News Flash

Library - News & Events

Posted on: February 8, 2021

Promoting Diversity in Reading for Young Children

Hair Love News Flash

One thing you will always hear from librarians is how reading is fundamental. It's one of the staple accomplishments we can make in our early lives to set us on the road for being successful for the rest of our lives and it does so much for us. Inspires us to dream, challenges our thoughts and perceptions, teaches us about the world around us, and more.

As a black man today, I remember growing up without a great deal of books around me that were written with characters that were...well, like me. Or titles that amplified themes of self-identity, self-love, individuality, self-esteem, etc. As I progressed in school, I would be introduced to classics featuring black characters in supporting roles, and then being singled out and asked in front of classmates if I would be offended reading language that would be deemed offensive to people of my race, for in the time period the story took place, racially charged words were part of people's vernacular. Trust, I was not amused having to address these concerns in class as the representative of my entire race. I mean talk about being put on the spot.

Diversity in literature is important because, in some extent, unless you're part of a minority class, you never see the prevalence of how people are treated based on characteristics beyond their control. A great way to help lessen the need to notice our differences and feel something negative, is to have exposure to those who are different at a young age.

Something incredible I stumbled across on YouTube was a news story about two young boys, one black and the other white. They are the best of friends and do everything together. They love each other so much that they see themselves as brothers. They see themselves as so alike that one decided to cut his off, to match the style of his friend and their great idea was they were going to trick their teacher. They were going to walk into class the next day, wearing the same outfit, convinced the teacher would not be able to tell them apart. Of course as adults, their mothers knew that was not going to be enough to trick their teacher, it's the sentiment behind it that's so strong. The idea that the two friends could not see the differences in their skin color being something that made them different. It made me smile and hope that they would be able to hold on to that for the rest of their lives.  Take a look for yourself though...

Before I get even more lost in my prose, I'd simply like to take the time to highlight some great picture books available at your library that are empowering and featuring black characters. Take a look...

Sulwe Book CoverSulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Call Number: E NYONGO

When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but a shooting star's tale of the sisters Night and Day helps her understand there is beauty and worth in every shade.


I Am Enough Book CoverI Am Enough by Grace Byers
pictures by Keturah A. Bobo
Call Number: eAudiobook on Hoopla

This is a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another, from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers. Perfect for mothers and daughters, baby showers, and graduation. We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.

Hair Love Book CoverHair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Call Number: E CHERRY

A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.


Black is a Rainbow Color Book CoverBlack is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy
illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Call Number: E JOY

A child reflects on the meaning of being Black in this anthem about a people, a culture, a history, and a legacy that lives on"-- Provided by publisher. Includes historical and cultural notes, song list, and two poems.

Skin Again Book CoverSkin Again by Bell Hooks
illustrated by Chris Raschka
Call Number: E HOOKS

The poetic words of a child implore readers to find out who he really is by looking beyond the skin he's in, and finding their way inside his heart. In their most moving, dramatic, expressive children's book to date, bell hooks and Chris Raschka poignantly reflect the secret desires and needs of every child to be valued and cherished for his mind, his soul, and all he imagines himself to be. Like layers of skin, readers will peel away the pages of this book, and reveal at its heart all that it means to be at once human and humane.

I Believe I Can Book CoverI Believe I Can by Grace Byers
pictures by Keturah A. Bobo
Call Number: eAudiobook on Hoopla

I Believe I Can is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves, from actress and activist Grace Byers. My presence matters in this world. I know I can do anything, if only I believe I can.

Chocolate Me Book CoverChocolate Me! by Taye Diggs
illustrated by Shane Evans
Call Number: eAudiobook on Hoopla

Relates the experiences of a dark-skinned, curly-haired child who wishes he could look more like the lighter-skinned children in his community until his mother helps him realize how wonderful he is inside and out.

Homemade Love Book CoverHomemade Love by Bell Hooks
illustrated by Shane Evans
Call Number: E HOOKS

A girl who is Girlpie to her mama and Honey Bun Chocolate Dewdrop to her daddy savors the warmth and love of her family.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Library - News & Events

Stories and More

Noah Project to Lead New Storytime Series

Posted on: September 25, 2023
Cover to Cover

Join Us for October's Cover-to-Cover

Posted on: September 21, 2023
Family Board Games

Family Board Gaming Coming in October

Posted on: September 18, 2023
Art Book Club

Join Us at October's Art Book Club

Posted on: September 14, 2023
NF Librarian of the Year

Nominate the 2023 Librarian of the Year

Posted on: September 9, 2023
Lib-Con

Lib-Con 2023, October 5-7

Posted on: September 2, 2023
Amigurumi Aquarium

Help Build the Amigurumi Aquarium

Posted on: August 31, 2023
Mini Art Exhibit

Register for Annual Mini Art Exhibit

Posted on: August 27, 2023
Seed Library Vegetables

Growing Gardens with the Seed Library

Posted on: August 19, 2023
Events Calendar

View Mobile-Friendly Events Calendar

Posted on: August 15, 2023
Yo-Yo Club

Yo-Yo Club to Continue Through Winter

Posted on: August 11, 2023
Movie Showings

Let's All Go to the Movies!

