10 Anti-Racism Children's Picture Books

The past few weeks have been a constant cycle of grief, anger, frustration, and stress. George Floyd's murder and all that has transpired since is weighing heavily on our hearts and minds. During one particularly difficult day, when I felt beyond helpless and anxious, I walked into my son's room and saw a book on his bedroom floor. He'd been reading The Undefeated, a children's book about incredible Black people who shaped history and present.

This gave me the idea to share with you some of our favorite anti-racism children's picture books, because times like these can often leave parents feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do. How much is too much? What if we don't say enough? What if we say the wrong things? 

Please, please choose to do take action. Choose to lean in and listen, learn, and change. Empathize. And most of all, grow. Prepare your children for the realities they will face. If they are a child of color, this means one thing. If they are white, that means another. I strongly believe that ALL children deserve parents who will teach them what anti-racism is.

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Parents, #antiracism starts at home. Do the work. Now is the time. . #antiracist #multiracialfamily #racisminamerica #racism #ahmaudarbery #breonnataylor #georgefloyd #blacklivesmatter #whitesugarbrownsugar #parenting #whiteprivilege #wednesdayvibes #wednesdaymotivation #wednesdaywisdom

A post shared by Rachel Garlinghouse (@whitesugarbrownsugar) on May 27, 2020 at 7:23am PDT

I want to suggest to you that books shouldn't be the ONLY tool you use to teach your kids about anti-racism. I believe in-person relationships and conversations are the best of the best. However, books are powerful, helpful tools that are readily available in your home.

Parents, if you're raising white children, they need these books, too. After all, racism didn't invent itself. It has a long, violent history, started by white people and continued by white people. Parents should get educated themselves on what anti-racism is and how to be part of it, and then they need to educate their children. I offer anti-racism book suggestions for adults here.

Note that none of these books actually have "anti-racism" in the title. This is a word you need to discuss with your children. Despite the titles here not explicitly stating "anti-racism" they are books that teach facets of anti-racism that are critical to kids (and parents) understanding why it's so important and necessary. 

If you'd like to learn more about the books I'm sharing here, click or tap on the book image. You can then read the book description, reviews, take a peek inside some of them, and purchase if you wish.

I'm thankful for your readership and that you are doing things in your home that matter and will have a forever-impact on your children. Please join me on Facebook and Instagram for powerful discussions on race, adoption, and motherhood.

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The first time my son was called a “thug” was when he was a toddler. At two, he was in diapers and learning to string words together. He was a happy baby. Affectionate. It didn’t matter how wonderful he was. It didn’t matter that he had white parents, either—our #whiteprivilege didn’t extend to him. It didn’t matter that he was so young. The world swiftly stereotyped him, labeling him as criminal, suspicious, dangerous. 🖤 It’s heavy days like these that make me want to put my son in a protective bubble. There’s fear, anger, restlessness. Choosing empathy for #ahmaudarbery ‘s grieving mother means choosing to acknowledge that not all children are safe. Melanin is a perceived threat, and it has been for hundreds of years. 🖤 We struggle to balance teaching our children the reality, preparing them, and letting them be kids. It feels impossible, because even in preparing, we know that only so much in is their/our control. One way (of many) we teach our children is through books. Books that affirm, that tell truth, that educate. Books that speak to their blackness. 🖤 I think the #1 best resource is real life racial mirrors. There’s a reason my son lights up when he sees his barber, his pastor, his cousin. Seeing his melanin reflected back in bigger, stronger, smarter, funnier men is magical. Irreplaceable. Invaluable. 🖤 I’m doing a lot of reflection right now. The weight of the news is suffocating. Many parents and children have known these injustices their whole lives. My husband and I are still learning and evolving. We’re leaning heavily on those who share our children’s race, who have experience and wisdom, to guide us. 🖤 I am thankful for the Black men and women who choose to pour into our children. . #blacklivesmatter #blackchildren #blackchildrensbooks #blackchild #blackchildrenmatter #multiracialfamily #transracialadoption #blackboy #blackboyjoy #whitesugarbrownsugar #mothersdayweekend #saturdayvibes

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12 Anti-Racism Books You Need to Read, Working to Become an Ally

With the very recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor comes a reminder to us all. It's time to recommit to anti-racism. While many of us are still in quarantine and summer break is starting, it's a good time to pick up some books on becoming allies and becoming better parents to our children of color.

If you follow me on social media, you've probably noticed how passionate I am about this topic. Anti-racism means confronting white privilege and not falling back on white guilt and white fragility when we're called out or challenged, as well as doing the work to listen, learn, change, and move forward.

