National Children’s Book Week Nov. 8-14, 2021
Anyone who grew up reading Roald Dahl books will be familiar with one of his most renowned characters, Matilda. The young, neglected child genius who finds comfort in the world of books. The author famously wrote “The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people”. Since its publication, Dahl has reminded children and adults universally about the power that reading holds, its ability to inspire and how it allows people of all ages to relate to similar past experiences in their lives. Which is one of the reasons why it is crucial that children of all ages are continuously encouraged to read widely. This November marks the second week of this year’s National Children’s Book week, a chance to celebrate new and old children’s books and an opportunity to continue to raise awareness about increasing diversity within the children’s books market.
What is National Children’s Book week and how did it start?
National Children’s book week is one of the longest running national literacy initiatives in the USA with a rich history of encouraging children to develop good reading habits. It has been running for over 100 years, starting in 1919, set up by a librarian of the Boy Scouts of America who believed that “a great nation is a reading nation”. Since its founding, the initiative has continued to grow and be supported by more organizations, including the Children’s Book council. This initiative runs yearly with two weeks dedicated across two calendar months to celebrate and encourage child literacy. This year’s first week began 3rd -9th May 2021 and its final week will be running from November 8th-14th 2021. Across the country, events will be taking place in bookstores, libraries and schools to introduce children to the world of reading. So get out to your community and let us know how you’re celebrating!
Why childhood literacy is important?
You may be familiar with the famous quote by children’s author Dr. Seuss “The more that you read, the more things you will know” which in fact is of true scientific fact rather than just an old myth told to young children to encourage them to read. In many scientific studies, it was continuously proven that children who regularly read books performed better compared to their peers who did not. These children are shown to have an increased vocabulary, can better express themselves, and are likely to have a better imagination. One study conducted in 1995 by American education researchers Betty Hart and her colleague Todd R. Risley highlighted how children from lower socio-economic backgrounds were more likely to develop literacy problems, especially if they were not encouraged to read books at home. Which is why initiatives like the National children’s book week continue to prove themselves as essential. Reading is not just a vital life skill; it also allows children to shape their feelings and attitudes towards the world around them. Which brings me to my next point.
Why is it important that there is variety and diversity in children’s stories?
Children’s stories are the first step a child takes when beginning to learn to read and discover literature for themselves. There is no doubt that the benefits of reading from a young age, allow children to later progress to whatever path they may lead to in their career. However, because of the power that these stories hold to transform and shape children’s understanding of our world and society, it remains an important discourse in the children’s literature sector, that diverse authors, characters and stories are on a larger scale included. As Elena Monoyiou and Simoni Symeonidou found in their study of diversity in literature, diverse stories and characters allows gender and ethnic stereotypes to be dismantled and to empower children of all backgrounds to believe they can achieve anything, and most importantly to grow up believing in a kind and tolerant world.
Although over the years diversity has increased in children’s literature, there is still much work to be done. The New York Times recently reported that 21 percent of children’s books published in 2016 featured characters of color. However, the US Department of Education reported that in the US children of color made up 49 percent of the child population, demonstrating still a major underrepresentation of our diverse society.
It is one of the reasons why the Cooperative Children’s Book Center has been carrying out surveys on the diversity of the Children’s literature for over twenty years. In their 2018 report it was found that out of all the children’s books published:
Authors of color:
Black/African: 11.9%
First/Native Nations: 1%
Asian/Asian American: 8.7%
Latinx: 5.3%
Pacific Islander: 0.05%
Children’s books with written or illustrated characters of color:
Black/African: 46.4%
First/Native Nations: 68.2%
Asian/Asian American: 100%
Latinx: 95.7%
Pacific Islander: 80%
Data on books by and about Black, Indigenous and People of Color published for children and teens compiled by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
For more information, please head over to the CCBC’s website: https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/literature-resources/ccbc-diversity-statistics/books-by-and-or-about-poc-2018/
A short, non-exhaustive list of children’s books featuring characters of color:
OUR VERY OWN: Callaloo Books children’s book series by Marjuan Canady
A Jazz Folktale story of a young inner-city boy, Winston, who meets mythical folkloric characters after being transported to magical places in the world.
We’re going to find a Monster by Malorie Blackman and Dapo Adeola
Two adventurers who transform their house into a wild wonderland and embark on a journey to hunt a mighty monster.
Drum Dream Girl: How one girl’s courage changed music by Margarita Engle and Rafael Lopez
The story of a drum dream girl who breaks the traditional taboo against female drummers
We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
A bold lyrical picture book inspired by Indigenous-led movements across North America calling to protect the Earth and its waters
Hair Love by Matthew Cherry and Vashti Harrison
A loving story of a father and his daughter who learn about self-confidence and the beauty of hair.
Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor
A journey of discovering self-love through the joyful Bangladeshi girl who learns to love her unique body shape.
In celebration of national children’s book week, I encourage everyone to take some time to read a book with your little ones and connect over a good read.
Let us know some of your faves to read together! Maybe we can even start a book club (gasp! YES!)
Meet Ms. Wendy
Wendy Toribio-Baez lives and breathes for the wholesomeness of early childhood. She is a Behavior and Learning Scientist, who guides parents and teachers in providing optimal learning experiences for young children. In her personal practice, Wendy creates and implements individualized plans to help her students efficiently acquire communication, independence, learning and academic skills. With almost 10 years of experience as a Founder and Educational Director of various early childhood learning havens, Wendy has partnered with hundreds of educators, psychologists and other professionals to become a resource for the families she supports. And, she also walks the walk. A millennial mom, Wendy and her two little girls have a ton of fun homeschooling, unschooling and re-schooling; always with intent, curiosity and goodness.
Wendy Toribio-Baez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who earned her Masters of Science in Teaching (MST) in Early Childhood-Early Childhood Special Education from Fordham University, where she was President of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education. If you’d like extra support with your little one, feel free to email her!