Today in partnership with Hatch, creators of the ever popular Hatch Rest sound machine, I am sharing three ways to diversify your home library.
Every sleep routine should include a bedtime story. Books are an essential part of childhood. From board books to bedtime stories, children’s books can be used to enlighten, entertain, and encourage. The books you choose should reflect the world we live in and intentionally expose your children to people, cultures, and customs different from their own. As you work to diversify your home libraries, consider the following tips:
- Start early.
Research has shown that babies as early as three months notice similarities and differences in the appearance of others. Infancy is a great time to be intentional about exposing your children to diverse characters through the use of board books. As you read, point out similarities and differences. Be intentional about making those connections.
Some of our favorite board books are: Whose Toes Are Those |Jack and the Beanstalk | Music Is | Yoga Bear | More More More Said the Baby | Please Baby Please
2. Support “Own Voices.”
Many authors tell stories based on their lived experiences. Black authors can speak very keenly about issues directly affecting the Black community. The same can be said for authors who are members of other marginalized groups. This is referred to as “own voice” writing. When diversifying your home library, start with these voices. Amplify the voices of those that are typically underrepresented in the publishing word. This might include authors who are BIPOC, members of the LGBTQ community, and/or authors with disabilities.
Some of our favorite “Own Voices” books are: Island Born | Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History | Fry Bread |The Proudest Blue | Festival of Colors
3. Select books that align with your child’s interests.
Children naturally gravitate towards books on subjects they are interested in. When selecting books based on a specific topic, prioritize those that feature diverse characters. This allows children to make connections based on a common interest.
Some of our favorite books are: Mae Among the Stars | Jabari Jumps | Dreaming Up | Love is A Truck | Bubble Princess | The Word Collector
To learn more about the Hatch Rest and to see it in action head over to my Instagram account. I’d love to hear more about your nightly sleep routine and how you are working to diversify your home library.
Talk to you soon,
Nicole
Love this!! Especially your specific recommendations – want to have and show representation in all kinds of stories and have had a hard time just finding these kinds of things organically while scrolling endlessly through so many books out there. Excited to add these to our list. Thank you!!