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We are conditioned, because of #whiteprivilege , to believe we are entitled to every person’s favor. The truth? We aren’t owed anyone else’s anything. 👇🏿👇🏼👇🏾👇🏽 . #whitefragility #whitetears #dearwhitepeople #multiracialfamily #whitesugarbrownsugar #mondaymood #mondaymotivation #antiracism #antiracist #racisminamerica #racism #racismisreal

A post shared by Rachel Garlinghouse (@whitesugarbrownsugar) on May 18, 2020 at 3:51pm PDT

What better way to do this than to learn from people of color who have authored books that specifically speak to the importance of dismantling white supremacy? We also need to keep in mind that it's not fair or appropriate to burden people of color with the task of educating us on how to be woke. The work falls on us. We need to learn from the resources that are already out there, not beg people of color to teach us or rescue us from whiteness.

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I will never forget the day a white woman (acquaintance) called my then two-year-old Black, big son a “cute little thug.” 🖤 My girls were adored much longer than my son. They were “cute” and “precious” and “adorable.” Yes, “compliments” we’re sometimes gross. Like, “I’ve always wanted to adopt a little Black baby.” But generally, my girls were gushed over longer than my son. 🖤 The #stereotypes around #blackboys are harsh and start YOUNG. Suspicious. Scary. Loud. Promiscuous. Criminal. “Thug”— was what came to this woman’s mind when she saw my baby. A boy still in diapers who was learning to throw a ball and string words together. 🖤 I tell parents all the time: the world works very hard to tear down #bipoc children. We must work even harder to build them up. 🖤 It breaks my heart to know my son isn’t treated the same as his white peers. Why can’t others see his humor, empathy, intelligence, strengths, and #blackboyjoy ? 🖤 Some people mistakingly assume that my kids don’t experience racism, because we (parents) are white. Yes, there are time our #whiteprivilege has shielded our children. But it’s not indefinite and always. 🖤 When was the first time your child was called a racist name? 👇🏼👇🏽👇🏾👇🏿 . . #racisminamerica #racism #dearwhitepeople #multiracialfamily #thug #blackboysmatter #blackboysrock #whitesugarbrownsugar #transracialadoption #transracialfamily #melaninpoppin #wednesdaymotivation

A post shared by Rachel Garlinghouse (@whitesugarbrownsugar) on May 13, 2020 at 7:27pm PDT

I want to introduce you to twelve books (some of which are written for teens and young adults) that I recommend you check out. Some have been around awhile, while some are hot off the press. Each of them is very important in their own way, and each is authored by a person of color. I think it's very important that if we're going to learn to be anti-racist and be great parents to our kids of color, we do so by listening to those who have lived experience and education in these areas.

You can click or tap on the book image to learn more including read a description, check out reviews, glimpse inside the book, and purchase.

7 ADHD Books to Help Parents Succeed With Their Children

Let's cut to the chase. 

Parenting a child with ADHD can be tricky. For starters, there's a lot of judgement. Parents are constantly being fed mixed messages about symptoms, treatment options, and societal expectations. We're very much "damned if we do, damned if we don't." Many of us are limited by our insurance coverage (or lack thereof)--meaning, our kids don't always get the help we need, and parents don't get the support they need for our own mental health and well-being.

I've been asked about essential oils, chiropractic care, stimulants, non-stimulants, a gluten free diet, karate class, spanking, occupational therapy, and so much more. It's freaking exhausting to filed the assuming questions and statements coming from loved ones and strangers. Some don't believe ADHD is "real"--which is infuriating. Here are some truths:

-old school discipline doesn't work for kids with ADHD (read THE EXPLOSIVE CHILD if you're not convinced)
-yes, kids with ADHD can still be held accountable for their actions 
-discipline can't cure a child's ADHD

What have I found to be helpful when it comes to raising a child with ADHD? Getting educated. The more I know, the better I can serve my child and advocate for them in other settings such as school, extracurriculars, and social settings (playing at the park, for example). 

Don't just educate and support yourself. There are some amazing children's picture books for kids with big feelings, which is typical of children with ADHD. 

We are also educated on sensory needs and those can play into some kids' ADHD. Meeting a child's sensory needs is very important and a key to success. If your child struggles with anger (tantrums, meltdowns, etc.), check out this simple but effective tool we use. 

Here are five books I recommend that all parents check out if they're raising a child with ADHD. Note, our family is pro-connection and getting to the "why" and need behind behaviors. Click on the book image to read a description, check out the reviews, and purchase: 



I also recommend these workbooks for kids:



There are a few very helpful websites that offer you education and encouragement when parenting a child with ADHD. Please check out Understood, ADDitude, and Empowered to Connect.