Check out the video below for a read aloud of the new picture book “You Matter”. After the story, the author Christian Robinson talks about what inspired him to write the book and then gives a drawing lesson for a T-Rex!
We don’t have this book in our library yet, but hopefully it will be available to borrow in the fall!
This weekend, CNN and Sesame Street are hosting a discussion that will talk to kids about racism, the recent nationwide protests, embracing diversity and being more empathetic and understanding. More information about the event can be found here.
It will air at 7am PST here in Vancouver, but will be available to watch afterwards online. There was another town hall discussion in April about the Covid 19 pandemic which can be watched here.
The Brown Bookstore organized an online rally on Thursday evening. A video of the rally is available to view on facebook and information about the event can be found here. The post also has lots of links to resources and book lists to support conversations around diversity with children.
We are in the middle of a historic time right now – all 50 US states and 18 countries across the world have seen protests in support of Black lives which makes this is largest civil rights movement in history. Some of you may be having conversations about what’s happening right now in your families, and the library can be a source of support for having those conversations.
Angela Davis is an American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author.
The first step towards eliminating racism is acknowledging it exists, and we know it exists in Vancouver and in our schools. I want every student and caregiver in the Oppenheimer community to know that acts of racism in our community are unacceptable.
This year I have been working to add books to our collection at Oppenheimer that reflect the diversity of our students and the world around them. The priority for books in the library will continue to be books by and about members of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) community.
Below are some lists of books for discussing issues of racism with children and that showcase voices of historically oppressed groups. For any families wanting support or to talk more about around this issue, I am happy to chat. In the coming days I will be posting some of the resources we have in our library, and new ones added.
Book Lists and Links for Caregivers
31 Children’s books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance
Why Reading Diversely is Important
Talking about Race with Young Children