A Decolonized Reading List for Children aged 3-5

As a parent of an almost 4 year old, we’ve been trying to source and read anti-racist books since she was born. Here are four beautiful books that we love. Some of these are new to us, and some of them we’ve read from her birth. Each of these books are by a Black or Indigenous author, and celebrates Black & Indigenous beauty and excellence. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. 

Parker Looks Up

Author: Parker and Jessica Curry
Illustrator: Brittany Jackson 

NYT Bestseller - Featuring the now-viral story of young Parker Curry visiting the National Portrait Gallery, and being stopped in her tracks by the beautiful Amy Sherald portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama.

I Am Perfectly Designed 

Author: Karamo and Jason “Rachel” Brown
Illustrator: Anoosha Syed

Written by the real life father-son duo featured in this book in collaboration with APIDA illustrator Anoosha Syed, this is a wonderful book about the father-son relationship they have, featuring in the background the different communities that surround this family, including the queer communities that Karamo Brown is known for in his role in Queer Eye. 

My Heart Fills With Happiness

Author: Monique Gray Smith
Illustrator: Julie Flett

My Heart Fills With Happiness is a joyful portrait of the communal experience for a child, dedicated to ‘former Indian Residential School students.’ The art is exquisite and fills the heart with joy and features a variety of First Nations children at different ages, enjoying the simple things in life.  

God’s Dream 

Author: Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams 
Illustrator:  LeUyen Pham

This is a beautiful and simply/clearly expressed book for children 3 about God’s vision of a  just world, from a Christian but inclusive world view. It touches upon the importance of reconciliation when we have wronged each other, and also talks in an easy-to-understand way to children about all the different ways people of the world look, speak, and worship.