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A is for Activist
A is for Activist is an ABC board book for the next generation of progressives: Families that want their kids to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism, environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and so on.
32 pages, Board book
First published October 1, 2012
36 people are currently reading
2099 people want to read
About the author
Innosanto Nagara
20 books76 followersInnosanto Nagara is originally from Indonesia, but moved to the US in 1988 to study zoology and philosophy at UC Davis. Upon graduation, he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he worked as a graphic designer for a range of social change organizations, before founding the Design Action Collective, a worker-owned cooperative design studio in Oakland, California, that is dedicated to "serving the Movement." Inno lives in a cohousing community in Oakland where his child is the youngest of eight children to be born into the household, so he has "studied" a lot of children's books over the past twelve years. A is for Activist was Inno's first book. It has now been adapted into Spanish by Martha Gonzalez, and translated into Swedish. Following the success of A is for Activist, Inno wrote and illustrated a follow-up board book, Counting on Community (2015). His third book, My Night in the Planetarium, is a picture book about "the art of resistance".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 430 reviews
August 14, 2015
When I first read this book, I laughed out loud. Beautiful, radical, but... "Querying Qualities Quickly Quell Distortion" ??? "Not a good kids' book," I quickly dismissed.
And so I believed... until I read it to a two-year-old who was TOTALLY IN LOVE with it. It kept his attention, A to Z. Even reading every word on each page. (And searching for the cat. And sometimes mice.)
Also, the jargon-y language, in action, served as great discussion prompts with some of the older kids in the room. (The older kids were not all 100% engaged in the book, but a few were, which I was not expecting.) We had some deep conversations.
So, now I am going to get my own copy!
Curious to hear about how other kids have responded to it.
And so I believed... until I read it to a two-year-old who was TOTALLY IN LOVE with it. It kept his attention, A to Z. Even reading every word on each page. (And searching for the cat. And sometimes mice.)
Also, the jargon-y language, in action, served as great discussion prompts with some of the older kids in the room. (The older kids were not all 100% engaged in the book, but a few were, which I was not expecting.) We had some deep conversations.
So, now I am going to get my own copy!
Curious to hear about how other kids have responded to it.
August 7, 2025
Wondrous World
Wondrous We
We cannot be Whole
We cannot be free
Unless we delight
In di-ver-si-ty
A fun alphabet book for 2-5 year olds, as they start exploring the sounds of different letters and words!
A is for Activist introduces multiple words of varying length for each letter of the alphabet, and more importantly the concepts around activism for justice and universal equality - perfect for parents who are active (or even just believe) and want to share these principles with their kids.
Wondrous We
We cannot be Whole
We cannot be free
Unless we delight
In di-ver-si-ty
A fun alphabet book for 2-5 year olds, as they start exploring the sounds of different letters and words!
A is for Activist introduces multiple words of varying length for each letter of the alphabet, and more importantly the concepts around activism for justice and universal equality - perfect for parents who are active (or even just believe) and want to share these principles with their kids.
November 21, 2017
YES. Got into a little tiff with a coworker about this book - and if it was "too early for children to be learning such vocabulary." THE EARLIER THE BETTER LADY
September 17, 2016
Not for me!
I’m so disappointed because I’d seen this book on someone’s (real) shelves and jumped to reserve it at the library to see if I’d want this for giving new baby gifts. What a great idea!
The most stars I would have given anyway is 3.
This is a board book, so presumably geared toward babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, and their adults. The illustrations are colorful and interesting and while I’m not a huge fan of their style, I think many readers will like them, including young readers/listeners. However, the vocabulary is so advanced that while babies to preschoolers might enjoy the pictures and the cadence of the language, they’re not going to understand much of the text. Older kids will but they don’t need board books.
However, I am such a fan of the idea, and I’m all for parents, teachers, babysitters, etc. adults enjoying kids’ books, that I could have forgiven the not so friendly for young kids vocabulary.
Then I got to H.
“H is for Healthy food – a human right. Honeydew, jicama, nature’s delight. Hummus, Hot dogs, Havarti cheese. Hot dogs!?! Yes! Healthy hot dogs please! (And pizza.)”
