{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"ALSC Blog","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog","author_name":"Early and Family Literacy committee","author_url":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/author\/early-and-family-literacy-committee\/","title":"Building Identity and Language from the Very Beginning","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"ntV0Ny746q\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2026\/02\/building-identity-and-language-from-the-very-beginning\/\">Building Identity and Language from the Very Beginning<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2026\/02\/building-identity-and-language-from-the-very-beginning\/embed\/#?secret=ntV0Ny746q\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Building Identity and Language from the Very Beginning&#8221; &#8212; ALSC Blog\" data-secret=\"ntV0Ny746q\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n","description":"February is a time to celebrate Black history and cultural contributions\u2014but it is also an important opportunity to support early literacy through representation, connection, and conversation. For young children, literacy begins long before they can read words on a page. It begins with being seen, heard, and valued. Research shows that shared reading experiences that reflect children\u2019s lived experiences support language development, social-emotional growth, and a sense of belonging (Baicker, 2020). When books center Black joy, family, and everyday life, children are more likely to see themselves as readers and storytellers. Books as Mirrors, Windows, and Doors Children need books that act as mirrors (reflecting their own lives), windows (offering insight into others\u2019 experiences), and doors (inviting them to imagine new possibilities). Culturally responsive literacy practices help children develop motivation and identity as readers, particularly for children who have historically been underrepresented in children\u2019s literature (Irby, 2017). Suggested Picture Books...","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/clare.jpg","thumbnail_width":1146,"thumbnail_height":1146}