Diversity and representation in children's literature are vital for kids growing into curious, compassionate, and confident young leaders.   

Research shows numerous benefits of diversity in children’s literature, including improved empathy, cultural and global awareness, and greater self-esteem. Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, also known as the “mother of multicultural children's literature,” created a theoretical framework called “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” for understanding how important diverse books are for children developing into well-rounded global citizens. Diverse books can act as “mirrors” that reflect children’s lives back to them, offering validation, creating a sense of belonging and nurturing positive racial and cultural identities from an early age; “windows” that give young readers a glimpse into the lives of others, broadening their perspective of the world and teaching them to recognize our shared humanity; and “sliding glass doors,” transporting readers into the world of the story and allowing them to experience different cultures, historical periods, and social situations first-hand. For children and families of all backgrounds, diverse books act as powerful tools that help to build greater understanding, teach children to embrace the multicultural world in which we live, and create a more just society. 

As a literacy organization committed to racial equity, Reading Is FUNdamental Pittsburgh provides books that help affirm children’s lives, strengthen their voices and encourage them to dream big for their futures. We prioritize Black-centered stories, by Black authors and illustrators, reflecting the primarily Black communities we serve. We also focus on providing books that celebrate a wide range of cultures, experiences and identities – not only those of the Black youth and families we serve in our community, but also those of people from all around the world and all walks of life. Our book selections often stem from award lists that highlight popular, culturally diverse titles, librarian recommendations, and conversations with the kids, families and teachers we serve.  

Some of the popular and diverse books we’re featuring include Something, Someday by poet and activist Amanda Gorman, a story about the power in us all to make small changes, every day to create a better world; the joyful and inspiring My Fade is Fresh by Shauntay Grant, which celebrates all different types of hair textures and styles; and terrific page-turners for older readers like the best-selling novel Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia, which follows the heroic adventures of a young teenager as he encounters African American folk figures and West African gods on a quest of mythic proportions.  

At every Storymobile visit, Reading Celebration, mentoring session, and community event we participate in, our team has the opportunity to inspire children through the diverse stories we share, fostering a more fair and just community for all.