FEBRUARY BOOKLIST 2021

Happy February!

We hope you had a spirit-filling Black History Month.

For this month's booklist, we intentionally chose to focus on centring Black voices and representation in mental health and wellness during Black History Month.

Undoubtedly, it has been a stress-inducing year for the Black community in conjunction with the collective distress from the pandemic. Each book within this month's recommendations overflows with affirmative statements, mental health strategies, and, most importantly, breaks stigmas and barriers in mental health. As Black students navigate and or disrupt oppressive systems, racial traumas, and stressors, it is imperative they are equipped with mental health strategies and supports.

Take a look through and feel free to share with other educators if this booklist resonates with you!

I Believe I Can

Authored by: Grace Byers

Illustrated by: Keturah A. Bobo

Recommended Age: Preschool and Up

Authored and illustrated by Black females, I Believe I Can, contains a plethora of positive "I am..." and "I can..." affirmation statements for young readers! The illustrator, Keturah A. Bobo, depicts stunning, representation-filled, images while the author, Grace Byers, establishes positive self-talk through the use of powerful statements and similes. The use of similes provides an opportunity to explore a literary device through rich declarations of self-worth.

Check out our post HERE for information about this duo's first book titled "I Am Enough" to further integrate positive self-talk within young learners.

Read Aloud - I Believe I Can, read by the Illustrator

Read Aloud - I Am Enough, read by the author

Breathing Makes It Better

Authored by: Christopher Willard and Wendy O'Leary

Illustrated by: Alea Marley

Recommended Age: Grade 1 and Up

Breathing Makes It Better was authored by Dr. Christopher Willard a Psychologist and Education Consultant and Wendy O'Leary a Health Educator, Trainer, and Educator. This children's book emphasizes the importance of breathwork within early learners while simultaneously walking the reader through the strategy. The illustrator, Alea Marley is a BIPOC artist, who provided the whimsical and textured illustrations of this practical and engaging children's book.

You can check out our curated booklist featuring Breathing Makes It Better at the following link: 5 Books with 5 Strategies to Support Students' Mental Health & Well Being

Read Aloud - read by the author

Imagination Like Mine

Authored by: Latashia M. Perry

Illustrated by: Brittany Jackson

Recommended Age: Preschool and Up

Jump through the beautiful imaginary worlds of our unnamed protagonist as they take us through charming scenes and scenarios. Authored and illustrated by two wonderful Black females, young readers discover pockets of self-affirmation and fuel for imaginative play! Throughout the story, readers are invited into imaginative worlds as the main character explores her uniqueness. The whimsical images calm and captivate readers through the illustrations of grand landscapes complemented by delicate details. The story concludes with positive self-talk celebrating individuality and play.

Read Aloud - read by Miss Erica's Reading Club

Ruby Finds A Worry

Authored and Illustrated by: Tom Percival

Recommended Age: Grade 3 and Up

Readers join Ruby as she struggles with a worry that begins to impact her ability to do things she loves. Ruby Finds A Worry is an engaging read providing children with a coping strategy to use when they are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety. The author, Tom Percival, personifies the worried emotion, providing young readers with a visual depiction of the feeling. The unique illustrations' of the worry enables young readers to grasp the cognitive load emotions can have on our mental health. This is the perfect read for any young learners who may need support with navigating big feelings!

Check out our post on Ruby Finds A Worry HERE.

Read Aloud - read by Sankofa

Enhancing Your Pedagogy

Direct & Indirect

Racial Trauma/Stressors

A trauma-informed practice involves the consideration of racialized-stressors. Presently as students interact within this current political climate they will be met with triggers, stressors, and discouragement as they make strides for racial justice. Within our racial literacy must come the acknowledgement of those challenges. Challenges that can feel defeating for adults let alone a child. The same way adults must actively support their well-being is the same way we must teach children strategies to support their well-being.

If you haven't yet, check out our posts discussing both direct and indirect racial-trauma/stressors, by clicking the images.

Looking for more reads to continue discussions? Check out our Feb 2020 Booklist: HERE

Click below to share with other educators!

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Thank you for your love and support,

Correnda Downey

Founder

RacialLiteracy.ca

Toronto, On