D is for Diversity

And Also for Difference…

And at Stib we believe those differences should be celebrated, because it’s those differences - the diversity of cultures, religion, race, gender, languages and history across the globe and in our own communities - which makes the world go around and life so much more interesting! What’s more, in a day and age where technology has made us ever more connected, where we are seeking to travel more, experience more, we must endeavour to teach our children not only the importance of embracing diversity but the importance of acceptance and understanding too.

So for this week’s A to Z of brands we love we have specifically focused upon books which help us as parents to achieve this. Happy reading!

Thea Chops Books

Empowering and inclusive books for both boys and girls, we are huge fans of the award winning Thea Chops. Increasingly fed up with pink princesses who waited for the handsome prince to whisk her off her feet, mum to one and now author and publisher, Suzanne Hemming, decided to take matters into her own hands and start writing and publishing books which she felt would be more inspirational for our youngest generation herself! Suzzane and Thea Chops Books believe in sharing messages of equality and acceptance, and teaching our little ones that they can be whoever they want in life! Written in rhyming prose and beautifully illustrated, She’s Not Good for a Girl, She’s Just Good follows protagonist Florence as she challenges the perception that girls are rubbish at sport while and The Queen Engineer, is about acceptance and how Florence learns to follow her dreams! www.theachopsbooks.com

Lemon Drop Books

This series of story books featuring non-white characters was thought up by Mark Lemon. With two mixed-race children of his own, and much like Suzanne, Mark was frustrated by the lack of diversity in children’s book and so set out to write his own! His debut book, Otis Lemon & The Spectacular Submarine, was awarded Platinum in the Junior Design Awards Children’s Book category and his latest book, The Magical Wood, (which also won a Junior Design Award) was written in memory of his father who Mark unexpectedly lost at the age of just 12, and is designed to help others deal with childhood trauma, loss and grief. Other books in the range include the magical Thea Lemon & Her Super Sweet Fairy Godmother and Thea Lemon & Her Super Sporty Fairy Godmother. www.lemondropbooks.co.uk

The Boy at the Back of the Class

Winner of the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize 2019 and shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award 2019, this brilliantly heartwarming story is about friendship, compassion, hope, the bravery required to stand up for others and the importance of not judging people before you know them. It follows nine year old Syrian refugee, Ahmet, as he starts a new school in suburban London. His new classmates are at first puzzled though curious about the boys quiet nature and why he doesn’t smile, but then they learn his background and that he has been separated from his family and band together to reunite him with his loved ones. Full of characters which kids can both relate to and be inspired by, and with not a stereotype in sight, this book will make you laugh, and maybe cry, but ultimately leave you feeling uplifted. Author, Onjali Q. Raúf, is the founder and CEO of Making HerStory, a UK nonprofit that works to fight human trafficking and gender-based abuses and crimes. https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-boy-at-the-back-of-the-class/onjali-q-rauf/9781510105010

Who Am I, I Am Me

A great book about gender equality, stereotyping, acceptance and diversity. Main character, Frankie, loves dress-ups, playing soccer, visiting Grandpa, cooking pancakes, and so much more. Frankie loves what Frankie loves! Through Frankie’s active and fun encounters, readers soon learn that in Frankie’s world there are no gendered roles - kids are just kids! What we love about this book is the included questions which are designed to prompt conversations between parents, caregivers, educators and children around personal preferences whether that be toys, hobbies, games, books etc. It also features tips on how to tackling gender stereotyping too. It’s written with the aim of helping to break down gender norms and encourage children to follow their true passions  so that they become the adults they were born to be. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Am-stereotyping-acceptance-diversity/dp/1925089312

The Girl with Two Dads

Aimed at 4-7 year olds, this book focuses upon same sex parenting. Written in a light-hearted manner so that it’s easy for young minds to understand, it manages to very simply convey that not everyone has a mum and a dad, that there are actually many different family set ups.  The book is part of the Pearl Power series which follows feisty five-year-old, Pearl, who very strongly believes in gender equality. Other stories include Pearl Power and the Toy Problem which tackles the issue of ‘boy toys’ and ‘girl toys’ and the original Pearl Power which very cleverly demonstrates how girls are equally as awesome as boys! The books are written in rhyme so they’re beautiful to read and listen to. https://shop.ilovemel.me/products/the-girl-with-two-dads