Spark meaningful conversations about race, identity, and social justice in your classroom using read alouds as an entry point.
Students need to see themselves and their peers in the books they read, and to engage with varying viewpoints. How can educators create a safe and nurturing space that inspires young children to explore diversity and ask curious questions?
In Rebellious Read Alouds, author Vera Ahiyya―beloved by educators worldwide as The Tutu Teacher (@thetututeacher and @diversereads on Instagram)―empowers teachers to encourage classroom conversations about important and culturally relevant topics using daily read alouds as an entry point. Presenting a broad range of read aloud lessons around current, diverse picture books that can ignite deep conversations and learning about self, others, and the world, this wise and joyful guide prepares educators to tackle "hushed topics" with young children. It includes:
- Booklists, tools, and recommendations for building an inclusive classroom library of titles written or illustrated by people in traditionally marginalized populations
- Tips and resources for facilitating diversity conversations in a way that’s developmentally appropriate ― and meets ELA and social justice standards
- 45 complete lessons plans around children’s books, with prompts and recommended stopping points for conversation, and suggestions for inspiring discussion and scaffolding deep thinking
- Interviews with educators and parents who offer advice from their experience doing rebellious read alouds
- Suggestions for partnering with administration, parents, and colleagues on this important work
Spark the rebellious reader inside you and lead your students toward creating a more just and equitable world.
Vera Ahiyya (nee Corbett) was born in Germany, and raised in El Paso, Texas. Originally a pre-med student, Vera realized her calling as an educator at Austin College in Sherman, TX, a calling shared by many of her family, including her beloved Papa. Vera majored in History and Psychology and earned her MA in Education. Vera has taught Kindergarten and first grade for 16 years in Texas, Massachusetts, and Brooklyn.
Vera’s love for children’s books has led to her becoming an Instagram book influencer where she showcases her love of children’s literature and highlights books and authors that discusses the necessity and power of diversity and voice in children’s books. Vera uses her extensive online presence to advocate for teachers to be purposeful and always inclusive with their choice of text in their classrooms.
Following a video showing Vera discussing racism with her Kindergarten class that went viral and was shown on Good Morning America, Vera was approached to write her first children’s book, You Have a Voice which will be released in December 2021. She has other titles in the works.
Vera lives in Brooklyn with her husband Lonnell and dog Mozi. You can find her on Instagram at @thetututeacher.
