Real Talk SLP episode 17 – Building a Diverse Book Library
Have you ever taken an inventory of your book library? When I discovered Shontaye Glover’s IG account @havingoursay last year, I started looking at my book library differently.
As a school-based SLP, I would often plan by themes because it was the most efficient way for me to plan for multiple goals and ages. One thing that I was missing from many of my themes was books with characters from different cultures. I tended to lean towards books with animals, vehicles, or category types like apples, fall, etc. But, Shontaye has shown me how I can still plan my favorite themes and broaden my book selection to make sure it showcases children and characters of all races and walks of life.
Shontaye always shares new books on her IG that inspire you with characters from different cultures and backgrounds. She gives you a great synopsis of the book and how to use it in your therapy room.
In this episode, Shontaye shares about how to build your own diverse book library, and how she started hers!
She also gives us some practical tips on how to choose books with characters from different cultures and ideas for how to use them in therapy.
Of course, I wanted her fave book recommendations, so she shared those at the end of the interview:
Plus, Shontaye shared all about her new book “Liam’s First Cut” that is on pre-sale. You can get your own copy here: http://tayejones.com/
This book will be so helpful for my students with Autism to be a social story for going to the barbershop.
Want all of Shontaye’s book recommendations? Head to her website: https://www.havingoursay.org/diverse-picture-books
Top 5 book recommendations to add to your book library:
Daniel’s Good Day by Micha Archer
Liam’s First Cut by Taye Jones (This is Shontaye, how cool!)
Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed
Thank You Omu by Oge Mora
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
How to connect with Shontaye:
Diverse books: https://www.havingoursay.org/diverse-picture-books
Instagram: @havingoursay
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Raise your hand if you feel like you got sucked into the Jumanji game and you are still trying to get used to your new body?