Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books

These are some websites that I go to for referencing

https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/early-childhood/

https://www.teachingforchange.org/selecting-anti-bias-books

https://www.getepic.com/app/

Check the Illustrations

Look for Tokenism

Check the Story Line and the Relationships Between People

Look at Messages About Different Lifestyles

Consider the Effects on Children’s Self and Social Identities

Look for Books About Children and Adults Engaging in Actions for Change

Consider the Author’s or Illustrator’s Background & Perspective

Watch for Loaded Words

Look at the Copyright Date

Assess the Appeal of the Story and Illustrations to Young Children

BOX 1: Common Harmful/Undermining Stereotypes

Strong, independent girls and women are “manlike” Book-loving or nonathletic boys and men are “effeminate” Latino men talk funny, are lazy, gang members, or wear oversize sombreros Latina women are earth mothers or subservient African American men are gang members, oversexed, or underemployed African American women are too independent, oversexed, or “welfare moms” LGBTQ people are invisible or sexual predators

Poor people are invisible or depicted as passively needing help from others American Indians live in teepees, carry bows and arrows, or are half-naked in winter People with disabilities are not independent or are to be pitied Arab and/or Muslim men are terrorists Arab and/or Muslim women are voiceless and passive All Muslims are Arab

BOX 2: Examples of Groups of People Who Are Often Invisible in Children’s Books or Mainstream Media
Families who live in rural areas Blue-collar workers Musicians, artists, and writers Families with two dads or two moms Single mothers or fathers	Homeless families Families with an incarcerated parent People of Arab descent and/or families who practice Islam Transgender adults and children