Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity reflects the differences in the way people’s brains work, acknowledges that there is no "correct" brain pathway, and embraces the wide range of perceptions, responses, and approaches to learning and being in the world. Neurodiversity awareness helps to reduces the stigma for people with autism, ADHD, and learning disorders.

Black Lives Matter

By embracing the Black Lives Matter social and political movement in our reading selections, we seek to undermine racism, discrimination, and racial inequality experienced by Black people in the hopes of building a foundation of justice, healing, and true equality for Black people and within society.

Uplifting LGBTQIA2S+ & Disability Narratives Using Social-Emotional Learning

Gender roles are culturally influenced stereotypes that generate expectations around appropriate behavior for males and females. Children start to understand gender roles as young as age four. Books play an important role in gender socialization, and we look for books that offer a range of gender roles and behaviors, avoid binary or rigid  characters, and celebrate difference.

Social-emotional learning focuses on developing and using skills, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making, that help support healthy grown and positive relationships.

One in four adults in the United States have some sort of disability. We look for books that offer include disability awareness and help children gain empathy about people with disabilities and fosters the importance of inclusivity.

Amplifying Indigenous Voices & Latine/x Heritage

We look for books that to honor the rich traditions of Indigenous peoples and provide a window into the contemporary reality of Native Americans & other First Nations people around the globe.

The Hispanic/Latine/x community is complex and rich; I look for books that showcase & celebrate the diasporic experience, culture, and identity.