December 29, 2022 | Benay Hicks
Book Harvest promotes and shares books that portray all children, honoring diverse backgrounds, languages, abilities, and perspectives, and including stories by and about people of color. We believe that books should serve as mirrors and windows for all children: in order to become avid readers and to reap the full benefits of lifelong literacy, children have to see both themselves and worlds beyond their own in the stories they read. (Learn more about our commitment to Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors.)
In February 2021, we began featuring five children’s books each month that feature diverse cultures and characters, that were written and illustrated by individuals who offer different perspectives, and that honor a monthly theme. You can see 2021’s Featured Five books here.
Featured Five 2022 is another exceptional list of books, researched and compiled for you by Amy Franks, Associate Director of Learning Partnerships. They are listed for you below and in this document.
Thank you to the dozens of donors who purchased these books for Book Harvest throughout the year — they are now filling home libraries throughout Durham and beyond! They are all still included on our Regulator Bookshop and Amazon wishlists if you wish to donate them directly to Book Harvest, or perhaps purchase a few and fill your own bookshelf.
We look forward to another year of Featured Five!
January: To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, legacy, and big dreams
February: Black History Month
March: Women’s History Month with a focus on Jewish women
April: To recognize National Arab American Heritage Month and National Diversity Awareness Month
May: in recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month
June: to recognize Caribbean-American Heritage Month, Pride, African American Music Appreciation Month, and Juneteenth
July: In observance of the July 26 Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act
August: in celebration of Aug. 7, National Friendship Day
September: a celebration of back to school season
October: to honor Hispanic Heritage Month, which ran from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15. This list consists of bilingual titles from LatinX authors and illustrators, all with some level of historical context.
November: to honor American Heritage Month – all authors and illustrators are Native American
December: Focusing on celebrations & traditions