Posted on: August 2, 2023
Bonus Borrows

Get Bonus Borrows on Hoopla

Posted on: August 1, 2023
Barbie Display

Barbie Now On Display @ Your Library

Posted on: July 31, 2023
Art Book Club

Join Library's New Art Book Club

Posted on: July 22, 2023
Amigurumi

Dive Into an Amigurumi Ocean Build

Posted on: July 22, 2023
Art in the Park

Youth to Go Solar for Art Project

Posted on: July 18, 2023
Summer Reading List

Access AISD Summer Reading List

Posted on: July 15, 2023
CALF Prizes

CALF Gifts Great Summer Prizes

Posted on: July 13, 2023
Bat Storytime

Snag Some Bat Swag at Storytime

Posted on: July 12, 2023
Launchpads

Takeoff with Launchpads for Kids

Posted on: June 27, 2023
New YouTube

New Home on YouTube

Posted on: May 16, 2023
NCCIL Collection

Come View New NCCIL Collection

Posted on: April 24, 2023
03-10 Meet the Author

Meet Author Jen Eikenhorst, Mar. 10

Posted on: February 27, 2023
Free Tax Info

Tax Help Starts Feb. 8, Appointment Only

Posted on: January 29, 2023
01-28 Big Day of Minis

Big Day of Minis Takes Over Library

Posted on: January 7, 2023
Library Cardholder Services

New Library Cardholder Services

Posted on: December 15, 2022
Friends Holiday Donation

Holiday Book Donation Schedule

Posted on: November 17, 2022
Holiday Schedule Infographic

New Holiday Hours for South Branch

Posted on: November 15, 2022
Miss DFW Events

Miss DFW Visit Library for Youth Events

Posted on: October 30, 2022
Business Mercado Graphic

Find us at the Business Mercado, Oct. 8

Posted on: September 29, 2022
Meet Author Kate Anger

Meet Author Kate Anger, Oct. 14

Posted on: September 22, 2022
National Night Out

See Us at National Night Out, Oct. 4

Posted on: September 22, 2022
Library Events

Watch Past Programming Online

Posted on: September 18, 2022
Buddy Walk Graphic

Find Us at the Buddy Walk, Sept. 17

Posted on: September 13, 2022
Monarch Butterfly News Flash

Learn About: Monarch Butterflies, Sept. 23

Posted on: September 12, 2022
Read to a Dog Day Infographic

Participate in Read to a Dog Day

Posted on: September 11, 2022
STEAM Solar Ovens Infographic

STEAM Turns to Solar Power, Sept. 17

Posted on: September 7, 2022
Mini Art Exhibit Infographic

Register for Annual Mini Art Exhibit

Posted on: September 5, 2022
Library Card Sign-Up Month Graphic

Sign-Up for Your Smart Card!!!

Posted on: September 1, 2022
Fall Gardening Infographic

Learn More About: "Fall Gardening"

Posted on: August 29, 2022
Lib-Con Panel News Infographic

Lead a Panel/Event @ Lib-Con, Oct. 8

Posted on: August 19, 2022
Hat Heat Press New Infographic

B.Y.O.H to Makerspace Workshop, Aug. 24

Posted on: August 17, 2022
Lib-Con News Infographic

Celebrate Lib-Con's Return Oct. 8

Posted on: August 13, 2022
Libby News Update

Suspending Digital Purchase Requests

Posted on: July 19, 2022
Free Legal Clinic News Flash

Register to Attend Free Legal Clinic

Posted on: July 12, 2022
Stories in the Garden Returns Infographic

Outdoor Summer Series for Youth

Posted on: May 31, 2022
Donation Hours Halted Infographic

Friends' Updated Donation Schedule

Posted on: May 22, 2022
Summer Reading Club Infographic

Summer Reading Clubs Starting Soon

Posted on: May 22, 2022
Photo of Julee Hatton and Marianne Vadney

City of Abilene Service Award

Posted on: March 17, 2022
Closed Sign for 02-24-22

Libraries to Close at 6PM; 02-24-22

Posted on: February 24, 2022
STEAM Kits

New STEAM Kits Heating Up the Collection

Posted on: February 23, 2022
Annual Report 21

Read What Your Library Did in 2021!