That was it for me. Hot dogs, even vegan ones, aren’t really that healthy. And this is a book that touts rights for all varieties of humans, and I agree with that. But not only nothing about animals but a point is made to eat what is definitely animal derived cheese and probably animal flesh. What about non-human animal rights?! What about animal rights activists, most of whom are also human rights activists. Anyway, that lost me. I will never give or read this book to anyone, and certainly not any child. If I’m reading a book about activism it doesn’t have to mention animals but if it does it has to be for their rights, not for their use and abuse by activists and would be activists.
Great idea but not for me!
I’m so disappointed because I’d seen this book on someone’s (real) shelves and jumped to reserve it at the library to see if I’d want this for giving new baby gifts. What a great idea!
The most stars I would have given anyway is 3.
This is a board book, so presumably geared toward babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, and their adults. The illustrations are colorful and interesting and while I’m not a huge fan of their style, I think many readers will like them, including young readers/listeners. However, the vocabulary is so advanced that while babies to preschoolers might enjoy the pictures and the cadence of the language, they’re not going to understand much of the text. Older kids will but they don’t need board books.
However, I am such a fan of the idea, and I’m all for parents, teachers, babysitters, etc. adults enjoying kids’ books, that I could have forgiven the not so friendly for young kids vocabulary.
Then I got to H.
“H is for Healthy food – a human right. Honeydew, jicama, nature’s delight. Hummus, Hot dogs, Havarti cheese. Hot dogs!?! Yes! Healthy hot dogs please! (And pizza.)”
That was it for me. Hot dogs, even vegan ones, aren’t really that healthy. And this is a book that touts rights for all varieties of humans, and I agree with that. But not only nothing about animals but a point is made to eat what is definitely animal derived cheese and probably animal flesh. What about non-human animal rights?! What about animal rights activists, most of whom are also human rights activists. Anyway, that lost me. I will never give or read this book to anyone, and certainly not any child. If I’m reading a book about activism it doesn’t have to mention animals but if it does it has to be for their rights, not for their use and abuse by activists and would be activists.
Great idea but not for me!
October 10, 2016
I share the politics of the author, but I am a mom to two kids with autism and I need my kids' books to do something for them. This book is totally developmentally inappropriate for children. There are too many words on each page. And the words are way too complicated. There is no consistent rhyme or meter pattern for kids to anchor themselves in the text. The pictures don't always provide context.
I would love to buy an alphabet board book--or any board book--that is engaging, developmentally appropriate, and helps to teach my kids about my values. This is not that book. This is a book for parents to feel good about themselves.
I would love to buy an alphabet board book--or any board book--that is engaging, developmentally appropriate, and helps to teach my kids about my values. This is not that book. This is a book for parents to feel good about themselves.
July 8, 2016
I'm so left wing that it hurts sometimes, but I found this book very uncomfortable to read because it is so preachy. It definitely has an "us against them" feel, and comes out of a lot of anger towards racism, sexism, environmental harm, inequality, etc., which is felt in the book.
The rule of thumb for conservation educators and teachers is that up to grade 4, we teach children the GOOD only. The wise mentors teach to love all critters, the earth, and treat all living beings (including humans) with respect. In this vulnerable age, we do not brainwash them with terminology they do not understand or tell them what is the right opinion to have on an issue (whether it's an opinion we support or disagree with). We raise them to be their purest, kindest, and most wise selves. Children will naturally be empathetic, compassionate, respectful, and kind hearted with proper mentorship and without the need of ideological suggestions at such a young age.
Once they are in grade 4 or so, we can start telling them the details of the harsh reality of this world. If we raise them well up until this point, they will come to their own conclusion about all the things written in this book, which is so much more meaningful. And more likely than not, if you are the kind of parent that would read this book to your child, you would have raised them to agree with the book entirely by the time they are mature enough to think about these issues on their own.
So I will teach my children to be honorable human beings first. I will not mention anything in this book to them until they have enough of an understanding of morality and social interactions to be able to make their own calls on what seems right and what seems wrong. Then I will be confident that I have raised a conscious citizen of the planet, rather than someone who repeats a complex viewpoint they have been hearing since before they could speak properly.
To paraphrase Mother Teresa - I will not read an anti-hate book to my young children. I will read a love book to my young children.
The rule of thumb for conservation educators and teachers is that up to grade 4, we teach children the GOOD only. The wise mentors teach to love all critters, the earth, and treat all living beings (including humans) with respect. In this vulnerable age, we do not brainwash them with terminology they do not understand or tell them what is the right opinion to have on an issue (whether it's an opinion we support or disagree with). We raise them to be their purest, kindest, and most wise selves. Children will naturally be empathetic, compassionate, respectful, and kind hearted with proper mentorship and without the need of ideological suggestions at such a young age.
