Books To Teach Your Kids About Racism And Foster Understanding

As protests against racial injustice and police brutality have spread across the U.S. and around the world and have touched us in the Buffalo community, people are looking for a deeper understanding about racism and what they can do about it.

Many of those inquiring minds are turning to books, so when Brittany Smith, a pre-kindergarten teacher from New Jersey, shared a list on Twitter of her recommended reading materials to teach children about race and racism, it went viral.

In her tweet, which garnered over 400,000 likes as of Thursday morning, Smith recommends books about Civil Rights leaders, including: Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz; Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, and Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford.

There were also stories about growing up black in America, like The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and books to teach empathy such as Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt and Chocolate Milk, Por Favor: Celebrating Diversity with Empathy by Maria Dismondy.

Racism and hate aren't traits we were born with and it's important that our children are enlightened to this early, and for us to be part of the solution.

If you’re looking for more books for your collection, check out TIME’s list of antiracist books.

(Time)