When they hear an old relative talk about “well you know how THOSE people can be…” I want it to stick out to them and sound wrong instead of subtly cause them to hold similar prejudices
As you know about me, my favorite way to teach my children is through literature. Reading books helps children see what you are trying to teach them and understand on a deeper level. My children do not have to deal with treatment based on their skin and most likely won’t in the future. Telling them that it happens will not be as meaningful as connecting with a character in picture books on civil rights and feeling their pain with them.
I can say, “Some people treat people badly because of their skin color,” and they might say, “Oh, that’s not nice.” But they probably won’t think much more on it, because it’s not something they deal with. This is why using picture books on civil rights is so important.
There are many picture books out there with beautiful stories of courage and strength that help teach about civil rights. Here are some great ideas of children’s books and picture books on the civil rights that you might enjoy reading to your children.
Meet Addy (and the Addy Collection) from American Girls by Connie Porter
I put these books first because they are very dear to me. Really, all of the American Girl books from when I was a kid are special to me.
I have memories of reading these books with my mom. As a child, I was just struck by the strength of Addy and her mother. I remember trying to imagine life in slavery and not knowing if you would be with your parents always or if they would be sent away.
The American Girls series are great for learning about different times in our history. I LOVED reading them as a child and I would read an entire series in a night. Each girl is in a different important era of our country where big changes were taking place: revolution, women’s suffrage, Civil Rights, etc.
Meet Addy is the first book in her series. It takes place in the south during a time of slavery. Addy and her mother take the underground railroad and escape to the north.
Throughout the series they start to make a life for themselves in the north but still have many hardships and confront racism and fear. Because it is focused on a child’s life, it helps kids make a connection with history.
Grandaddy’s Gift by Margaree King Mitchell
Another beautiful story of African-American civil rights, this story takes place in Mississippi in a time when there were still many laws keeping African-Americans from voting.
This story is told in the point of view of a little girl. She tells her Grandaddy’s story of how he tried to register to vote. He took the difficult test that was meant to keep him from getting to register and passed.
He was met with a lot of opposition from everyone, even friends. The girl had no friends because they were told not to play with her, but she learned that what he was doing was important. She learned to stand up for her rights even when it is scary.
Picture books on civil rights like this are good because it shows regular people doing something to make a difference. The man in the story was not a very educated man. He was a farmer who took a test and made a difference.
At the end the little girl recalls her 18th birthday when she registered to vote. She didn’t have to take a test but filled out a paper. Her grandaddy was there.
When Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan
This is the story of Marian Anderson. Her inspiring journey to becoming a known, classical singer with the Metropolitan Opera despite being told that “We don’t take colored” at the music school.
She ended up studying in Europe. She performed all over Europe, with great applause. When she came home, America still would not accept her. Finally, through many protests and struggles, she sang at the Lincoln Memorial. She went on and sang for presidents, kings, queens, prime ministers, and finally for the Metropolitan Opera!
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco
As a fourth grade teacher, I always read this book before our civil war unit. I always cried. Every. Single. Time. I’ve never been able to read it without crying. Many students also cried.
Nothing I had ever taught them ever made them see or understand the magnitude of what we were talking about. But books, like this one, they moved them. They understood.
This book is a story of the Civil War. It’s the story of a Union
Heroes for Civil Rights by David A. Adler
This book is a list of heroes who made a difference in our history for civil rights. Each person did something to stand up and make change.
The book teaches about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks but also many others that don’t get talked about a lot.
Gandhi: A March to the Sea by Alice B. McGinty
I don’t think a lot of kids really know who Gandhi was. I think also many of our kids forget that there are places other than America. Other countries and groups of people have had hardships. Many places are still fighting for the basic rights that we enjoy here in America.
I like reading picture books on civil rights from other countries or about all different people.
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull
Theron really likes this one. The illustrations, as you can see are beautiful.
Harvesting Hope is about the life of Cesar Chavez. It starts with his memories of a happy life on his large ranch. His family was not poor or struggling until draught came and they lost the ranch. Then they lost everything.
He and his family worked on farms for next to nothing. They were mistreated and taken advantage of. They were not allowed to speak their own language.
There is a part in the book where Cesar accidentally speaks Spanish at school. He is punished and humiliated. They make him wear a sign that says, “I am a clown. I speak Spanish.”
This is the part that I have trouble reading through my tears. What is the worst is that this is not so far
Working with a high Hispanic population and teaching many students who have come to America with NO English… This breaks my heart.
Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt’s Treasured Books by Susan L. Roth
This book is another great way to open up conversation with your child about civil rights, freedom of speech, and protest. In Egypt, people were angry about how they were treated. The Alexandria Library was a symbol of freedom to many.
With all of the violence and unrest, people surrounded the library, holding hands to protect it.
The importance of knowledge and how precious it is can be discussed here. In so many times of oppression, the privilege of reading was the first thing to go. The Nazis burned books, the white
The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark by Carmen Agra Deedy
This story is technically just a legend. The author puts in a note about how after much research, there is no real evidence that it happened. It’s still a beautiful story.
The legend says that the Nazis came to Denmark and said that all the Jews must wear a yellow star. Many knew that identifying the Jews with a star was a first step and that worse would come.
The legend of King Christian is important because Christian was not in danger himself from the Nazis. He did not have to wear a Star of David. However, he wore a star himself and inspired everyone to wear a star as well. The Jewish people were not identifiable because everyone had a star, not just them.