Once they are in grade 4 or so, we can start telling them the details of the harsh reality of this world. If we raise them well up until this point, they will come to their own conclusion about all the things written in this book, which is so much more meaningful. And more likely than not, if you are the kind of parent that would read this book to your child, you would have raised them to agree with the book entirely by the time they are mature enough to think about these issues on their own.
So I will teach my children to be honorable human beings first. I will not mention anything in this book to them until they have enough of an understanding of morality and social interactions to be able to make their own calls on what seems right and what seems wrong. Then I will be confident that I have raised a conscious citizen of the planet, rather than someone who repeats a complex viewpoint they have been hearing since before they could speak properly.
To paraphrase Mother Teresa - I will not read an anti-hate book to my young children. I will read a love book to my young children.
February 6, 2013
I've come home from work to catch my father-in-law brainwashing my kids with Fox News playing on TV so it's nice to finally be able to combat that nonsense with an over-the-top left-leaning screed like this alphabet book.
And while most of the words and concepts went over my kids' 4-year old heads I found it inspiring me to start my own "Occupy" type of event. (Then I remembered I'm lazy and protests are for the youth still living at home with their parents.)
And while most of the words and concepts went over my kids' 4-year old heads I found it inspiring me to start my own "Occupy" type of event. (Then I remembered I'm lazy and protests are for the youth still living at home with their parents.)
November 23, 2018
Note that some of the negative reviews complain that it's not suitable for a board book, or for tots. Well, there is a hardcover. And it's fine for preschool on up, though of course it'll lead to richer discussions with older children. But even the youngest can appreciate the diverse characters, the rich & powerfully vivid illustrations, and the concept. It's not an ABC primer, of course, but it's great for anyone who wants the world to be more inclusive and more sane. (It even includes carnivores.)
August 20, 2015
I like the idea of sharing your beliefs with your children, but I think this book is slightly ridiculous. Number one, this is a board book. The words on the pages are very high level words. I read this book with a third grader and she didn't understand what was going on! If you want to make a board book touching on social issues it should be understandable for young children. The only thing the third grader liked about this book was looking for the cats hidden on each page. I liked that it provided a learning opportunity with a third grader. I would not purchase this book unless it was in regular book form or made more understandable.
April 9, 2014
Beautiful artwork, a great message, never to early to get progressive thoughts brewing in little minds. H is for healthy, j is for justice! And there is a cat...
January 27, 2024
I saw this on a list of books that Ted Cruz dislikes. Don't they realize that it just makes me/us want to read them more? Written in the toddler format of pictures with words, I found the words got a bit complex for the focus-age group: Advocate, Abolitionist, Cooperating, Indigenous, Questioning, Querying, and "Z is for Zapatista of course".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapatis...
Cruz would hate that ALL the activists actions are present in here: Large "B"anners, blue "D"onkey butting the head of a red elephant, Silhouette fists raised for "E"quality.
Extremely kid-colorful. Board-book can take a beating by little kids.
I only subtract a star per the complexity of some of the words (for board-book readers/listeners).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapatis...
Cruz would hate that ALL the activists actions are present in here: Large "B"anners, blue "D"onkey butting the head of a red elephant, Silhouette fists raised for "E"quality.
Extremely kid-colorful. Board-book can take a beating by little kids.
I only subtract a star per the complexity of some of the words (for board-book readers/listeners).
May 21, 2018
I read it on a dare. Just to put it out there.
Look, I get it. You want to teach your kids how to be tolerant and kind to everyone while being woke and ready to take on the world's problems. I get it. But how will this help?
Not to mention how hamfisted and heavy-handed it is about its agenda. I mean, even the Doctor Suess books used an analogy to teach kids about sharing, environmental protection, etc. This book doesn't even bother. It's as subtle as a brick through a Starbuck's windows.
Honestly? Kids would be better off learning about STEM subjects and being given a desire to learn more about that. STEM will save the world, not SJW activism. STEM will give the kids the critical thinking and the specific skills needed to actually take action and solve the world's problems. This... this only makes future protesters or future republicans, because you all know how well kids take to having beliefs shoved down their throats....
Look, I get it. You want to teach your kids how to be tolerant and kind to everyone while being woke and ready to take on the world's problems. I get it. But how will this help?
