Anti-Bias Book Review: The Day You Begin


The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodsen illustrates the story of Angelina and friends in situations that make them feel different and out of place. Their reasons for feeling this way vary, giving representation to a multitude of different perspectives and ways of life. Paired with Rafael Lopez’s lush and captivating illustrations, Woodsen’s poetic writing takes an anti-bias approach by encouraging readers to discover the opportunities that embracing differences and opening up to others can bring. 



Anti-Bias Elements:

  • Message about different lifestyles: Differences are presented in an uplifting manner.

    • There are four specific characters in the book that show different ways that children can feel ostracized. Through these four characters, Woodsen provides representation for readers that have been in similar situations because of their different backgrounds and lifestyles. Although these characters may feel left out at first, Woodsen beautifully describes their situations in a positive light that presents their differences through uplifting points of view. 

  • Relationships between people: Characters embrace others’ differences and gladly befriend each other.

    • Differences are not ignored or looked at in a negative light, but they are addressed and embraced through the message that The Day You Begin sends. This is shown through Angelina getting the opportunity to befriend Rigoberto when she opens up to the class about her reading adventures over the summer. Even though they may have different backgrounds, they are able to connect with each other and easily become friends. 

  • Illustrations contribute to an anti-bias perspective: Harmful stereotypes and tokenism are not present.

    • Although Angelina is the only African American character that Woodsen actually writes about, Lopez illustrates a diversity of African American peers, as well as a diverse group of Latino, Asian, Native American, and White students. In addition, there is both diversity among groups and diversity within groups illustrated by Lopez, which can be seen through the diverse array of skin colors represented in the book. 

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