Everywhere Babies

Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers illustrated by Marla Frazee

Babies of all ethnicity, cultures, and religions have much in common; they all are born, sleep, are dressed, fed and carried.  This book talks about the similarities and the differences between families, but makes no comment about one perspective being better than another.

The text of the book lists the different ways that babies are fed or the way that they sleep, but the illustrations bring an additional layer of cultural diversity and acceptance.  There are examples of families of color and bi-racial families as well as multi-generational families and a family with two moms.

Nothing is expressly stated “this is a bi-racial family” or “this family has two dads”, but many different people are depicted in the book, so if a child came from a non-traditional white family, it is possible that they would see a family like theirs in this book- which is empowering for the child.  I do not think it is developmentally appropriate to read a book (like this one) and then ask children about diversity, but I think that by having books which include diverse people it provides an opportunity for children to see all people in their literature and could be something which inspires children to ask questions and be the beginning of a conversation.

 -Daphne Cummings