01/06/2025
Books Are Never Just Books:
Walk into any ELC, primary or secondary classroom and you’ll find books everywhere—on shelves, in story corners, quiet areas, libraries etc.
But take a moment to ask:
Whose stories are being told? Who gets to be the hero? Who is missing?
ACAMHA, in partnership with Highland One World, we’ve created a new resource to help educators and practitioners look at their libraries—and their teaching—through an anti-racist lens.
Because children’s books aren’t just about language or imagination.
They shape identity.
They build empathy.
And they send powerful messages about who belongs.
Grounded in the Mirrors and Windows theory, this guide supports practitioners to:
📖 Choose books that reflect children’s own identities (mirrors)
🌍 Share stories that offer insight into other lived experiences (windows)
💬 Use literature to open up age-appropriate conversations about race, fairness, and belonging
The ideas is that the resources will offer A practical guide to critically appraise your book collection and create a platform where you can challenge biases and spark discussions. These resources have been carefully created to help eleviate the pressure on teaching staff when it comes to finding age appropriate books.
You don’t need to start from scratch—just start with intention.
To download the guide and the book lists, visit
Mirrors & Windows: Developing anti-racist education through books Books have the power to shape the way children see themselves and the world. They can act as mirrors that reflect what we know about ourselves and the world we live in. They can also act as windows into worlds and experiences that are...
