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Representation Matters: Why Diverse Books Keep Children Engaged

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN REPORTER — Dr. Artika R. Tyner, a columnist and advocate for literacy, emphasizes the importance of culturally relevant children’s books.
The post Representation Matters: Why Diverse Books Keep Children Engaged appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 months ago

July 7, 2026

Oakland Post

Mirrors and Windows: Why Culturally Relevant Books Matter for Children

Columnist Dr. Artika R. Tyner writes on the power of culturally relevant children’s books, drawing on her own childhood memories searching for a story that reflected her. Tyner outlines how to identify genuinely culturally relevant books, why children engage more deeply with characters who share their culture, and how “First Educators” can use both mirror and window books to build empathy, self-worth and a broader view of the world.

As a child, one of my fondest memories was my grandmother taking me to the Salvation Army to buy books. I longed to find a book with a little girl with a skin tone similar to mine, a book that revolved around a relatable story. I wanted to see myself in this little girl, and if she were an achiever, I would strive to reach or even surpass her. These memories inspired me to become an author, an educator and a literacy advocate who focuses on creating access to culturally relevant books. My goal is to equip First Educators with the tools needed to inspire the next generation to learn, grow and lead.

“First Educator” refers to the fundamental primary role that parents and caregivers play in a person’s early development and education. They instill essential life skills, morals and behaviors.

As a First Educator, when was the last time you brought home a new book? Do you have a home library set up? Does your child see themselves in the characters of the books you bring home?

Studies have shown that children engage more with books when they intersect with their culture. When characters are familiar with the way of life of their community, children establish an affinity with them. Culturally relevant books motivate children to read, which improves comprehension, enhances critical thinking and increases engagement with others. They also broaden empathy by allowing children to step into the shoes of others and understand the world from a diverse perspective, helping to break down stereotypes.

Books act as mirrors where children get to see a reflection of themselves. When children engage with culturally relevant books and characters they relate to, they tend to have an increased sense of self-worth and cultural validation. They end up emulating these worthy characters.

How to identify a culturally relevant book

Having a picture of a person of color on the cover of a book does not equate to cultural relevance. The stories should be centered on the lives of these characters. Culture is the way of life of a group of people and, as such, should be represented in the details of the food, clothing, language and celebration of festivities. Culturally relevant books should be situated in scenarios that children are familiar with.

When selecting books for your child, focus on books authored by individuals from their communities who celebrate and honor cultural values. The similarities in experiences will resonate with children when they engage with these books.

To truly know what books would best suit your child, you need a better understanding of the child’s world. Start by asking them what their typical day looks like. What sights and sounds they encounter, and how those make them feel. Know their preferences: what snacks they like, how they spend their summers. These details differ among cultures, and book selection should reflect that.

First Educators often introduce children to books that serve as both mirrors and windows. According to children’s literature scholar Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, “Children need windows and mirrors. They need mirrors in which they see themselves and windows through which they see the world.”

Mirror books reflect the lives of children back to them. Readers are familiar with the characters and the setting. Mirror books affirm and validate their experiences and serve as a source of inspiration, particularly in nonfiction, where children are introduced to heroes and sheroes. Window books, on the other hand, open up the world to readers. They give children the liberty to build bridges across cultures, helping develop empathy and curiosity.

As much as a child needs culturally relevant books, there should be a fine balance. When setting up a home library, the collection should be diverse enough to give the child a holistic view of the world as a global citizen. First Educators can seek support from their local librarian in choosing the right books for their child.

Make reading a conversation

As a First Educator, engage your children during and after they read a book. Ask questions such as: “What lessons were learned?” or “What would you have done in this situation?” Engaging children about culturally relevant books connects them to their cultural stories and values. It allows the First Educator to shed more light on cultural practices not found in the book. Bonding over stories nurtures a child’s development, both emotionally and intellectually. It builds trust, improves literacy and unlocks the world for young readers.

A call to action

Pay critical attention to your child’s book collection. Are the books culturally relevant? Do they reflect what you expect your child to know about themselves? Are there stories that, if added, would strengthen the collection? Are there window books to ensure your child has a broad outlook on life?

A child’s understanding of who they are shapes their own story. A powerful gift you can give a child is a book that opens them up to see and know themselves better.

As Dr. Bishop wisely stated: “When there are enough books available that can act as both mirrors and windows for all our children, they will see that we can celebrate both our differences and our similarities, because together they are what make us all human.”

Join Planting People Growing Justice every first Saturday for the Leaders Are Readers program for intergenerational reading circles that bring children and families together through storytelling and interactive activities, plus a free lunch and book giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jimmy Lee Recreation Center. For more information, visit www.ppgjli.org/.

You can also reach Dr. Artika Tyner directly at drartikatyner@gmail.com.

Based on reporting by Minnesota Spokesman Reporter.

The post Representation Matters: Why Diverse Books Keep Children Engaged appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.