What if you COULD tell a book by its cover? What if the pictures and design were as important as the words? That’s the idea behind Megan Dowd Lambert’s “Whole Book Approach” to reading. As a mother to five children of color and two white children, Dowd Lambert promotes reading “with a race-conscious lens.” As a professional storyteller, she explains why it’s important to read with children, and not just to them.

Episode Resources:

Megan Dowd Lambert’s website

Books inspired by Megan Dowd Lambert’s daughters: Every Day With April and Mae

Video demonstrating Whole Book Approach with preschoolers

Video presentation by Megan Dowd Lambert for Embrace Race

Merge for Equality video interview with Megan Dowd Lambert

Cooperative Children’s Book Center at University of Wisconsin

Diverse Book Finder

Download the Discussion Guide:

Early Risers S6 E1 Discussion Guide