Buying picture books as Christmas presents? These stories with diverse characters can help kids develop empathy
- Written by: Helen Joanne Adam, Senior Lecturer in Literacy Education and Children's Literature: Course Coordinator Master of Teaching (Primary), Edith Cowan University
Gifting children books can be about more than just giving them something to read. Books are portals to adventure, imagination and new experiences. Importantly, books can help children understand and appreciate themselves, and those around them.
Sadly, books normalising racial, cultural, family or gender diversity and diverse abilities are few and far between[1].
When children see characters and stories reflecting their background, they can develop a stronger sense of identity[2]. Research also shows reading books with diverse characters and story-lines helps children develop a greater understanding and appreciation of people different to themselves[3].
Read more: Children's books must be diverse, or kids will grow up believing white is superior[4]
Here are some suggestions of diverse picture books[5] you could buy for kids this Christmas.
1. Books with diverse characters
Magabala Books[9]
Almost 5% of children in Australia live with a severe disability[10], while nearly 8% have some level of disability. This number is likely higher as there are many children with undiagnosed complex needs, such as autism.
Two Mates[11], written and illustrated by Melanie Prewett is about a young Aboriginal boy and his non-Indigenous best mate who has spina bifida. The story focuses on their mateship and adventures rather than highlighting their differences. All children benefit from seeing diverse abilities being portrayed in such a positive way.
Two others books in which diverse abilities are normalised rather than highlighted are:
3. Books portraying gender and family diversity
Larrikin House[12]
Many adults find selecting books for children challenging. My, and others’, research shows adults generally select children’s books based on what they loved[13] when they were children.
This can be a problem, as older books often reflect outdated views of gender, families, diverse cultures and abilities[14].
For example, there are close to 48,000 single sex families in Australia. yet children from these families rarely see characters like them in books.
My Shadow is Pink[15], written and illustrated by Scott Stuart, is a rhyming book about a young gender-diverse child. This book beautifully explores his relationship with his father who helps him be proud of who he is.
Two other books that tell stories of gender or family diversity in supportive and informative ways are:
4. Books challenging gender stereotypes
I Want to be a Superhero[16] by Breanna Humes, illustrated by Ambelin Kwaymullina tells the story of a little girl who wants to be a superhero. Her Grandpa encourages and supports her as she discovers it is OK to dream big. It is important for children to see that gender or race should not define who you are or what you can do.
Two others books promoting positive messages that disrupt traditional gender stereotypes are:
5. Books with messages about social justice
These books shed light on important social justice issues through gentle informative stories.
Other diverse books I simply must recommend
References^ few and far between (www.mdpi.com)^ they can develop a stronger sense of identity (link.springer.com)^ understanding and appreciation of people different to themselves (journals.sagepub.com)^ Children's books must be diverse, or kids will grow up believing white is superior (theconversation.com)^ suggestions of diverse picture books (petaa.edu.au)^ Hachette Australia (www.hachette.com.au)^ The Rainbow Hijab (www.goodreads.com)^ The Patchwork Bike (www.hachette.com.au)^ Magabala Books (www.magabala.com)^ severe disability (www.aihw.gov.au)^ Two Mates (www.magabala.com)^ Larrikin House (larrikinhouse.com)^ adults generally select children’s books based on what they loved (ro.ecu.edu.au)^ outdated views of gender, families, diverse cultures and abilities (link.springer.com)^ My Shadow is Pink (larrikinhouse.com)^ I Want to be a Superhero (www.magabala.com)