Posted on: February 13, 2022
FAFSA Workshop

Find Money for College with the FAFSA

Posted on: February 13, 2022
Libby News

Make the Switch to Libby in February

Posted on: January 28, 2022
Blind Date with a Book

Participate in Blind Date with a Book

Posted on: January 25, 2022
Study Rooms

Snag a Study Room @ Your Library

Posted on: January 19, 2022
Meeting Rooms

Book Meeting Room Space @ Your Library

Posted on: January 12, 2022
Creativebug

Crafting Made Easy with CreativeBug

Posted on: January 5, 2022
Cricut Mug Press

Personalize Your Mug with New Equipment

Posted on: December 30, 2021
Line Dancing

Get Footloose in New Library Series

Posted on: December 28, 2021
Libby News Graphic

Introducing Changes to Libby Service

Posted on: October 6, 2021
Food Databases

Foodies Unite with New Databases

Posted on: December 23, 2021
Holiday Schedule

Holiday Library Schedule

Posted on: December 23, 2021
BYOBook Club

New B.Y.O.Book Club Strikes in January

Posted on: December 20, 2021
Dyess AFB News Flash

Borrowing Extended to Dyess AFB

Posted on: December 18, 2021
Holiday Donation News Flash

Holiday Donation Schedule in November

Posted on: November 17, 2021
Pumpkin Decorating News

Be a Master Pumpkin Decorator

Posted on: October 4, 2021
Business Mercado News

Join Us at Business Mercado & More

Posted on: October 2, 2021
TeenTober News Flash

Celebrate TeenTober @ Your Library

Posted on: September 27, 2021
Teens Top 10

Vote for 2021's Teens' Top Ten!

Posted on: September 27, 2021
Book a Librarian

Register for Book-A-Librarian Online

Posted on: September 17, 2021
Pet Adoptions

Adopt a Pet at Your Library, Sept. 11

Posted on: September 1, 2021
Storytime Schedule

Storytime Lineup Changes on Sept. 1

Posted on: August 31, 2021
Library Card Sign-Up

National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Posted on: August 30, 2021
Stories and More

Stories & More, Live on TV Channel 2

Posted on: August 26, 2021
Cosplay Contest

Cosplay Contest Arrives on October 9!

Posted on: August 23, 2021
Cookbook Club

Cookbook Club Expands in September

Posted on: August 22, 2021
Harry Potter News

Harry Potter and the Summer of Fun

Posted on: May 24, 2021
Inclement Weather Icon

Library Remains Closed, Feb. 16

Posted on: February 15, 2021
Display Icon

Display Your Collectibles @ Your Library

Posted on: February 7, 2021
Free Tax Help Icon

Tax Help Arrives Feb. 10

Posted on: January 25, 2021
Inclement Weather Infographic

South Branch Closed, Jan. 10, 2021

Posted on: January 10, 2021
Pronunciator News Flash

Learn a New Language in 2021

Posted on: January 2, 2021
Annual Report News Flash

Library Annual Report Now Available

Posted on: November 24, 2020
Julee Hatton Video Screen Capture

Meet Library Director Julee Hatton

Posted on: November 23, 2020
Hoopla Logo

Bonus Borrows Returns from Hoopla!

Posted on: November 3, 2020
Virtual Classroom New Icon

Join the Library's Virtual Classroom

Posted on: September 13, 2020
Teenage Girl Sitting on a Pile of Books

Teens Vote for Top YA Reads!

Posted on: August 26, 2020
Lib-Con Postponed Button

Annual Mini-Con Pushed to 2021

Posted on: July 1, 2020
Hours of Operation Infographic

Welcome Back to Your Library!

Posted on: May 17, 2020
Travel Tickets and Models

Travel the World from Comfort of Home

Posted on: April 27, 2020
Inside the Library - Run4Reading

Participate in Run4Reading Fundraiser

Posted on: February 18, 2020
Bestsellers Feb 16

Reserve This Week's Best Sellers

Posted on: February 15, 2020
School Lunchbox Graphic

Learn to Make Lunch on the Go

Posted on: January 11, 2020
Fandom

Abilene Wide Open: Fandom Dance Party

Posted on: January 7, 2020
Learn Spanish Graphic

Register for Conversational Spanish Series

Posted on: December 22, 2019
Chopping Spree Book Cover

Cook Up Some Fun with a Culinary Mystery

Posted on: December 16, 2019