Empowering Learners for a Complex World

Children’s books are powerful tools to help children navigate the challenges of an interconnected and complex world. Ada and Campoy (2004) said that we need transformative education to think about the world and understand relationships between teachers, children, and families in a fast-changing and uncertain world. This chapter aims to contribute to SDG4 (Quality Education): “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all;” education is the foundation for leading a happy, creative, and empowered life; one that is free of judgments, biases, ignorance, or discrimination of any kind (UNESCO & SDG, 2017). Children’s books are viewed as valuable resources for teachers to nurture critical thinking as they address concepts and ideas that are meaningful and relevant for children. They provide opportunities for children to journey through various perspectives and experiences across space and time. The stories we share with children are important reflections of our communities and cultures, passed down through generations, connecting us to our past and giving us a window into the future.