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Students Celebrate Black History Month in the Library

By Kate Merritt
Think for a moment about the books you read and enjoyed as a child. What characters are the most memorable? Do they look or act like you? If they do, you're in the fortunate majority of readers.
In 2018, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education Cooperative Children’s Book Center reported that at least 50% of children’s books published that year featured White characters. The next most published characters, at 27%, were animals. That means that any other racial group is only represented by about 23% of the year's published books. 
 
As part of our celebration Black History Month, JTD Librarian Jessica Scott invited parents and teachers to help us participate in the African American Read-In. This is a nationally held event that incorporates literacy into the celebration of Black History Month. It is also a special way to highlight Black authors, who make up only 6% of the publishing industry. 
 
Throughout February, special guest readers visited the library to read books by Black authors, featuring Black characters. Students listened to stories and then completed follow-up reflection activities.  Seeing the joy of JTD students as they listened to their special guests read these books reminds us all of both the importance of having families engage in school life and sharing literature that reflects our students' experiences. 

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The John Thomas Dye School


11414 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 476-2811
The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.

Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.