Resisting Erasure: The Power of Black Stories & Women’s History in Children’s Books

Join me in this episode of Reading To Connect as I sit down with Rio Cortez, author of The ABCs of Black History and The ABCs of Women’s History, to explore how children’s books can resist erasure and bring diverse voices to the forefront of history.

We dive into the power of representation in children’s literature, the thought process behind selecting historical figures, and the ways parents can use books to spark meaningful conversations about history, justice, and identity. Rio shares her journey as a poet and author, the impact of her work in classrooms, and how books can empower young readers to see themselves in history.

What You’ll Learn:

- How The ABCs of Black History and The ABCs of Women’s History challenge traditional narratives and center diverse voices.- The process of choosing historical figures for children’s books—and making peace with who gets left out.- How parents and caregivers can use books as tools for deeper conversations with their kids.

Tune in to discover how we can use books to ensure our stories—and our children’s—are seen, heard, and celebrated.

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