Learn With
Your Kids
A central goal of FORJ@Cabot is to foster racial awareness and productive dialogue among parents and families. Common inquiries we receive are:
Which kids' books have characters who represent our diverse families?
What can we read with our kids to spark productive dialogue and raise awareness about race?
What resources can white parents seek out to learn and become better allies?
Here, you'll find a curated set of titles that were recommended by Cabot parents and NPS educators. We welcome your suggestions as well!
Resources to explore with kids
We can learn with our kids through the books we choose to read together. Here are a few resources to spark inspiration and foster meaningful conversation among our families.
Community-led list: FORJ@Cabot gathered our Cabot community's recommendations for kids' books that feature characters of color and/or celebrate social justice. Here is the list for all to enjoy, and if you'd like to submit a recommendation, drop us an email and we'll add it!
In class: Cabot teachers continue to bring more diverse children's books into their classrooms over time, including these recent additions.
Additional ideas: There are many resources to support us online, including We Need Diverse Books and Books for Littles.
Resources for parents to keep learning
The following titles were suggested by Cabot parents and discussed during our FORJ@Cabot Parents Book Club and Podcast Club this year. Interested in joining one of those clubs? Click here to Get Involved.
Books
If you purchase books, we encourage you to seek out your local bookstore and/or a store owned by a Person of Color. If you need financial assistance to participate in the book club, contact FORJ@Cabot and we will help you.
Non-Fiction
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? - Beverly Daniel Tatum
The Origins of Others - Toni Morrison
Fiction
Such a Fun Age - Kiley Reid
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You - Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi
The New Kid - Jerry Craft
Podcasts
About reparations
(Video) Confronting Racial Injustice: Slavery, Wealth Creation, and Intergenerational Wealth - Massachusetts Historical Society & Northeastern University Law School's Criminal Justice Task Force
Who's 'Black Enough' for Reparations? - NPR / Code Switch
Radiolab Presents: More Perfect - American Pendulum 1 - The story of Korematsu v. United States
About race and friendship
What About Your Friends? - NPR/Ask Code Switch
Between Friends: Your Stories About Race & Friendship - NPR / Death, Sex & Money
About school segregation
Miss Buchanan's Period of Adjustment - Malcolm Gladwell / Revisionist History
Raising Kings: A Year of Love and Struggle in A New High School - 3-episode series - NPR / Code Switch
Three Miles - NPR / This American Life
Raising antiracist readers: A list from Newton Public Schools
Power of the Picture Book: A List for Raising Antiracist Readers
The Newton Public Schools Library Department -- including Jill Leibowitz, Cabot's wonderful librarian -- has curated this list of books for elementary-age kids. Click the link above to find online books, audio books, read-aloud books, and more. Or visit Cabot's library page for more information about what's happening in our kids' school library.
Have a recommendation?
If you have a resource you'd love to share with others, or if you have feedback about any of the resources mentioned on this page, don't be shy. We approach our learning with humility and open minds, and we would love to hear from you at cabotpto.forj@gmail.com