Not to mention how hamfisted and heavy-handed it is about its agenda. I mean, even the Doctor Suess books used an analogy to teach kids about sharing, environmental protection, etc. This book doesn't even bother. It's as subtle as a brick through a Starbuck's windows.
Honestly? Kids would be better off learning about STEM subjects and being given a desire to learn more about that. STEM will save the world, not SJW activism. STEM will give the kids the critical thinking and the specific skills needed to actually take action and solve the world's problems. This... this only makes future protesters or future republicans, because you all know how well kids take to having beliefs shoved down their throats....
May 4, 2016
A grand idea, but I think it lacks something in it's fruition. This reads like a board book for adults. Kids who are reading board books are not going to read this, nor will they be able to understand it. The picture book version makes way more sense but it still was weird to read. I don't think that the "A is for..." style is the best way to do this. All in all sort of a disappointment.
October 23, 2014
A former colleague posted a photo of a children’s book as her Facebook profile picture – A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara. A board book about activism? Yes!
My first read through of the book was choppy. It took me a couple of reads to get the rhythm of the words (it could also be that I have no rhythm). But as I continued to make the book part of our family’s reading rotation, I picked up the cadence and was able to have fun reading it aloud to my kids. On top of the lyricism of the text, Nagara’s illustrations are incredibly vibrant and really call for the reader/listener to interact with each page.
This is such an important book, especially for families who value progressive ideals. Initially, I thought it might introduce topics that were too big for little ones to grasp. But then I quickly thought, “How else will they learn?” My kids absolutely go crazy for this book. It introduces terms like activism, democracy, justice, feminism, and freedom, all while teaching the alphabet. The pictures are thoughtful and yet, like all board books for young readers, allow for search and discovery. My kids look for the black cat that appears on almost every page (a nod to the IWW cat?). One of my favorite things about this book is the diversity of people that appear on the pages. Young, old, different races, different genders, breastfeeding mothers, musicians, farmers, kids in wheelchairs – everyone is represented which serves as a good mirror for anyone reading along.
I’ve been discovering something new whenever we pick up the book. Many of the illustrations are layered, so it’s a fun surprise to find an animal, shape, or insect hiding int he pictures. I love that my kids run around the house with their fists in the air shouting, “Power to the people!” more than using their fists to hit each other (though, that also happens and calls for another book review altogether). Most rewarding are my answers when they ask me who is on the page. “It’s Cesar Chavez” or “That’s Malcolm X” or “That looks like Rosa Parks.” Though they may not understand the power behind these people now, I’m glad they are learning these names, images, and values now in a fun and engaging way
My first read through of the book was choppy. It took me a couple of reads to get the rhythm of the words (it could also be that I have no rhythm). But as I continued to make the book part of our family’s reading rotation, I picked up the cadence and was able to have fun reading it aloud to my kids. On top of the lyricism of the text, Nagara’s illustrations are incredibly vibrant and really call for the reader/listener to interact with each page.
This is such an important book, especially for families who value progressive ideals. Initially, I thought it might introduce topics that were too big for little ones to grasp. But then I quickly thought, “How else will they learn?” My kids absolutely go crazy for this book. It introduces terms like activism, democracy, justice, feminism, and freedom, all while teaching the alphabet. The pictures are thoughtful and yet, like all board books for young readers, allow for search and discovery. My kids look for the black cat that appears on almost every page (a nod to the IWW cat?). One of my favorite things about this book is the diversity of people that appear on the pages. Young, old, different races, different genders, breastfeeding mothers, musicians, farmers, kids in wheelchairs – everyone is represented which serves as a good mirror for anyone reading along.
I’ve been discovering something new whenever we pick up the book. Many of the illustrations are layered, so it’s a fun surprise to find an animal, shape, or insect hiding int he pictures. I love that my kids run around the house with their fists in the air shouting, “Power to the people!” more than using their fists to hit each other (though, that also happens and calls for another book review altogether). Most rewarding are my answers when they ask me who is on the page. “It’s Cesar Chavez” or “That’s Malcolm X” or “That looks like Rosa Parks.” Though they may not understand the power behind these people now, I’m glad they are learning these names, images, and values now in a fun and engaging way
September 18, 2018
I have to agree with other people here... this book is really for the adults who want to feel good about themselves.
