Using Picture Books to Promote Empathy, Belonging, and Social Justice in Pre-K and Kindergarten (Paperback)

Isauro M. Escamilla

ISBN 10: 0807783951 / ISBN 13: 9780807783955

Published by Teachers' College Press, New York, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. This timely book offers preschool and kindergarten teachers practical, research-based strategies for how to use culturally relevant picture books to discuss social justice and equity with young children. It includes activities and dozens of recommended childrens books that will help students understand their own social, cultural, and linguistic identities.Challenging outdated literacy norms, this book calls on educators to center picture books about childrens different identities, talents, and lived experiences. The authors show how picture books rooted in social justice and equity become powerful tools for fostering critical thinking, empathy, a sense of belonging, and meaningful dialogue. Through shared reading and thoughtful discussion, teachers can help young learners explore big ideas, such as fairness, culture, and identity.Now is the time to place powerful stories in the hands of young learners. Let this book be your guide to cultivating classrooms where equity is not just an ideal, but a daily reality.Book Features:Provides in-depth descriptions of effective classroom strategies for using picture books with social justice content and images.Alleviates teachers potential discomfort around social justice and equity by using childrens literature to identify and discuss unfair practices in the world.Highlights the capacity for young children to engage in critical conversations when developing their notions of themselves and the world they live in.Includes annotated lists of recommended childrens picture books, websites, podcasts, and videos. Providing practical, research-based strategies, this guide shows preschool and kindergarten teachers how culturally relevant picture books spark conversations on social justice, fairness, and identity. It offers engaging activities and curated recommendations that nurture empathy, critical thinking, and belonging. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780807783955

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Using Picture Books to Promote Empathy, Belonging, and Social Justice in Pre-K and Kindergarten (Paperback)
• Publisher: Teachers' College Press, New York
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0807783951
• ISBN 13: 9780807783955
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

This timely book offers preschool and kindergarten teachers practical, research-based strategies for how to use culturally relevant picture books to discuss social justice and equity with young children. It includes activities and dozens of recommended children’s books that will help students understand their own social, cultural, and linguistic identities.

Challenging outdated literacy norms, this book calls on educators to center picture books about children’s different identities, talents, and lived experiences. The authors show how picture books rooted in social justice and equity become powerful tools for fostering critical thinking, empathy, a sense of belonging, and meaningful dialogue. Through shared reading and thoughtful discussion, teachers can help young learners explore big ideas, such as fairness, culture, and identity.

Now is the time to place powerful stories in the hands of young learners. Let this book be your guide to cultivating classrooms where equity is not just an ideal, but a daily reality.

Book Features:

• Provides in-depth descriptions of effective classroom strategies for using picture books with social justice content and images.
• Alleviates teachers’ potential discomfort around social justice and equity by using children’s literature to identify and discuss unfair practices in the world.
• Highlights the capacity for young children to engage in critical conversations when developing their notions of themselves and the world they live in.
• Includes annotated lists of recommended children’s picture books, websites, podcasts, and videos.

About the Author

Isauro M. Escamilla is an assistant professor of elementary education at San Francisco State University. Iliana Alanís is professor of early childhood and elementary education at the University of Texas-San Antonio. Daniel Meier is professor of elementary education at San Francisco State University.