Labor Day is here, and with that comes plenty of excellent storytelling opportunities to explore the dignity of work, labor rights and the power of unions.
Check out some of these picture books that help even the youngest readers understand these important concepts.
I can think of no better introduction to the power of labor organizing than Doreen Cronin’s beautiful bovine collective in Click, Clack, Moo. Cronin’s ear for rhythm and sound make this an all too delightful read aloud, and the twist ending brings plenty of laughs alongside the effortless lesson about collective bargaining.
For more animal collectives, but this time with an eco-friendly backdrop to boot, turn your attention towards Sid Sharp’s latest, Bog Myrtle. In this contemporary take on a fairytale, Sharp’s signature humor and gorgeous illustrations center a strong message about protecting the environment, and pushing back against the ever-expanding reach of corporatization. Advocates for arachnid worker rights will especially enjoy this one!
A young Studs Terkel would surely have embraced All Through the Night. Keeping labor invisible or behind the scenes is a frequently used tactic to hide poor working conditions or wages. Respect flows from understanding, and this book helps pull back the curtain on all the hard work that happens overnight, leaving readers with a more informed and appreciative view of all the hidden work that goes into keeping a city running smoothly.
Finally, one cannot separate labor rights from immigrant rights. Duncan Tonatiuh’s Undocumented is an all too timely examination of undocumented immigrant labor in the United States. Tonatiuh integrates message and medium, presenting Juan’s story in the Mixtec codex format, allowing the story to literally unfold in front of the reader.
Have you read a tale centering workers’ rights lately? Let us know in the comments!
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