There is no further reading section in the back for more resources and explanations. Z is for Zapatistos, great, if you know who they are already. An index or appendix has precedence—see Leo and Diane Dillons’s “To Everything There is a Season.” The meter and rhyme are inconsistent from entry to entry.
And man, I REALLY take issue with the page for D. “D is for Democracy—Dictators despise it, Donkeys don’t get it” with a picture of a donkey and an elephant locked in a struggle.
First of all, donkeys and elephants are specifically American symbols, so you have just limited your book’s meaning and application outside US borders—
Second of all, what do you mean “donkeys don’t get it”? Are you inviting the reader to a discussion about how left wing groups tear themselves apart in never ending tests of idealogical purity while right wingers have no problem voting along party lines, whatever their personal squabbles? Or are Democrats just “bad at winning elections”? The problem is a lot more complicated than that—how about “G is for Gerrymandering, V is for Voter Purges”?
ARGH
There is no further reading section in the back for more resources and explanations. Z is for Zapatistos, great, if you know who they are already. An index or appendix has precedence—see Leo and Diane Dillons’s “To Everything There is a Season.” The meter and rhyme are inconsistent from entry to entry.
And man, I REALLY take issue with the page for D. “D is for Democracy—Dictators despise it, Donkeys don’t get it” with a picture of a donkey and an elephant locked in a struggle.
First of all, donkeys and elephants are specifically American symbols, so you have just limited your book’s meaning and application outside US borders—
Second of all, what do you mean “donkeys don’t get it”? Are you inviting the reader to a discussion about how left wing groups tear themselves apart in never ending tests of idealogical purity while right wingers have no problem voting along party lines, whatever their personal squabbles? Or are Democrats just “bad at winning elections”? The problem is a lot more complicated than that—how about “G is for Gerrymandering, V is for Voter Purges”?
ARGH
April 23, 2021
Het is vragen om oneindig veel problemen: dit is het eerste boek dat mijn vriendin aan mijn kind (en mij) voorlas. Mijn dochter is al gepredestineerd om groenlinks te gaan stemmen, en dit boek maakt die kansen er niet kleiner op. Als dit geen social justice warrior / university college / liberal arts / feminist / gutmensch wordt, dan weet ik het ook niet meer. Aan ons zal het niet gelegen hebben.
(en het maakt me niet uit dat June nog maar 5 weken oud is en hier inhoudelijk de facto niets van kan hebben meegekregen)
Ik geef 3 sterren omdat ik de moral middleground inneem tussen de criticasters (veel te pedant! activistisch! hersenspoelend! onnavolgbaar taalgebruik! schreeuwerige stijl!) en de liefhebbers (toffe woordsequenties en -klanken, belangrijke concepten, het moet maar eens besproken zijn). Bovendien wil ik niet dat mijn dochter over 18 jaar deze recensie terugvindt en me moreel aansprakelijk stelt voor haar opvattingen, dus ik doe net alsof ik hier enorm enerzijds/anderzijds over denk.
(maar niet eens heel diep van binnen vind ik een boek als Woke: A Guide to Social Justice oneindig veel leuker, omdat het veel meer lagen heeft; activisme is goed, maar ironie is beter, denk ik dan)
(en het maakt me niet uit dat June nog maar 5 weken oud is en hier inhoudelijk de facto niets van kan hebben meegekregen)
Ik geef 3 sterren omdat ik de moral middleground inneem tussen de criticasters (veel te pedant! activistisch! hersenspoelend! onnavolgbaar taalgebruik! schreeuwerige stijl!) en de liefhebbers (toffe woordsequenties en -klanken, belangrijke concepten, het moet maar eens besproken zijn). Bovendien wil ik niet dat mijn dochter over 18 jaar deze recensie terugvindt en me moreel aansprakelijk stelt voor haar opvattingen, dus ik doe net alsof ik hier enorm enerzijds/anderzijds over denk.
(maar niet eens heel diep van binnen vind ik een boek als Woke: A Guide to Social Justice oneindig veel leuker, omdat het veel meer lagen heeft; activisme is goed, maar ironie is beter, denk ik dan)
June 25, 2020
All of a sudden Hoopla (one of several providers of econtent for my local library) has visible representation. It's horrific that they couldn't lead as a provider, that it took international protests for them to embrace non-white creators and content, but that's systematic racism for you.
