This document discusses how picture books can be used as powerful portals to explore diversity, build empathy, and inspire social action. It provides a brief history of increasing diversity in children's books over time. It also explains how books can help children see themselves as windows or mirrors and develop an understanding of different identities and perspectives through empathy. The document advocates opening portals in classrooms and libraries by using diverse books to support lessons and discussions about inspiring positive social change.

1. Picture Books
as
Powerful Portals
Exploring Diversity & Building Empathy to Inspire Action

2. Essential Questions
2
● How has diversity changed the landscape of children’s
picture books?
● Why do diversity, empathy, and social action matter?
● How can teachers and librarians provide access to books
to help students form personal taxonomies in order to
leverage the “transformative power of inclusion” to
inspire action?
Source: Peggy McIntosh, 1983, “Notes on Peggy McIntosh’s Interactive Phases of Curricular and Personal Re-Vision with Regard to Race, Class & Gender.”

3. 1.
Diversity in
Picture Books
A Brief History

4. Windows
& Mirrors
4Source: http://www.slj.com/2014/05/diversity/culturally-diverse-books-selected-by-sljs-review-editors/

5. And Sliding Glass Doors
5
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AAu58SNSyc

6. Evolution of Picture Books: 1657-1900s
6
1657 18781744 1902

7. Evolution of Picture Books: 1920s-1960s
7
1928 19381937 1963

8. Introducing Diversity (aka Cultural Stereotyping)
8

9. Changing Landscape: Meet Peter
9
Source: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/section/about-ezra/

10. Changing Landscape
10

11. Changing Landscape
11

12. (Slowly) Changing Landscape
12

13. Source: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i9esis2d4pnk9mo/AADkqNuy36idy4TKYt_3Vmr0a?dl=0

14. “ Books
transmit
values.”
14Walter Dean Myers, “Where Are the People of Color in Children’s Books?” New York Times, March 2014.

16. 2.
Empathy

17. “ the feeling of being able
to understand and share
another person’s
experiences and
emotions.”
17Thom Markham, “Why Empathy Holds the Key to Transforming 21st Century Learning,” KQED Mindshift, November 16, 2016
empathy

18. Empathy: Identity
★ Each student is an individual with
unique attributes and
perspectives, some of which are
visible and others are invisible.
18

19. Empathy: Identity
19

20. Empathy: Identity
20

21. Empathy: Perspectives
★ A school community can grow if
each individual shares their unique
attributes and perspectives, and
is willing to listen and learn from
others.
21

22. Empathy: Perspectives
22

23. Empathy: Perspectives
23

24. Empathy: Connections
★ Each student can use their unique
attributes to make a difference at
the individual and community level
by developing understanding,
expanding perspectives, and
creating connections.
24

25. Empathy: Connections
25

26. Empathy: Connections
26

27. 3.
Inspiring Action

28. 28
“ The world is before you and you
need not take it or leave it as it
was when you came in.”
James Baldwin

29. 29
“ Life’s most persistent and
urgent question is, “What are you
doing for others?”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

30. 30
“When you see something not right, not
just, not fair, you have a moral
obligation to speak up, speak out--to
find a way to get in the way.”
Congressman John Lewis

31. 31
“Imagine if we could instill a
social consciousness in every
nine-year old….”
Andrew Aydin

32. Source: http://www.today.com/parents/meet-girl-collecting-1000blackgirlbooks-libraries-schools-t95506
Meet Marley Dias: #1000BlackGirlBooks

33. Inspiring Action
33

34. Inspiring Action
34

35. 4.
Opening Portals

36. Opening Portals in Classrooms & Libraries
36
Diversify mentor texts when teaching and supporting:
● Reading comprehension strategies
● Mindsets for learning
● Content curricula
● Read alouds
● One school, One book

37. Opening Portals in Classrooms & Libraries
37
When planning and supporting lessons and choosing
diverse books as mentor texts, consider:
● What is valued?
● What perspectives are left out?
● Are there obvious biases (or undertones of biases)?
● Is a social justice component represented?
● Which anti-bias vocabulary is used or anti-bias goals
explored?
Source: St Stephen’s and St. Agnes School Anti-Bias Template

38. Portal, Obstacle or Detour?
38

39. Source: https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Narnia-Witch-Wardrobe-Widescreen/dp/B000E8M0VA
Picture Books: Powerful Portals

40. Contacts & Resources
Julie M. Esanu, MLIS
Head Lower School Librarian
St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
Alexandria, VA
jesanu@sssas.org
@booksandbytes
Meghan Fatouros, MLS
Librarian
Abingdon Elementary School
Arlington Public Schools
Arlington, VA
meghan.fatouros@apsva.us
@msF_reads
40
Book recommendations and related resources can be found on
our Picture Books as Powerful Portals Padlet:
https://padlet.com/msF_reads/picturebookportals
Special thanks to SlidesCarnival for the presentation template.