Dr. Seuss Alternatives for Read Across America Week / National Reading Month
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In recent years, some people have chosen not to celebrate Dr. Seuss due to concerns about racial and cultural insensitivity in some of his works. Critics have pointed out instances of stereotyping and caricaturing of marginalized groups in some of his illustrations and language. As a result, some schools and organizations have chosen to move away from using Dr. Seuss books in their curriculum and programming, while others have continued to celebrate his legacy while acknowledging these issues.
In this blog post, I will be sharing 5 alternative read alouds for Read Across America week, as well as National Reading Month, which lasts all of March. While Dr. Seuss is often associated with these literary celebrations, some people may prefer to explore other books and authors. The Dr. Seuss alternatives/”readlikes” offered in this post provide a diverse range of voices and themes that will appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
1. Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty and David Roberts
Why I love this book: It includes a diverse family with two dads. It's important for children's literature to reflect the reality of different family structures and to show that all families are deserving of love and respect, regardless of their composition. On top of that, this book is hilarious and clever - sure to become a whole family favorite!
2. The Wills and the Won’ts by Angela Woolfe and Roland Garrigue
Why I love this book: It has a similar message to Dr. Seuss’ The Sneetches. Its themes of breaking down barriers and celebrating differences are especially important in our diverse world. By embracing our differences and learning from each other, we can build stronger communities and promote peace and understanding.
3. One Shoe Two Shoes by Caryl Hart and Edward Underwood
Why I love this book: It is reminiscent of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss. Its bright and adorable illustrations of shoes, ten white mice, and an adorable dog add to the book's charm, making it an engaging and delightful read for young children.
4. Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day by Erica Kim
Why I love this book: This is a playful (and educational!) rhyming book that showcases the various ways to enjoy kimchi and teaches the days of the week. The book’s illustrations feature a cut paper art technique using Hanji paper made from the paper mulberry tree native to Korea.
5. Firefighter Flo! by Andrea Zimmerman and Dan Yaccarino
Why I love this book: Firefighter Flo is an engaging picture book from the new Big Jobs, Bold Women series, featuring bold illustrations and onomatopoeia. This is the empowering story of Flo, a Black female firefighter and her team, as they race to stop a fire and rescue a family pet, making it the perfect read for kids who love firefighting.
You can shop all of these titles and more on Amazon here or on Bookshop here. What other titles would you recommend?
