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Student Donates Anti-racist Books Across St. Paul

August 24, 2020

This summer, one student, who wished to remain anonymous, and their mother were looking for ways to help young kids in their community learn about antiracism. They realized that the Little Free Libraries that dot so many communities provided the perfect opportunity to get a selection of books out to families.

They chose a selection of children's books based on the recommendations of Black authors and Black-owned bookstores, then purchased 100 total books with donations from their community. The books were dropped off in 18 Little Free Libraries across St. Paul, with a note taped inside explaining why that book was chosen.

"Our hope is that these books will help families start talking with their young children about antiracism and its importance," the student said. "Furthermore, we also wanted to include books that display Black joy so that young Black children can see themselves represented in their books. This is also important so that young white children can see positive examples of their Black peers."

CDH is committed to antiracism and has hired an outside consultant to work with our staff as we seek to continuously improve our school and community.

The books donated included:

Dream Big, Little One - Vashti Harrison

I Am Enough - Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo

M is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child - Tiffany Rose

Hair Love - Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison

Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment - Parker Curry and Jessica Curry

Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship - Irene Latham and Charles Waters

Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up To Become Malcolm X - Ilyasah Shabazz and Ag Ford

Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America - Carole Boston Weatherford

I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Ave of Kindness - Kerascoet

That is My Dream! - Langston Hughes

The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalism Ethel L. Payne - Lesa Cline-Ransome