Transracial Journeys

All Are Welcome

By Alexandra Penfold
Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

The Day You Begin

By Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

The first day of school is scary – especially when you are worried about fitting in. Will there be other kids who look like you? Will the other kids like you if your clothes or lunch or language is different from theirs? Both of these reassuring books feature happy inclusive classrooms. Children of different colors, nationalities, and religions are shown learning and having fun together. Reading one – or both – of these books with your young child will help ease the back-to-school jitters.

You Are More Than Magic: The Black and Brown Girls’ Guide to Finding Your Voice

By Minda Harts

Full of great advice and written in a friendly style, You Are More Than Magic is an affirming and helpful guide for all girls of color. The book contains chapters on what to look for in a friend, finding mentors, setting boundaries, saying what you mean (without being mean), speaking up for yourself, and much more. At the end of the book the author includes a discussion guide, a section for caregivers of girls of color, questions for white readers, and other useful resources. Truly an excellent book for girls of color and the people who care about them.

Our Transracial Journeys families regularly seek out books to share with their children and to read for themselves, as white parents of black children. We are fortunate to have a resource in the Transracial Journey's Board of Direcors Secretary, Avril McInally. With a Master of Library Science from Kent State University and over 35 years as a public librarian, Avril and her colleague, Vicki Richards, collaborate to curate phenomenal book recommendations for our children and parents.   The Book Corner is a regular feature in our Transracial Journeys monthly newsletters. If you would like to receive monthly book recommendations via email, please subscribe.