I don’t remember where I heard about this children’s book but A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara has got to be the best alphabet book ever! Not only do we have words like F is for Feminist but they also all have little rhymes to go along with them:
F is for Feminist.
For Fairness in pay.
For Freedom to Flourish
and choose our own way.
And the art! Nagara did the art himself. Its vivid, gorgeous colors, are a delight for the eye. The art itself is often simple but it works so well with the color that the book feels lush and rich.
I don’t know how a child would like the book, but as an adult, if this book became one that a kid wanted me to read over and over I don’t think I would mind so much. Admittedly, kids are not likely to understand all the letters in the book, but that’s ok, because I would think it would provide plenty of opportunity to talk to the child about what justice is or what LGBTQ means.
So if you are looking for a children’s book that isn’t pink or filled with cars or talking animals, you really can’t go wrong here. My niece is pregnant and due in April. She is having a girl and they attended the women’s march in their town. When Bookman and I send baby some gifts in a couple months, this book will be part of the package.
I also read another children’s book by Nagara, My Night in the Planetarium. It is a true story about when he was a boy in Indonesia. His father was (and is) a playwright, poet and actor who wrote a play against “the General” who was in power at the time. At first the General ignored it but it became too popular and troops were sent to arrest Nagara’s father and all the actors after their biggest performance yet. But they all got away and went into hiding for a little while.
The story has a happy ending and Nagara’s father is acting in movies and has become very famous now.
The book is more complex than the alphabet book and the art is too. The color is just as rich, but the drawings are a bit more detailed. Definitely a book for slightly older children, kindergarten maybe? The story has peril and excitement, sure to hold a child’s attention. And by its very nature it teaches the importance of standing up for what is right without making it into a moral lesson.
Good stuff!
I agree these look like great children’s books. I also agree that books such as these open up chances to go beyond just taking information in, but to talk about issues.
Just judging from the covers, the artwork looks like adults might enjoy it too.
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Brian Joseph, I think too that kids want to know about these sorts of things and that they should know. Adults need to step up and be willing to talk to them honestly about it and these books provide good opportunity to do so. The artwork is beautiful and a number of the pages made me think, wow I would like this as a framed print on my wall 🙂
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Glad to know about these, because I am expecting twin babies in just a few more weeks! Down the road I will surely want some books with more substance to mix up with the standard picture book fare!
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Sarrah, yes! You and your little babies once they get older will love these!
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That’s on my TBR, so I”m glad to hear that you found it rewarding. I’ll take a peek too!
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buried, I liked A is for Activist better, but both books were really good and definitely no standard children’s fare
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I’ll find out how my girls react to A is for Activist because I just bought it (thanks to your review)! Activism has been a major topic of conversation in our household lately for obvious reasons. It looks like this book will contribute to our discussions.
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AMB, oh excellent! Be sure to share what they think about it!
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Good to know about A Is For Activist. I also have a family member who is having a girl soon so I should get this for her!
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Iliana, it is a lovely book worthy of gifting 🙂
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I love children’s books and often stop and browse through (sometimes read…..sshh, don’t tell) the juvvies that cross my desk. There is such a wonderful variety these days–it is very inspiring to see these days!
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Danielle, I don’t have much chance to see children’s books so I am delightfully surprised when I discover just how much variety there is and how wonderful they are these days. It makes me glad I will soon have a small person to buy books for 🙂
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These both sound great! I’m adding My Night in the Planetarium to my neice and nephew’s list for sure (I do an advent calendar for them each year and try to make sure there are diverse reads in it). A is for Activist sounds amazing but perhaps too much for my more conservative sister and brother-in-law? (Canadian conservative that is.)
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amckiereads, very cool regarding the advent calendar! As for A is for Activist, if your sister and brother-in-law are conservatives who believe in social justice and diversity then the book might work for them.
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