diverse and inclusive books for children Archives - Multicultural Children's Book Day

So What Do I Do Now? Author Marilyn Lebovitz’s Second Act

January 25, 2020 by Valarie Budayr

Guest post from Author, MarilynLebovitz

As a retired septuagenarian Speech Pathologist, I began a quest to find something fulfilling that at the same time would continue to make a difference in the lives of others. Writing has been my hobby since I was small, and it helped tremendously through my career as an incentive to having clients share their challenges and hopes and many times to simply make them laugh.

As I contemplated how or whether to reinvent myself, my grown children stepped in and cajoled me into turning my passion for writing into using my questionable humor, firmly unhinged by my younger clients, into a new career: writing children’s books. As my daughter wrote in my bio, “If you don’t like her books, blame her children. They made her do it!”

This new undertaking has brought a wonderful new phase to my life albeit with quite an ambitious learning curve. I tease that it has kept me out of the stores and off the streets!

During my years of working with many different age groups from children through adults, one commonality existed. There is not just one population of people in need of help. Those struggling with learning challenges and speech come in every color, every religion, every gender.

The spectrum of ethnicities was firmly represented in my sessions and so dictated the direction of my books. It is critical to me that each child turning the pages, as well as those cuddling them as they are read to, never feel marginalized. They can each see themselves smiling proudly through the human characters created or smile at the use of anthropomorphic beings. Fortunately, my talented illustrator, Kaley Powers, understands this concept personally. She is the beautiful and amazing daughter of a Chinese mother and a Danish father. Kaley needed no explanations.

So far, I’ve independently published four books with a fifth being on the cusp of being uploaded.

As this is a labor of love and in order to fulfill my goal of making a difference, my husband and I underwrite the expenses of creating and publishing. This makes it possible to gift copies to schools and to those who might not otherwise be able to buy them for their children.

It also allows all of the proceeds from my books to go to charities that benefit children. Previously, these included Everytown For Gun Safety and Shoes That Fit. Now with children in our own country going hungry, the proceeds have gone to Feeding America and will continue to go to charities dedicated to ending this inexcusable tragedy.

My hope is that all of my books will help explore some of the many mysteries of life with laughter and create excitement to foster a growing love for the written word.

Marilyn Bricklin Lebovitz, AKA “The Story Lady”, continues her life-long love of books and passion for teaching with her collection of wise and witty children’s books. Throughout her life as a mother and grandmother, and Speech/ Language Pathologist, Marilyn has written countless poems and stories for relatives and students as a private hobby. After several years of her children begging her to create material for the public, she finally relented. These insightful and sometimes silly stories engage children and parents alike with their warmth, humor and unique perspective on the human condition. If the books aren’t loved, blame her kids. They made her do it!

Connect with Mary and StoryLady Collections via the website or Mary’s Amazon Author Page.

Why Do Adults Need to Discuss Diverse & Inclusive Books with Children?

January 24, 2017 by Valarie Budayr

Why Do Adults Need to Discuss Diverse & Inclusive Books with Children?

Guest post by Stefanie Paige Wieder, M.S.Ed.

The need for diverse and inclusive books for children has become clear. When children see themselves reflected in books, it increases their feelings of positive self-worth. Conversely, when children rarely or never see themselves reflected in books, they receive the message that they are outside of what is acknowledged and accepted as “normal.”

Furthermore, research shows that without thoughtful adult intervention, children develop stereotypes. As early childhood anti-bias education expert and human development faculty member at Pacific Oaks College, Louise Derman-Sparks, explains:

“By the age of two, children begin absorbing socially prevailing stereotypes, attitudes and biases about themselves and people different from themselves. They begin to show discomfort or fear or even dislike toward a person with a different skin color, different language or with a physical disability.”

Books that depict people from all walks of life help combat this. But they can’t do the work alone.

Why the need for adult conversation around these books?

Children often need adult guidance in order to make the connection between what they read in books and their own knowledge and experiences. Connecting new information to what they already know enables children to make meaning of the new information and integrate it into their lives. Savvy teachers often introduce a topic by asking children what they already know. This activates children’s prior knowledge, which gives them a context for integrating new information. It also allows the teacher to assess where there may be gaps in understanding.

Adults also play a key role in answering questions about a book: providing explanations and factual information, or modeling for kids how to do research to get additional information.

Talking explicitly about issues like culture, race, religion, sexual orientation and abilities can be awkward for adults. But for children, it’s not awkward. It’s essential. They are already thinking about these topics and making sense of them in their own way, whether adults talk with them about it or not.

When having conversations with children, adults should find the balance between drawing out what kids know and providing factual information. If a child does express a stereotype or incorrect notion about others, it is important for the adult to gently correct their thinking.

Diverse and inclusive books are a critical and welcome part of children’s lives. As adults, it’s our role to make sure children receive and understand the messages of these books with open hearts and clear minds.

What do your children see in the books they read?

Stefanie Paige Wieder, M.S.Ed, is Senior Director of Product at Barefoot Books and a child development expert with over 20 years of experience. She earned her dual master’s in Early Childhood General & Special Education / Infant & Parent Development & Early Intervention from the Bank Street Graduate School of Education and her B.A. from Harvard University.

Want more of Stefanie’s expert tips to nurture your child or students’ empathy? Download a FREE empathy-boosting activity and discussion guide here!

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