Children's Books
All of the below books I found at the public library. One day I had taken off of work I decided to go and see what books they had for kids under DEI topics and these were some of the ones I actually pulled out and sat there reading. It may have looked weird for an adult to be sitting at one of those small tables reading children's books, but for me it was good to see what trends there are. I think that I will do this parodically just to see what kinds of books can be found. These were at the main branch of the Aurora Public Library.
Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx/La juez que creció en el Bronx By Jonah Winter and Edel Rodriquez
I picked this book to read because I wanted to get some quick basic info on a person that I knew nothing about except that she’s a Supreme Court judge. It was a way for me to get some of her story. My local library had this on the display for Hispanic heritage month. It quickly covers her life and the impact that her mother had on her. What was nice about this book is that it was written in both English and Spanish. This could actually be a good teaching tool to help kids learn Spanish. 3 out of 5 stars or a C.
Bilal Cooks Daal By Aisha Saeed and Anoosha Syed
This was a cute book that shows how food has the power to not only bring people together, but also to teach. The best part of this book is that there is also a recipe in the back so that readers can try and make their own. This is great because once parents read the book with their kids, that they can then try and make the dish themselves as an immersive learning experience. 4 out of 5 stars or a B.
Like the Moon Loves the Sky By Hena Khan and Saffa Khan
A note on the jacket of this book said that the illustrations and prose was inspired by the Quran. I wish there would have been a back section to this book that went into how/why that was. Since it was missing this, I could only give it 2 stars. I feel that children’s book can be teaching tools for both children and their parents. This could have been a good thing directed at the parents who may want to share the book with their children and help to build cultural understanding. This was a massive, missed opportunity on the author’s part. It is also a very simple book with few words that can be used for younger readers/new readers. 2 out of 5 stars or a D.
Hannah and the Ramadan Gift By Qasim Rashid and Aaliya Jaleel
This book beautifully humanizes Muslim culture and religion in a fictional sense vs. real life. It tries to give a perspective from a young girl, but still shows a very strong male presence and influence. It would have been more interesting if it would have been another female guiding her through the balance of life and religion. This book also showed how food can be used to help break barriers. 4 out of 5 stars or a B.
We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know By Traci Sorell and Frane Lessac
What first drew me to this book was that on the cover it showed someone in a wheelchair. Only after picking it up did I notice that it was about the Native American perspective. I liked that they showed diversity within a population because it shows how people can have different identities. Even though it had these visuals this diversity within the community was not a topic covered in the book. The book addresses many of the negative things that Native Americans have had to deal with. In the back it also includes a timeline of important events. Here is another children’s book that even adults can learn from. I did not know that the federal government regulates tribal casinos. Native land where these casinos are supposed to be treated as land in another country, but here is the U.S. once again sticking their nose into a place they should not be. The U.S. has done enough to the Natives, why can’t they just leave them alone. This is a good book for kids to read that shows that the U.S. is not as good as the image that most people like to project. Nothing in this book is hype, but just facts that many may wish to hide to keep this image. 5 out of 5 stars or an A+.
What Are Your Words?: A Book About Pronouns By Katherine Locke and Anne Passchier
I picked this one up after the librarian said that it was another book to teach kids about pronouns. Here is the thing about children’s books, many times they are underrated due to their intended audience being children. I read children’s books sometimes to see what they are teaching kids, but sometimes I learn things as well. This book did not disappoint on this.
I have been studying DEI topics for several years and this was the first time I had come across Ze/Zir and Ey/Eir. This then encouraged me to look up these terms. From what I could find on these they are both nonbinary pronouns most often used by, trans, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming people. I’m not sure how often these are used, but from what I was able to find they are newer in use. I wish I could have found out more on when each is used, but that just leaves me something for future research. I think that if any book can leave you wanting to learn more then that is a book that everyone should read and not just kids. 5 stars out of 5 or an A+, if a child's book can get an adult to do additional research then it is doing something right.
Jacob's School Play: Starring He, She, and They By Ian Hoffman, Sarah Hoffman, and Chris Case
This is a good book to introduce children to the use of pronouns. It is a very simple book that will help them with the basics until they are old enough for a more detailed book. 3 stars out of 5 or a C.
Adult Books
Tales of the Samurai By Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford
3 stars out of 5 or a C.
My Brother's Husband, Volume 1 By Gengoroh Tagame
This was one of the most amazing books I have ever read. I nearly read the whole thing in one sitting because of how it draws you into the story. This book is a great example of learning. Anyone who doesn’t think that real knowledge can be gained through reading fiction or manga should read this book. It not only tackles issues around sexuality, but divorce, culture, work, and many other social issues. The book uses a Canadian as the ‘other’ in this story to then look at social issues in Japan. I would recommend this book to anyone and I really need to find more in this series. I work at a community college and this was one of the books they got as they were trying to build up the graphic novel section of our library. I couldn’t be happier that students will have access to this book. 5 stars out of 5 or a A+.
The Soul of the Indian By Charles Alexander Eastman
3 stars out of 5 or a C.
Woman and the New Race By Margaret Sanger
This book focused on women’s reproduction and its relationship between men and women. This was not surprising if you have heard about Margaret Sanger from a historical perspective. So in a way I knew what I would be getting into, but at the same time I was hoping that she would expand into larger issues around women of the time period. Everything she talks about in the book we take for granted in present times. 3 stars out of 5 or a C.
Manual Of Egyptian Archaeology And Guide To The Study Of Antiquities In Egypt By Gaston Maspero
3 stars out of 5 or a C.
Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains By Charles Alexander Eastman
4 stars out of 5 or a B.
Inca Land: Explorations in the Highlands of Peru By Hiram Bingham
3 stars out of 5 or a C.
All pictures of the books came from good reads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/65272140?ref=nav_mybooks
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