Kendra Scott Fundraiser for Read Your World!

Read Your World is hosting another Kendra Scott fundraiser just in time for the holidays. Browse now at KendraScott.com to gift and give back!

Then, from December 3rd through December 8th, purchase your items using give back code: GIVEBACK-HMQTU and 20% of your purchase will go to nonprofit, Read Your World.

Read Your World is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness about children’s books that celebrate diversity and inclusion, and to get more of these books into the hands of readers.

We envision a world where all children have equal access to literature that reflects the diversity of human experiences. By promoting and distributing diverse books and highlighting diverse authors, we strive to create a future where every child feels seen, valued, and inspired by the stories they read, leading to a more empathetic and inclusive society.

Together, we can change the world one book at a time.

Read Your World is a non-profit whose mission is to ensure that every child has access to diverse and inclusive children’s literature. By providing a wide range of books that reflect various cultures, identities, and experiences, we aim to foster literacy, empathy, and inclusivity in young readers. We believe that every child deserves to see themselves in the stories they read and to understand the world through the perspective of others.

We do this by:

Donating books to reviewers and classroom libraries.
Providing book lists and classroom kits to help parents, guardians, teachers, librarians, and readers find the diverse children’s books that they need.
Spotlighting children’s book creators with our weekly IG Live Interview series.

Impact Statement

Access to diverse children’s literature is crucial for fostering literacy, empathy, and inclusivity in young readers. As Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the UK’s newly appointed Children’s Laureate, advocates, it is imperative that “every child—from their earliest years—has access to books, reading, and the transformative ways in which they improve long-term life chances.”

Unfortunately, library closures, book bans, and limited access to diverse literature are widening the equality gap, making it more challenging to encourage reading among children. By promoting and distributing diverse books, creating book lists and classroom kits to spotlight diverse children’s books and authors, we strive to create a future where every child feels seen, valued, and inspired by the stories they read, leading to a more empathetic and inclusive society. We also advocate against book bans and censorship, believing that all children should have the freedom to explore a wide range of stories and perspectives.

In the USA, publishing data by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center shows that in 2018, there were more children’s books about animals and other non-human characters than all people of color (POC) combined (27% vs. 23%). Over half of all books featured white characters, with only 1% featuring Indigenous characters, 5% Latinx characters, and 7% Asian-Pacific Islanders. Book bans further restrict access to these important stories, depriving children of the opportunity to see themselves and others reflected in literature.

Research shows that children exposed to diverse books are not only more likely to develop better literacy skills but also show a significant reduction in biases and racism. Studies also show that diverse books can play a significant role in promoting empathy among young readers. Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison indicates that exposure to diverse characters in books can significantly reduce implicit biases in children, fostering a more inclusive and accepting attitude toward people from different backgrounds.

Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk found that children who have access to culturally relevant texts are more engaged and motivated to read, leading to higher literacy rates and academic achievement. Diverse books also help children develop empathy and emotional intelligence by exposing them to various life experiences and challenges faced by characters from different backgrounds. It is essential to address these disparities and ensure all children have access to diverse, inclusive stories that represent and value their experiences.

Sources:

p.s. Related posts:

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