Anyway, lovely book with a fun rhyming rhythm and an upbeat delivery: plus a recurring cat theme. A board book with inclusive, non-binary pronouns? Oh, hells yes! If anyone ever has babies again, this will become a standard gift from me.
Library copy
Anyway, lovely book with a fun rhyming rhythm and an upbeat delivery: plus a recurring cat theme. A board book with inclusive, non-binary pronouns? Oh, hells yes! If anyone ever has babies again, this will become a standard gift from me.
Library copy
July 20, 2015
This book is propaganda for kids, obviously, which makes me a little uncomfortable, as much I agree with the opinions. However, that kind of discomfort-turned-into-honest-dialogue is exactly what's missing from children's books these days, so I applaud this one.
May 6, 2017
Could be cool in theory, I guess. Instead, I find it to be preachy, joyless and age-inappropriate. Definitely get this for your kids if you want them to rebel in later life by joining their college's Republican club and/or working for Monsanto.
June 17, 2015
It was pretty, but as a tiny board/alphabet book, the vocabulary is way too big and complex for any of the logical readers, without definitions to help.
November 30, 2015
A is for Activist, written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara, takes your classic alphabet book and adds a twist of political motivation. Written in a format usually meant to teach kids their ABCs, Nagara takes this intention of educating a step further. Each page follows a theme of civil rights and political activism, while promoting values such as peace, acceptance and independent thought. In emphasizing these values, Nagara also directly calls attention to contemporary topics in social justice.
From A to Z, each page is dedicated to a different value or movement, with colorful, emotive illustrations to match. Nagara covers everything from feminism, to LGBTQ rights, interracial tolerance, to environmental justice; and across it all, the ability to think critically: “Q is for Question/ Querying Qualities counter false assertions”. On the “K” page the words read “Kings are fine for story time/ Knights are fun to play/ But when we make decisions/ we will choose the people’s way!” with an image of two kids playing with toy swords. This page not only emphasizes revolution and resistance, and the danger of centralized power, but also counters gender norms by showing a little girl in pink pigtails playing with a sword. On the “R” page the words read “‘Radical Reds!’ the headlines said/ ‘Ruinous Rioters!’ the Rumors spread/ ‘Rabble Rousing Riff Raff…’/ …Really?’”, mocking misguided, public perceptions of activists and protesters. The image shows a large crowd of people in solidarity at a candle light vigil, and many of the faces can actually be recognized as prominent, historical figures. Nagara, on his book’s Facebook page, provides a “Who’s Who” of the faces he illustrated, and they include Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Dorothy Day, Ella Baker, Cesar Chávez, Malati Choudhury and Leo Tolstoy, amongst many others.
This book was originally written in English, but has been rewritten in Spanish as A de Activista by Martha González. The Spanish version still has the same illustrations by Innosanto Nagara and the writing follows the same themes of political activism and social justice, though some of the pages have been slightly altered to either facilitate translation, or call closer attention to Latin American society and culture. In both the English and the Spanish version, the “F” page is dedicated to feminism and feministas, however, the Spanish translation also dedicates the “F” page to Frida Kahlo: “F de Frida/ ¡F de foco que brilla como el futuro!/ Para las feministas fabulosas,/ Mujeres y niñas”. Also in both the English and the Spanish, the “I” page stands for indígena and immigrante: “Indigenous and Immigrant./ Together we stand tall./ Our histories are relevant./ An Injury to one Is an Injury to all”. The illustration shows a collage of eyes of people with all different skin colors, reinforcing diversity and unity, and the idea that it is every citizen’s duty to be vigilant and look out for injustices.
Nagara’s book has received many great reviews and has been hailed as a must for parents and educators trying to teach their kids about social justice. The book has even been linked to the Occupy Wall Street movement and praised as a “book for the kids of the 99 percent”. Although “Occupy” was not included in the “O” page of the book, the illustration of a pink Wall Street bull with an owl sitting on its back certainly alludes to the movement, implying that wisdom (represented by the owl) can trump injustice (the domination of Wall Street, represented by the bull). The page’s background is light images of a brain and the words at the top read, “O is for Open minds Operate best/ Critical thinking Over tests/ Wisdom can’t be memorized/ Educate! Agitate! Organize!”
Although the book is meant for ages 0-3, Rethinking Schools has suggested that it can even be used with older kids: “It could also be used as a prompt for older students to create their own alphabet books with a conscience.” This unique alphabet book encourages young readers to stand up for what they believe in, engage with their community, and become aware of the social movements going on around them, at any age.
