Social Justice at Storytime: Promoting Inclusive Children's Programs

(Paperback)

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Description

Youth librarians and early literacy educators will find this book a helpful tool for making storytimes more inclusive and better representative of their community and the world at large. Written by two experienced librarians from one of the nation's most diverse metroplexes, Social Justice at Storytime provides a real-world, hands-on guide to storytimes that will help young people become more socially aware, empathetic, and confident. Storytimes can be a welcoming space for all members of the community. Anyone presenting storytime to young children can use these suggestions to broaden children's understanding of the often-confusing situations they see and hear around them. It is possible to discuss race, gender/sexuality, and diverse abilities in a child-appropriate way. Making social justice a part of an existing or new storytime practice provides an early literacy approach to including children in timely conversations. Readers of this thoughtful book will not only become more socially aware and empathetic, but they will also be equipped to choose diverse books and songs, make thoughtful and inclusive language choices, become more in tune with their diverse communities, and handle concerns from caregivers or administrators.

Reviews

A necessary resource for public libraries, the book includes further resources, a subject index, and a title index. * Booklist *
Adams and Hough go beyond the politics of social justice to show how promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity in storytime helps build character and social literacy in our youngest patrons. This book is a valuable training resource for all library staff, not just children's librarians. It reminds us how valuable library programs can be in developing safe spaces and building community. * Melissa Dease, Youth Services Administrator, Dallas Public Library *
This age of technology and media popularity makes it extremely easy for our children to receive a distorted picture of what life is about. Social Justice at Storytime is an opportunity not only to provide a space for marginalized communities to cope through literacy, but also to receive perspective and a paradigm for championing life in the face of surmounting challenges. * Louie T. McClain II, CEO, Melanin Origins *

Author Bio

Shannon Adams, MLIS, is an amateur storyteller and librarian who enjoys learning and helping to bring social awareness to children and adults. Lauren Hough has more than nine years of experience working with children and teens in school and public libraries and more than three years presenting social justicethemed storytimes and programming.