Every now and then a teacher comes across a resource that takes up permanent residence on the book shelf and becomes a guidepost and roadmap for instructional design. For any educator who values the use of children’s literature as a teaching tool for social issues, this book is that resource. Focusing on themes of identity affirmation, notions of family, developing and maintaining friendships, nurturing a sense of belonging, and understanding the world on a global level, Colabucci and Napoli introduce readers to hundreds of titles along with ideas for implementing them in early childhood instruction. Each chapter includes focus questions to set the stage, as well as an interview with a known children’s book author on the theme under examination. Recommended texts are up-to-date, readily available, and have strong literary quality. Also included are extension activities and resources such as websites, podcasts, and software applications. Most importantly, this book offers educators the opportunity to learn about having clear and open conversations with children on the social issues that affect their lives through the lens of engaging and relatable stories. Highly recommended.

Choice Reviews

“Lesley Colabucci and Mary Napoli’sBooks as Partners: Diverse Literature for the Early Childhood Classroom builds upon their impressive individual and joint scholarship on the place and value of children’s books in pedagogical contexts. This volume provides much-needed guidance for educators seeking to select high-quality, authentic, and accurate diverse youth literature for use in classrooms and libraries. Centering on themes such as families, friendship, and understanding the world, individual chapters provide overviews, criteria for evaluation, classroom vignettes, and lists of recommended books. Books as Partners is a valuable resource for educators, administrators, and all who care about identifying and choosing exemplary diverse literature for young readers.”

Thomas Crisp, Georgia State University; President-Elect of the Children's Literature Association; Co-Editor of the Journal of Children's Literature

“This captivating text advocates for young readers’ exposure to diverse books through thematic studies of topics that can pique their interests and evoke critical conversations. Young readers find pleasure in the everyday things around them. Sharing culturally diverse texts help them see themselves and the experiences of others through different lenses. Readers will enjoy perusing and sharing the text sets and vast array of diverse contemporary children’s books available. A must have for early childhood classrooms and school libraries.”

Ruth McKoy Lowery, PhD, The Ohio State University; President-Elect of the Children's Literature Assembly