Picture Books That Encourage Us to Advocate for Ourselves and Others

By Aundrea Tabbs-Smith

We are born with an innate sense of who we are - an ability to see the world clearly and

know how we want to show up in it. We cry, we laugh, we yell, we dance, and do it all

unapologetically. Then something happens. Something happens to us that blurs our vision

for ourselves. Whether it is an adult stifling our desires or projecting their thoughts, or

feelings onto us, or it could be another child imitating what they have seen the grown ups

around them do, the clarity that propelled us into this world disappears.

All of us have immense power. In a world full of many unfortunate circumstances, many

of which have been intentionally created, advocacy is crucial to bringing awareness to

people, places and things that warrant compassion, reimagining, and/or disruption.

Advocacy is defined as any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a

cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others. Advocacy, like books, is a

powerful tool for driving change. This power can be used to ensure everyone has the

opportunity to be their authentic selves. Books, like advocacy, have the power to liberate

- granting the reader deeper understanding of themselves and those around them.

Rocket Says Speak Up! by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola

When Rocket finds out that her town’s library is closing, she knows something must be

done. Inspired by the activism of Rosa Parks, Rocket rallies support from her peers, and

together they lead a peaceful protest that spreads awareness and raises enough money to

save their beloved library.

IntersectionAllies: We Make Room for All by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi, illustrated by Ashley Sell Smith

IntersectionAllies introduces the stories of nine kids from diverse backgrounds. Authors

Carolyn Choi, LaToya Council, and Chelsea Johnson use each character’s story to

explain how children’s safety concerns are shaped by their intersecting identities, such as

class, sexuality, dis/ability, race, religion, and citizenship—what is known in academic

and activist circles as “intersectionality.”

I Can Say No: Help Kids Protect Boundaries and Build Confidence by Jenny Simmons, illustrated by Kristin Sorra

In I Can Say No, Jenny Simmons teaches children the power of the word “no.” Whether it’s

saying no to bullying or someone invading their personal space or simply to playing with

a friend when they need some alone time, children learn that they can use their voice to

stand up for what is good in the world, and good for themselves.

The Artivist by Nikkolas Smith

When a young boy realizes the scope of inequities in the wider world, he’s seized with the

urge to do more. He decides to bring together the different parts of himself—the artist

and the activist—to become. . . an Artivist. After his mural goes viral, he sets out to

change the world one painting at a time.

Barrio Rising: The Protest that Built Chicano Park by María Dolores Águila, illustrated by Magdalena Mora

A vivid historical fiction account of the community activism behind San Diego’s Chicano

Park—home to the largest outdoor mural collection in the U.S.—and just one example of

the Mexican American community’s rich history of resistance and resilience.

If You’re a Kid Like Gavin: The True Story of a Young Trans Activist by Kyle Lukoff

A celebratory and empowering story from young trans activist Gavin Grimm, two-time

Stonewall Award-winning and Newbery Honor-winning author Kyle Lukoff, and

illustrator J Yang follows the true story of how a young boy stood up for himself--and

made history along the way.

Aundrea Tabbs-Smith is the author of middle grade book For the Quiet Black Girl:

Trying to Find Her Voice in a Predominately White Space and picture book Never Too

Much. She is also the 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 and currently Co Director of an Emotional Well being program at an early

childcare center who wants to amplify marginalized voices through literature.