Make It (Your Bookshelf) Cute With OurShelves
Our friends at OurShelves have made their next special delivery directly to one of our adorable indoor playhouses to launch the back-to-school season! We are excited to share these expertly curated diverse children's books to kick off the return to school.
Back To School
As we gear up for back-to-school, there are bound to be tons of feelings coming to the surface about the start of a new school year. As caregivers, we may feel excitement about our return to routine and nostalgia for our kids growing up so quickly. On the other hand, children may be feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension at the unknown coming their way. The three books above are perfect for the back-to-school jitters that may accompany a new school year. They are comforting while offering a glimpse into other's experiences and starting something new. While children may relate to these feelings, they may also build empathy through reading these stories since they may portray different scenarios. These books, enjoyed in our calming playhouses, are the perfect pairing for the start of a new school year!
The Books!
- The Day You Begin—OurShelves founder Alli rates this #1 as a go-to gift for kids starting a new school year!
The story highlights the beauty of individuality. It follows the journey of various children who have experienced the feeling of being an outsider among their peers. The story emphasizes the importance of bravery, as it leads to discovering that every new friend possesses similarities and brings something unique.
- Glad, Glad Bear - A beautiful story with simple language that will appeal to all.
The main character, Bear, challenges traditional gender norms (uses he/him pronouns and is taking a ballet class) in this adorable and relatable book. Bear is excited to start something new but nervous, too. As he preps for his first class, he feels a range of emotions but ultimately rejoices in doing what he loves: dancing!
- Danbi Leads the School Parade - A tale of how sharing your culture with others can bring people closer together!
Danbi is South Korean and starting school in America for the first time. While she's excited to join her peers on her first day of school, she quickly realizes that learning new dances and games is tricky and impedes her from jumping right in. Although everything does not come automatically, she does not give up. She introduces a game of her own, a parade, which ultimately brings her and her classmates together!
The Diversity Difference
Just like engaging in many different activities is good for physical health, reading a diverse set of books is also essential for our well-being. Each type of book provides us with new information or a view into another person's world, which provides a perspective we wouldn't have experienced otherwise. These variations make up a healthy worldview that expands our thinking beyond ourselves and our everyday experiences and helps us relate to others in a whole new way. It is never too early to begin reading to children. From birth, exposing children to books has many benefits, specifically in the realm of language development and future academic success, according to Psychology.com.
Reading diverse books helps:
- Build empathy and understanding
- Boost cognitive skills
- Support social and emotional development
- Encourage inclusivity and respect
- Foster a love of reading
- Enhance academic achievement
If you are interested in learning more about the importance of diverse books for all children, check out our previous post, which covers this topic in detail.
Remix your Reading Routine
Is your reading routine feeling stale? Mix it up with these tips to add some fun to your book time!
- Change the time: If you usually read only at bedtime, incorporate it into other parts of your day.
- Add props: Use stuffed animals to act out the book or set them up as an audience to listen to the story. Your kids will love the company!
- Try out new voices: Pick a character (or two) in each book to read in a specific voice that fits them. It will add a layer to the reading experience that will engage your children.
OurShelves
The fabulous folks behind OurShelves are driving inclusivity in the KidLit (Kid Literature) world. OurShelves expertly curates diverse children's book boxes, available by subscription and in one-time boxes, with the belief that "all children and all families belong on OurShelves." OurShelves is revolutionizing the subscription book box market by creating quarterly diverse boxes that feature characters and families traditionally underrepresented in children's books–and books that kids love and want to read again and again! We are thrilled to have connected with them and happy to share their diverse book recommendations for back-to-school!
Connect With Us
Check out Make It Cute on Instagram @makeitcutekids and OurShelves on Instagram @OurShelvesKids to share your experiences with these books and recommend your favorites for back-to-school!