As a white mother, with children who are Asian/white but pretty much look white, this book and others like it are important. It is good for them to see the oppressed people stand up and be brave for their rights, but my children need to know it’s up to them too, even if they aren’t the oppressed. It’s not just up to the people that feel the oppression to stand up.
The Flag We Love by Pam Muñoz Ryan
This book serves as a reminder. The flag is supposed to represent freedom. It is a symbol of hope and peace.
This book brought tears to my eyes, because as a child I believed so strongly in this America. As an adult I still see that we are not there yet.
As
What Are Your Favorite Picture Books on Civil Rights?
Are there any children’s books or picture books on civil rights that mean a lot to you?
If you liked, “Picture Books on Civil Rights” you might also like:
These are all really great suggestions. I had the Addy American Doll books when I was younger and loved reading them. Can’t wait to share some of your suggestions with my daughter.
I’m glad you liked the suggestions! I loved all the American Girls growing up! I still love them.
We LOVE books! Some of the books I have read, but there are some others my kiddos and I need to check out! What a great post. ♡ Thank you so much for sharing!
This is such a great book and it’s obvious that you are so passionate about this topic! I want to read all of your suggestions! Side note, I also adored all of the American Girl books!
This is an amazing collection you have! We also love The Story of Ruby Bridges in our house. We even had an opportunity to listen to her speak and attend a book signing event and meet her in person. It was truly inspiring to be in the presence of someone who LIVED and THRIVED during this time period of radical change and upheaval.
Wow! That’s amazing. She was such a brave little girl! To think of all the awful things she went through to stand up for change…
Great book list for kids! Thanks!
I’m glad you liked it!
Most of these I have read and they are some great reads here! Thank you!
Thank you!
Great Post, I feel like we are finally moving in the right direction as people, but it will take time. If only we could fast forward. I think when our kids are old, we will be in a much better place. What we teach our kids really count.
I hope that you are right about that! It will take teaching the right way. What makes it so hard is that while so many are trying to teach their kids acceptance and love many others are still teaching hate to theirs…
What font are you using on your website? I love it.It is very easy to read.
Oh, thank you! It’s Pompiere.
I love reading. And will surely check these ones out. Thank you for sharing!
I just love this post! I have used American Girl books with both my girls to teach a variety of things. I love knowing someone else does too!!! I use them to teach a lot about culture and our ancestors.
I would go through my phases. When I was reading about Felicity I was obsessed with practicing my handwriting and learning how to cross stitch (I got pretty good :P). After reading the Josephina books I was all about learning Spanish. And now as I’m listing these, I’m realizing how much those books shaped my interests… huh… I have a house that was built in 1888 with Victorian furniture that I can probably say was Samantha’s doing….. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
What a wonderful selection of books, thank you for the detailed list. I’ve added it to a gift list for my grandaughters, thank you! 🙂
Great post and wonderful book suggestions. I noted a couple of them to try to find in the library. I agree that books are helpful in talking to children about difficult topics. I have read a few books to my kids when I just wasn’t sure how to handle certain situations. I think the point is that it opens up conversation and let them feel like they can talk to me about it.
These are all great books for kids! I read many of them with my kids when I was homeschooling. We loved the Addy books and all the American Girl books! Oh how I miss those days!
I really loved the Addy collection from American Girl. I love how their details paint such a clear picture.
You put a lot of thought and effort into this which I appreciate. Thank you!
This is a great list of books for a very important topic! Some of these I have heard of, and some I have not. I will be looking into the ones that I haven’t read, and I am excited to share them with my son! 🙂
That’s so great! I hope you enjoy them!
Love this! Even when I was a middle school teacher, I used picture books to introduce new topics and inspire my students to do further research. This will be great stories to share with my own children now.
Absolutely! A lot of people don’t realize that there are picture books that are great for older students.
I love using books to show my kids different times in history. The pictures really help them understand!
Great suggestions. I think literature is a wonderful way to introduce children to new ideas and concepts. It opens doors for further discussions and learning experiences.
A great collection. Thank you for sharing.
These are all amazing stories! I can’t wait to share them with my daughter and son. What age(s) do you recommend introducing these books?
These are all mid to upper elementary level books. My kids, 3 and 1, still enjoy listening to them and looking at the illustrations. My 3-year-old has started picking up on the events in the story. That is the beauty of reading aloud to your kids! I don’t think you can introduce them too early. They might not take everything in but there are so many benefits to reading to your children from varying levels of books.
Fantastic list!!! It’s so important for kids to learn about this stuff.
Great choices to start their understanding early!
These all look amazing! Wish we had books like this when I was a kid!
It may sound silly to some, but the books I remember the most are the ones with quality pictures in them.
Great book list for kids. Thank you!
These are great resources for kids! Thanks for compiling the list.
“When they see hate, I want my kids to be able to recognize that it’s wrong.” I love this so much, and really appreciate the book recommendations of how to show this to them. Thank you, I don’t know if this is a topic I would have thought to teach to them at such a young age.
Thank you. Yes I think that people often don’t want to talk to their kids about it because kids naturally don’t have prejudice. They see a kid and want to play with them. The worry is that then you will bring it to their mind when it wasn’t there. The quote you used is exactly why I think we have to be proactive about talking to our kids about prejudice. Kids are very impressionable. I want them to already have a strong understanding of what hate is and that it’s wrong before anyone tries to teach them otherwise.
This is a tremendous list of books to read - especially for parents to read TO and WITH their kiddos.
Fantastic collection of books. I will look for them to share with my grandson. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful collection of books! Great post!
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it!
Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it!
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