The Power of Books for Children

By Susan Peterson 

Books have the power to be windows and mirrors – reflecting and expanding on every child’s own experiences and adding an opportunity for learning.

Children are not born hating anything. What imprints division is their exposure to our own beliefs and society. As parents, our job is not only to teach our children to be self-sufficient but also to be good citizens. A great way of doing this is through books. 

Here I present some of my favorite diverse books for toddlers and preschoolers. Some of these books address race, gender, and emotions; some are books that simply reflect the diversity in the world. 

Susan Peterson is the director of Young Minds Preschool in West L.A., the founder of Storge Mindful Parenting, and an El Segundo resident.