resources

Here you will find different kinds of links, including to booklists, indie publishers, blogs, book box services, and more. 

Here is one list called Book Recommendations for California Elementary School Teachers.

You can also find almost all of the books from these lists in one booklist, with the option to buy and support independent booksellers, here. Please note, Laura hasn't read every one of these books. Let us know if you find anything problematic or want to give feedback on the list. 

​Note: To suggest books or resources for elementary H-SS learners, please complete this contact form.

California H-SS Standards-adjacent Book Recommendations

• KINDERGARTEN  – LEARNING AND WORKING NOW AND LONG AGO 
• FIRST GRADE – A CHILD’S PLACE IN TIME AND SPACE 
• GRADE TWO – PEOPLE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
• GRADE THREE – CONTINUITY AND CHANGE
• GRADE FOUR – CALIFORNIA: A CHANGING STATE
• GRADE FIVE – US HISTORY (18th century)

Appendices

• BIOGRAPHIES

Bay Area Bookstores
Marcus Books, Bandung Books, Walden Pond, Pegasus, The Multicultural Children’s Bookstore, Eastwind Books, Ashay by the Bay, Books Inc., Mr. Mopps, 

Bay Area Indie Children’s Book Publishers and Book Creators
Maya Gonzalez and Matthew Smith - Reflection Press (LGBQTI+ and gender, diverse books and resources); Janine Macbeth - Blood Orange Press (diverse, grassroots and local, LGBQTI+, bilingual); Robert Trujillo - Come Bien Books (Black/Latinx author/illustrator of many great books); Innosanto Nagara (local activist author/illustrator); Bay Area Book Creators - #ownvoices, social justice book creators for schools and events; Social Justice Holiday Book Fair; Fighting for Justice series Facebook page and website; Bridge and Delta Publishing (Filipino American); Sagawa River Press (Filipino American)

Additional Resources - These are blogs, sites for vetted booklists, and places to learn more about children's books

• Zetta Elliott’s blog: http://www.zettaelliott.com/blog/
• Maya Gonzalez’s blog: http://www.mayagonzalez.com/blog/
• The Bull Horn Blog: https://thebullhornblog.org
• Laura Jiminez’s blog, Book Toss: https://booktoss.blog
• Edi Campbell’s Crazy Quilts blog: https://crazyquiltedi.blog
• Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Cynsations blog and resources: https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/cynsations/
• And voices of other #diversityjedi, including Sarah Park Dahlen, Ebony Thomas and others. Read more about this concept/grouping here: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2018/06/diversity-jedi/
• American Indians In Children’s Literature: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com
• Gold Chains: The Hidden History of Slavery in California
• The Reading While White blog: http://readingwhilewhite.blogspot.com
• Cooperative Children’s Book Center and their multicultural booklist: http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/books/multicultural.asp
• Disability in Kidlit: https://disabilityinkidlit.wordpress.com
• I’m Here. I’m Queer. What the Hell Do I Read? https://www.leewind.org
• Latinxs in Kidlit: https://latinosinkidlit.com
• Social Justice Books offers an excellent searchable booklist: https://socialjusticebooks.org
• The Brown Bookshelf: https://thebrownbookshelf.com
• The Conscious Kid: https://www.theconsciouskid.org and active on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconsciouskid/?ref=br_rs
• We Need Diverse Books: https://diversebooks.org and ways to find diverse books: https://diversebooks.org/resources/where-to-find-diverse-books/
• First Nations Development Institute offers a booklist of recommended children’s books: https://www.firstnations.org/knowledge-center/books/
• Multiculturalism Rocks blog: https://multiculturalism.rocks
• ​Books for Littles provides great resources with lots of information on diverse books and topics: https://booksforlittles.com
  
  

Early Learner Resources

• Flamingo Rampant
• Little Feminist
• Ourshelves
• Wee the People​
• The Bull Horn

Above and all manzanita header photos by Elaine Miller Bond