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Central Standard

Kansas City Authors Recommend Diverse Children's Books

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Children’s literature is becoming more and more diverse, but choosing which books to share with children can still be difficult. 

KCUR’s Central Standard recently welcomed Kansas City authors Christine Taylor-Butler and Traci Sorell to a discussion of how representations of race in children’s literature have changed over time.

Here are their recommendations for books with diverse and nuanced characters and storylines.

Christine Taylor-Butler, children’s book author:

Traci Sorell, children’s book author:

  • Little You by Richard Van Camp, Dogrib Nation
  • Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Muscogee Nation
  • When the Shadbush Blooms by Carla Messinger, Lenape Nation
  • Rock and Rock Highway by Sebastian Robertson, Mohawk Nation
  • Thunder Boy Jr. and The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Spokane Nation
  • Eagle Song by Joseph Bruchac, Abenaki Nation
  • Indian Shoes and Rain Is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith
  • In The Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III, Rosebud Sioux
  • If I Ever Get Out Of Here by Eric Gansworth, Onondaga Nation
  • Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices edited by Lisa Charleyboy, Tsilhqot’in Nation, and Mary Beth Leatherdale

Anna Sturla is an intern at KCUR 89.3.