On the season finale of The Parenting Cipher, Stephanie Reed of MiJa Books joins Genie Dawkins to discuss the importance of multicultural and inclusive books in children’s literature. Representation in children’s books has a profound impact on a child’s self-esteem and their ability to relate to others. Exposure to multicultural and inclusive books helps create a more accepting and diverse world. In this episode, learn how MiJa Books is making these stories—especially those celebrating joy and existence—accessible to everyone.
Stephanie Reed and her husband’s journey began with a simple desire for an in-home children’s library. Their online hobby soon evolved into a full-fledged bookstore, highlighting the scarcity of multicultural and inclusive books. Unfortunately, more children's books feature talking animals or vehicles than children of color. This lack of representation raises the question: where is the diversity, and where is the acceptance of different cultures?
“The more a child is able to see a representation of themselves in books and in stories in a healthy way, it helps them to create confidence and love of self.” – Genie Dawkins
Multicultural and inclusive books allow children to see themselves in the stories they read, helping them develop pride in their identity while fostering respect for others. Children who grow up immersed in diversity don’t perceive differences as unusual—diversity simply becomes their norm.
“Seeing joy, pure joy in a children’s book makes that book accessible to all children.” – Stephanie Reed
Children are naturally curious and seek to understand the world around them. If they lack exposure to diverse stories, they may form assumptions or misunderstandings about different cultures and identities. Multicultural and inclusive books provide children with essential knowledge about people of various backgrounds, enabling them to approach others with empathy and respect.
“We make assumptions. It’s human nature to put a story to something we don’t understand.” – Genie Dawkins
Books that address diverse topics—including race, special needs, and LGBTQ identities—equip parents with tools to have meaningful discussions with their children. The more we integrate multicultural and inclusive books into children’s libraries, the more we promote acceptance, understanding, and empowerment.
Stephanie Reed shares how she introduced her daughter to visual diversity from birth, using high-contrast pictures in her bassinet. Her background in child and brain development influenced MiJa Books’ emphasis on baby board books and picture books. Even if young children don’t fully grasp diversity, early exposure helps lay the foundation for respectful and inclusive conversations as they grow.
“Even if she can’t grasp diversity, the fact that we’re starting her off on that footing from day one … helps … making sure your children are prepared with the background knowledge to have respectful conversations with other children and adults.” – Stephanie Reed
Stephanie believes that language shapes perceptions, and children should be encouraged to use the word “different” instead of “wrong.” Recognizing and respecting differences is key to fostering a more inclusive world.
“It’s that point of self-actualization and self-realization when kids realize who they are and who others are and that there’s differences. There will always be differences.” – Genie Dawkins
Genie Dawkins, host of The Parenting Cipher, is a single mother of four and an advocate for children with special needs. She holds an M.S. in Non-Profit Management, a B.S. in Social Sciences, and a Certification in Integrative Health Coaching. She is a bestselling author of Not My Child: Navigating Your Child’s Learning Difficulties with IEP’s and Education Resources and The Joyful Family Planner. Genie is dedicated to empowering parents and children through education and advocacy.
Stephanie Reed and her husband founded MiJa Books during the COVID pandemic. Initially a book review website, MiJa Books evolved into an online bookstore dedicated to multicultural and inclusive books. Their mission is to amplify diverse stories and provide a platform for indie and self-published authors.
“I wanted books with characters that look like [my daughter]. She’s Afro-Latina. I wanted books that celebrated her culture, books that celebrated other people’s cultures, and with children that looked differently.” – Stephanie Reed
“For the primary characters with disabilities, there’s only 3.4% in over 4,000 books that the Cooperative Children’s Book Center examined… we know that that’s just not an acceptable number.” – Stephanie Reed
“We need to see an equal amount of representation on bookshelves, so that all children from all backgrounds can have these books in their library and it’s entirely normal.” – Stephanie Reed
“Seeing pure joy in a children’s book makes that book accessible to all children, not just that specific ethnic group or culture that you’re trying to highlight.” – Stephanie Reed
Post-production for this episode was provided by Podcast Laundry.
Multicultural and inclusive books play a crucial role in shaping young minds. By incorporating these books into our children’s lives, we create a world where every child feels seen, valued, and celebrated. Let’s ensure that bookshelves everywhere reflect the beautiful diversity of our world.