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Books and Resources to Help You Raise Anti-Racist Children

by the Brightly Editors

America is still deeply racially divided. At Brightly we’re committed to helping you raise kids that are not only “not racist” but who are actively “anti-racist.” When we are anti-racist, we speak out against the human injustices that happen every day, because change does not come from staying silent.

It’s never too early to talk to children about race. According to HealthyChildren.org, “As early as 6 months, a baby’s brain can notice race-based differences. By ages 2 to 4, children can internalize racial bias. By age 12, many children become set in their beliefs — giving parents a decade to mold the learning process, so that it decreases racial bias and improves cultural understanding.”

Books play an important role in combating racial bias. Children need to see themselves and their experiences represented in the books they read, and perhaps even more crucial, they need to read about the experiences of people who are different from them. Sharing stories fosters empathy and understanding, allowing readers to gain new perspective by walking in someone else’s shoes.

Reading books featuring BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) characters and experiences provides a great way to start a conversation about race with the kids in your life. But support for these communities goes well beyond that. We’ve complied further reading resources for parents, caregivers, and educators — from how to talk to your kids about protests to understanding white privilege. If we truly wish to see change happen, it’s vital that we put in the work, with and for our children.

Further Reading

Resources for Parents:

Resources for Educators:

More Anti-Racism Resources for Adults 

Editor’s Note: This article was published in 2020 and updated in 2022.