Full 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.
Contents
1. What Is Social Justice?
References
2. The Importance of Social Justice
Foster Positive Personal and Social Development
Dispel Implicit Biases
Promote Unity, Equity, and Community Empowerment
Normalize Cultural Diversity
References
3. How to Implement Social Justice Storytimes
What Is Storytime?
How Does Social Justice Storytime Differ?
References
4. Storytime Components
Social Justice Themes
Body Acceptance
Civil Rights and Activism
Community Helpers
Diverseabilities
Environmental
Everyday Diversity
Families
Friendship
Gender Roles
Global Citizenship
Hair
Immigrant Experience
LGBTQ+
Mental Health
Multicultural
Names
Poverty
Race
Women's History
World Cultures
Direct vs. Indirect
Choosing Diverse Books
Choosing Diverse Songs
References
5. Language Awareness
Pronouns at Storytime
Gender-Inclusive Language
Gender-Neutral Language
Gender-Neutral and Nonbinary Picture Books
Gender-Nonconforming Picture Books
Gender-Inclusive Songs, Flannels, and Extensions
Multi-Language Inclusion
References
6. Embrace Your Community
Demographics Matter
Out and About
Not Your Average Story . . . Time
Religious Communities
Immigrant Communities
English-Language Learners
Disabled Library Users
Communities of People Experiencing Homelessness
Digital Storytimes
Storytime Equity
References
7. Use What You Know: Sample Storytimes
Storytime Preparation
Book Selection
Song Selection
Extension Activities
Every Child Ready to Read®
Community Guidance
Storytime Rules
Sample Storytimes
Virtual Storytime—World Culture: Japan
Virtual Storytime—World Culture: West Asia
World Culture: India
World Culture: Mexico
World Culture: Africa
Multicultural: Fairy Tales Retold
Environmental: Nature
Environmental: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Environmental: Bees
Mental Health: Happiness
Mental Health: Anger
Mental Health: Confidence
Kindness
Friendship
People: General
People: Everyday Diversity
People: Community Helpers
People: Being Different
People: Being Different, Version
People: Bodies
People: Race
People: Melanin
Social Justice: Activism
Social Justice Storytime: Civil Rights
References
8. Addressing Concerns
Social Justice and the Library
Navigating Administrative and Parent/Caregiver Concern
References
Additional Resources
Subject Index
Title Index
