I was at the library with the kiddo this weekend hunting for some stories. They’re 3, for context. I’m not usually the one getting books, and it took me a little time to find books I was interest in. Found two that turned out to be fun and with some leftist points of view.
First one: “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type” by Doreen Cronin illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
A book about cows who have a typewriter. They use that typewriter to write letters to the farmer demanding better working conditions. Its a silly book about cows on strike, light hearted but a good message about the power of collective action.
Second one: “The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!” By Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin.
A book about a noisy town where the people sing all day and night. After electing a new mayor, the mayor bans all forms of singing. Until a rooster arrives. Even after the mayor takes away everything the rooster has, the rooster refuses to stop singing. A fun book about speaking truth to power and refusing to be silenced in the face of powerful threats.
In a sea of identity affirming books, it was nice to find these. If you have any similar books feel free to leave them below.
I’ve always been anti “give a mouse a cookie” because it espouses anti-welfare sentiments
You know, when you put it that way…
A cliche, but obviously Rainbow Fish. The basic empathy to leftism pipeline is real.
Dr. Sues
The Sneeches, The Lorax, Horton Hears A Who,
The Butter Battle BookHe has other good ones (the places you’ll go, pale green pants, ect) but these have the most explicitly left wing stuff. His writing style was specifically developed in response to stuff like See Spot Run. He wanted kids to have stuff that was actually fun to read, rather than a boring slog. There’s also a lot of books that bear his name and drawings, but are seperate authors cus the publisher and/or him were trying to capitalize on the recognizablity; those aren’t bad, per say, but they are noticeably different in style and execution.
Don’t skip on Yurtle the Turtle! That story is based as fuck.
OK we read that tonight and you are correct! I happened to have an anthology with that one in it.
I am reporting back to say that Dr. Sues is pretty dope. I had no idea and I’m not even sure why! Kiddo is obsessed with The Lorax, The Sneeches is great, and Horton Hears a Who was kinda intense! But a good message regardless. Im sure the library has the Butter Battle Book, I’ll look for it next time im there.
Its kind of blowng my mind honestly. I had no idea Dr. Sues was so based lol.
Glad to hear! His stuff is great. I feel I should warn you, though, Butter Battle Book is one of those kids books that hits different for adults. It’s about the nuclear arms race – frames it in a way that highlights the absurdity. I listed it ‘cus it’s probably the most explicitly political of Sues’ children’s books, but it’s… it’s heavy.
This is a short animation he helped produce biased on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQsPq4y7Q20
Also, feature length Sues is bad, hollywood really butchers the stories. If you can, point to the short animations.
I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
Idk if i can call it leftist but Calvin and Hobbes changed my brain chemistry permanently. That and my dad reading me dr seuss basically defined my childhood. Astrix and obelix was also fun.
Nothing explicitly leftist but reinforced my brain was a lot of positive thinking.
In had every C&H book as a kid, I now have the nice hardcover collection. I don’t know how I read some of that looking at it now, Calvin’s vocabulary is huge.
Not seen it first hand but I’ve heard of this one
Workers’ Tales: Socialist Fairy Tales, Fables, and Allegories from Great Britain
Edited by Michael Rosen
A collection of political tales–first published in British workers’ magazines–selected and introduced by acclaimed critic and author Michael Rosen
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, unique tales inspired by traditional literary forms appeared frequently in socialist-leaning British periodicals, such as the Clarion, Labour Leader, and Social Democrat. Based on familiar genres–the fairy tale, fable, allegory, parable, and moral tale–and penned by a range of lesser-known and celebrated authors, including Schalom Asch, Charles Allen Clarke, Frederick James Gould, and William Morris, these stories were meant to entertain readers of all ages–and some challenged the conventional values promoted in children’s literature for the middle class. In Workers’ Tales, acclaimed critic and author Michael Rosen brings together more than forty of the best and most enduring examples of these stories in one beautiful volume.
Throughout, the tales in this collection exemplify themes and ideas related to work and the class system, sometimes in wish-fulfilling ways. In “Tom Hickathrift,” a little, poor person gets the better of a gigantic, wealthy one. In “The Man Without a Heart,” a man learns about the value of basic labor after testing out more privileged lives. And in “The Political Economist and the Flowers,” two contrasting gardeners highlight the cold heart of Darwinian competition. Rosen’s informative introduction describes how such tales advocated for contemporary progressive causes and countered the dominant celebration of Britain’s imperial values. The book includes archival illustrations, biographical notes about the writers, and details about the periodicals where the tales first appeared.
Provocative and enlightening, Workers’ Tales presents voices of resistance that are more relevant than ever before.
Oh damn thanks for pointing this out! Michael Rosen has written a bunch of great kids books. I got the audiobook (it’s like $2 on audible rn) to listen to with my kids and will look for a print copy.
i am once again posting soviet children’s books
https://archive.org/search?query=creator%3A"SOVIET+CHILDREN'S+BOOK"
some in english, lots of great art too
Not strictly “leftist” but we enjoyed Knight Owl.
It hits on themes of prejudice, nonviolent solutions, and address individual needs. Very refreshing and cute short story.
This looks cute!
We are pretty gender diverse family and have a few good books on gender. As if gender is left lol.
These are all for under age 5-6 i’d say.
“Julian is a mermaid” by Jessica Love is a gorgeously illustrated book about a young black child who is AMAB but loves femme presentation and wants to be a mermaid.
“My shadow is pink” by Scott Stuart is another good one about a AMAB parent and son. Again, the father is very masc in his shadow being blue but his son’s is pink.The father comes to understand the differences but not just accept, he embraces and adores his son once he accepts the differences. I honestly can’t read it without crying.
“Love Makes a Family” by Sophie Beer is a pretty simple but cute book which shows many different images of diverse families.
There’s a post like this every few months. Should probably pin one one of these days
