A Liberated Library: Building a Bookshelf That Affirms, Empowers and Inspires Readers
by Aundrea Tabbs-Smith
All of us experience events in our lives that make us question what we thought to be true. We are put in situations that push us to speak up for others and lift our voices higher because the world needs us to evoke change. Feeling affirmed, empowered, and liberated allows for our imaginations to take shape and soar. Picture books have a beautiful way of leading us towards liberation- encouraging us to recognize another perspective, advocate for a worthy cause or even affirm our own identity.
When choosing books for my children’s bookshelf, a classroom’s library or a social media post I ask myself:
Does this book allow the reader to feel affirmed?
How will this book empower and encourage advocacy?
Will this text lead the reader towards liberation?
In order to answer these questions truthfully it is important to keep in mind the books that children are exposed to have a tremendous impact. The words and images have the ability to nurture or conversely to undermine a child’s sense of self, positive attitude towards others and motivation to act for fairness.
Choosing books that affirm, empower, and encourage advocacy will lead to liberation and allow us to create a bookshelf that inspires readers to be their best selves.
The books I have selected below have pulled at my heart, pushed me to think critically and encouraged my imagination to ascend towards liberation.
I’m From
By Gary R. Gray Jr., Illustrated by Oge Mora
Recommend age: 4-8 years of age
The reader follows a young child as they navigate their world, encountering all the people, places and things that ground them and shape who they are.
Liberation Lens: highlights the peace that can lie within ones’ familial and cultural identity
The Good Hair Day
By Christian Trimmer, Illustrated by J Yang
Recommended age: 4-8 years of age
A child dreams of long hair in this delightful story about self-expression and embracing our most authentic selves.
Liberation Lens: empowers the reader to share their true selves with the world.
A Day With No Words
By Tiffany Hammond, Illustrated by Kate Cosgrove
Recommended age: 4 years and up
An engaging picture book that shares what life can look like for families who use nonverbal communication.
Liberation Lens: embraces a unique method of speaking and communicating
Say My Name
By Joanna Ho, Illustrated by: Khoa Lee
Recommended age: 4-8 years of age
Each page is a beautiful celebration of the sounds and divine strength of each name coupled with their culture of origin. Ho encourages everyone to embrace their names and honor and learn those with which they may not be familiar.
Liberation Lens: centers how correctly pronouncing a person’s name honors and respects them
The Words We Share
By Jack Wong
Recommended for ages: 4-7 years of age
An unforgettable story about communication, connections and community. A young girl helps her father navigate life in a new country where she understands the language more than he does.
Liberation Lens: explores the distinct weight children of immigrants often carry and a reminder of the power of empathy.
Rock Your Mocs
By Laurel Goodluck, Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight
Recommended age: 4-8 years of age
A beautiful tribute to Rock Your Mocs Day, observed yearly on November 15.
Liberation Lens: celebrates the joy and power of wearing moccasins, as well as Native pride
Author bio:
Aundrea Tabbs-Smith is the author of For the Quiet Black Girl: Trying to Find Her Voice in a Predominately White Space and creator of the Black Joy by Black Authors Scratch Off Poster. She has a B.A. in Elementary/Early Childhood Education from Temple University and a Master’s in Special Education from Bank Street College of Ed. She is a former classroom teacher who wants to amplify marginalized voices through literature.
Follow her on Instagram: @aundreatsmith
