We were gifted 6 copies of the children’s book A is for Activist when I was pregnant with our kid. So when I come across a progressive parent who has not heard of that book, I am admittedly surprised . . . Until I remind myself that I live in a Brooklyn bubble.
From the day our Sun came home from the hospital, we have read to him at minimum 3 books a night. He has more children’s books than toys. And yes, I realize all the cliches and stereotypes about Brooklyn and/or South-Asian-American parents have just reared their obnoxious heads. And, this is our truth.
Books were my salvation, joy and escape during childhood and they still are. Plus, I was recently identified as a bibliobibuli, so I’m just gonna lean in and claim it all with 0 shame.
After a few community requests, I put together a list of 100 progressive children’s books that center Own Voices authors. This list includes James Baldwin’s only children’s book that has just been published for the first time in 40 years! Enjoy!
Caveats, warnings, fine print
- This list is in no way exhaustive, please add recs in the comments;
- Having said that, there are some books that I kept out on purpose and am happy to discuss why;
- Age ranges are subjective and limiting so they are not included. For example, my 3.5 yr old has always enjoyed books that do not comport to his age. . . You all know your own kids, they are limitless, go with your gut;
- I recommend Indie Bound as a way to find books from your local independent bookstore. My favorites are Greenlight Bookstore and Center for Fiction, both located in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn. Yet Indie Bound is not always on point. There have been many books that have not appeared to be locally available on the Indie Bound site, but then I’ll go to the bookstore and the book is there (just happened last week);
- Before someone @ me about using Amazon links, I want to be clear about why I did: 1) Some of these radical children’s books are self-published and are only available on Amazon because of this, this and more. 2) I think the descriptions and comments can be useful in choosing books. 3) We are living in a global pandemic and I don’t know where people are located, so I’m trying to be useful and realistic;
- The list is ordered alphabetically.
