Picture Books that could be used in a Critical Literacy Lesson
When considering a read aloud, think about which of the four dimensions may be embedded into the theme of the text. This may help structure the lesson and guide the conversation. The books are organized into categories for your reference:
When considering a read aloud, think about which of the four dimensions may be embedded into the theme of the text. This may help structure the lesson and guide the conversation. The books are organized into categories for your reference:
- Books that promote social justice and action
- Books that celebrate diversity and heritage
- Books that deal with the theme of cultural identity
- Books that deal with the theme of different family structures
- Books that deal with the theme of feelings
- Books that deal with issues of homelessness and socioeconomic status and perception
- Books that deal with the theme of unique identities and special needs
- Books that deal with the theme of power and hope and socio-political issues
- Books that deal with gender identities and sexism
The Four Dimensions of Critical Literacy
· Disrupting a common situation or understanding (seeking to understand the text or situation in more or less detail to gain perspective)
· Interrogating multiple viewpoints (standing in the shoes of others or thinking about texts from perspectives of different characters or from perspectives not represented in the texts)
· Focusing on sociopolitical issues (thinking about power in relationships between and among people and exploring how power relationships shape perceptions, responses, and actions)
· Taking action and promoting social justice (reflecting and acting to change an inappropriate, unequal power relationship between people) Identified by Lewison, Flint and Sluys (2002)
· Disrupting a common situation or understanding (seeking to understand the text or situation in more or less detail to gain perspective)
· Interrogating multiple viewpoints (standing in the shoes of others or thinking about texts from perspectives of different characters or from perspectives not represented in the texts)
· Focusing on sociopolitical issues (thinking about power in relationships between and among people and exploring how power relationships shape perceptions, responses, and actions)
· Taking action and promoting social justice (reflecting and acting to change an inappropriate, unequal power relationship between people) Identified by Lewison, Flint and Sluys (2002)
More children's books that could be used in a Critical Literacy lesson from the Teaching Tolerance website, www.tolerance.org
An Inclusive Children’s Reading List
Benjamin and the Word / Benjamín y la palabra
by Daniel A. Olivas
Black Is Brown Is Tan
by Arnold Adoff
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young
Readers Edition
by William Kamkwamba
Brick by Brick
by Charles R. Smith, Jr.
Courtney’s Birthday Party
by Loretta Long
Ellen’s Broom
by Kelly Starling Lyons
The Great Big Book of Familiesby Mary Hoffman
Kate and the Beanstalk
by Mary Pope Osborne
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald no combina
by Monica Brown
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe
My Princess Boy
by Cheryl Kilodavis
Nappy Hair
by Carolivia Herron
Oh the Things Mommies Do! What Could Be Better Than Having Two?
by Crystal Tompkins
The Patchwork Path:
A Quilt Map to Freedom by Bettye Stroud
The President Looks Like Me & Other Poems
by Tony Medina
An Inclusive Children’s Reading List
Benjamin and the Word / Benjamín y la palabra
by Daniel A. Olivas
Black Is Brown Is Tan
by Arnold Adoff
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young
Readers Edition
by William Kamkwamba
Brick by Brick
by Charles R. Smith, Jr.
Courtney’s Birthday Party
by Loretta Long
Ellen’s Broom
by Kelly Starling Lyons
The Great Big Book of Familiesby Mary Hoffman
Kate and the Beanstalk
by Mary Pope Osborne
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald no combina
by Monica Brown
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe
My Princess Boy
by Cheryl Kilodavis
Nappy Hair
by Carolivia Herron
Oh the Things Mommies Do! What Could Be Better Than Having Two?
by Crystal Tompkins
The Patchwork Path:
A Quilt Map to Freedom by Bettye Stroud
The President Looks Like Me & Other Poems
by Tony Medina