While checking out children’s books for Martin Luther King Day, I discovered some terrific titles, some recent and some almost vintage. I especially liked Brown Like Me by Noelle Lamperti, The Colors of Us by Karen Katz and The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler. As I was looking and reading through other stories, I was reminded of how books can be used to help children deal with all kinds of situations and challenges. These stories talk about different colors of skin, others look at feeling left out, being different, and dealing with fears. There are books for being adopted, living in an area where there is war, having someone very ill, going to a new school, a family that is living in 2 homes, and even more.
All too often when we talk about kindergarten readiness we focus on information and academics. We forget that families have other concerns. Books can be used to help children cope with these concerns and, in the spirit of Martin Luther King, to connect with community, country and world issues. When it comes to stories and books, like the title of Vera Williams’, we need More, More, More Said The Baby.