As we look toward this shaky, uncertain future – we’re raising the leaders we will need to navigate it. As heady as all this sounds, it’s easier to define our values with some helpful books to start conversations about the way roles our kids can take toward collective action.
Together with your kids, recognize that there are diverse ways to lead and work in community.
Raising Raucous Firebrands
Firebrands speak up when a system isn’t working and something needs to change. Firebrands boost voices that have been marginalized and erased, even when they’re afraid. They stand up when they see injustice, speak truth to power, and are willing to break rules that keep oppressed voices silent.
- The Library Lion
- Noni Speaks Up
- The Smallest Girl In The Smallest Grade
You might also like: Children’s Books About Civil Disobedience
Raising Courageous Rebels
Rebels dare to stand out and show others it’s okay to be different. Rebels crack the barriers that hold us back, and seek new ways to experiment and flourish.
You might also like: Reassuring Books For Kids Who Don’t Fit In
Raising Humble Visionaries
Visionaries create a vision of a better tomorrow, ideals to hold on to when things get rough. In creating a kinder, more inclusive future, we need artists who seek inclusion, equity, and sustainability. This is messy work, requiring vulnerability and courage – but they are prepared to fall down, make mistakes, and help us all learn to do better.
- The Book Of Mistakes
- The Dot
- What You Do Matters
Raising Empathetic Engineers
Empathetic engineering celebrates human curiosity and ingenuity. We need engineers who think in wide, interdependent perspectives – humanity can’t thrive without a healthy ecosystem. As we learn more about the kyriarchy – how racism, sexism, wealth inequality, ableism, nationalism, climate change, and other forms of oppression are intertwined, we need brilliant minds to handle the messy complexity of being humans in the world.
Raising Attentive Conductors
A strong leader earns our loyalty by proving they will sacrifice everything to keep us safe. An effective organizer listens to the most marginalized voices, respects the strengths and boundaries of each person, and finds ways for us all help each other. Dedicated teachers, patient elders, caring siblings, loving parents – a leader is someone who takes action and becomes the change they want to see in the world.
A leader is not a demanding authority speaking down from up high – we must all be leaders. We must act humbly, remembering that we’re not above any other – but as if our actions hold great significance. Because both of these things are true.
Raising Cooperative Pillars of the Community
To quote our long-time incendiary, Tricia L., who says it better than I ever could:
“I encourage my kids with their pile of privileges to practice, not just being leaders, but being the first follower. It takes bravery to be the one to step out alone and forge the way. That leader holds the vision which lights their path. And the first follower needs bravery, too, to come along an untrampled path without a guiding vision, on faith that the vision of the leader is enough. I ask my Littles to look for marginalized voices, leaders out there alone, and to follow them openly and proudly, so others can be encouraged to come along, too.“
Oh my gosh. Gorgeous.
The largest source of strength within a community doesn’t come from the firebrands, rebels, and leaders – but from the people who all work together with faith in each other. Our ability to lift each other up – to step out of the spotlight so all voices can be heard – makes us stronger and keeps us flexible.
- Peaceful Fights For Equal Rights
- Big Bob, Little Bob
- Lights, Camera, Carmen
- Hiawatha and the Peacemaker
- Undocumented
- We Are Brothers
- *Zombelina Dances The Nutcracker
- Sweet Briar Goes To Camp
- What’s My Superpower
- Superluminous (disclosure: Annick Press sent me a free review copy of this one)
You might also like: Breaking Walls & Building Bridges – Kids Books About Collective Action
Stay Curious, Stand Brave & Raise Luminaries
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5 comments
I was so excited to find this site! So many great titles I’m looking forward to checking out with my little ones. I have a book on Restorative Justice for kids that I think (hope) you might like. It is called Wally and Freya (https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/9781680997910/wally-and-freya/). I would be happy to send you a copy if you would like one!
I don’t have the capacity to accept review copies at the moment – but thanks for letting us know about your book! It sounds great!
For my birthday we are heading to our local independent children’s bookstore. Now I have the perfect list to help me narrow down the selections. Thanks, as always!
We’ve been reading “Big Bob, Little Bob” semi-regularly for well over a year. It inspired my son’s jewelry collection, which now well outstrips mine.
This is fantastic!! Amending my note to let folks know this one has sticking-power <3