Mirrors & Windows: Developing anti-racist education through books
Books have the power to shape the way children see themselves and the world. They can act as mirrors that reflect what we know about ourselves and the world we live in. They can also act as windows into worlds and experiences that are different to our own.
As educators, it’s important that the books we choose reflect the lives of all our children and the diverse and interconnected world we live in.
Stories and ‘story time’ offer opportunities for conversations about race and social justice with learners of all ages. Thoughtful selection of books and their use can support children to develop empathy, understand different perspectives and celebrate diversity.
This ‘Mirrors and Windows’ guide encourages you to critically reflect on the resources in use in your school and nursery and provides practical guidance for auditing and using books in your setting.
The resource is written for primary teachers and nursery practitioners but there is lots of relevance in the guide for secondary schools and librarians.
Download the resource here:
Our recommended book lists can be accessed from within the guide but are also available here:
We have boxes of our recommended books for each level that can be loaned out for free to settings and schools in the Inverness area. If you would like to borrow a box of books, please contact info@highlandoneworld.org.uk. Please also get in touch if you find this resource useful, as we’d love to hear from you.
We are very grateful to the Inverness Common Good Fund for supporting the creation of this resource and the book boxes. Thanks also to Mya Chemonges-Murzynowska of the African Caribbean Asian and Mixed Heritage Association (ACAMHA) who worked with us on the resource, and all the teachers and nursery practitioners who reviewed the guide and gave us their feedback.