Nagara’s pointed social agenda is counterbalanced by the playful rhythm and rhyme of his writing. Throughout the book he maintains a light-hearted and positive tone that is at once kid-friendly and empowering. Shaya Tayefe Mohaje, in her online review titled “‘A’ is for Activist, ‘B’ is for a book you should read your children,” lauds Nagara for his use of “clever rhymes—à la Dr. Seuss—and an open love for peace and equality—à la Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”. The book’s illustrations include images of children of a variety of races and ethnicities, as well as handicapped children in wheelchairs, to match Nagara’s call for diversity and tolerance. The children are all shown laughing, speaking, and marching with fists in the air, giving them full agency. Nagara visibly works to include under-represented communities and, according to a Publisher’s Weekly review, has stated that “The statistics on racial diversity alone in children’s books are appalling, not to mention gender, LGBTQ families, and progressive values in general.” Nagara challenges this norm and makes every child from every background a protagonist in his story, while teaching new generations the value of activism.
To access the complete review and additional sources, check out my post at teachinglatinamericathroughliterature.wordpress.com
From A to Z, each page is dedicated to a different value or movement, with colorful, emotive illustrations to match. Nagara covers everything from feminism, to LGBTQ rights, interracial tolerance, to environmental justice; and across it all, the ability to think critically: “Q is for Question/ Querying Qualities counter false assertions”. On the “K” page the words read “Kings are fine for story time/ Knights are fun to play/ But when we make decisions/ we will choose the people’s way!” with an image of two kids playing with toy swords. This page not only emphasizes revolution and resistance, and the danger of centralized power, but also counters gender norms by showing a little girl in pink pigtails playing with a sword. On the “R” page the words read “‘Radical Reds!’ the headlines said/ ‘Ruinous Rioters!’ the Rumors spread/ ‘Rabble Rousing Riff Raff…’/ …Really?’”, mocking misguided, public perceptions of activists and protesters. The image shows a large crowd of people in solidarity at a candle light vigil, and many of the faces can actually be recognized as prominent, historical figures. Nagara, on his book’s Facebook page, provides a “Who’s Who” of the faces he illustrated, and they include Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Dorothy Day, Ella Baker, Cesar Chávez, Malati Choudhury and Leo Tolstoy, amongst many others.
This book was originally written in English, but has been rewritten in Spanish as A de Activista by Martha González. The Spanish version still has the same illustrations by Innosanto Nagara and the writing follows the same themes of political activism and social justice, though some of the pages have been slightly altered to either facilitate translation, or call closer attention to Latin American society and culture. In both the English and the Spanish version, the “F” page is dedicated to feminism and feministas, however, the Spanish translation also dedicates the “F” page to Frida Kahlo: “F de Frida/ ¡F de foco que brilla como el futuro!/ Para las feministas fabulosas,/ Mujeres y niñas”. Also in both the English and the Spanish, the “I” page stands for indígena and immigrante: “Indigenous and Immigrant./ Together we stand tall./ Our histories are relevant./ An Injury to one Is an Injury to all”. The illustration shows a collage of eyes of people with all different skin colors, reinforcing diversity and unity, and the idea that it is every citizen’s duty to be vigilant and look out for injustices.
Nagara’s book has received many great reviews and has been hailed as a must for parents and educators trying to teach their kids about social justice. The book has even been linked to the Occupy Wall Street movement and praised as a “book for the kids of the 99 percent”. Although “Occupy” was not included in the “O” page of the book, the illustration of a pink Wall Street bull with an owl sitting on its back certainly alludes to the movement, implying that wisdom (represented by the owl) can trump injustice (the domination of Wall Street, represented by the bull). The page’s background is light images of a brain and the words at the top read, “O is for Open minds Operate best/ Critical thinking Over tests/ Wisdom can’t be memorized/ Educate! Agitate! Organize!”
Although the book is meant for ages 0-3, Rethinking Schools has suggested that it can even be used with older kids: “It could also be used as a prompt for older students to create their own alphabet books with a conscience.” This unique alphabet book encourages young readers to stand up for what they believe in, engage with their community, and become aware of the social movements going on around them, at any age.
Nagara’s pointed social agenda is counterbalanced by the playful rhythm and rhyme of his writing. Throughout the book he maintains a light-hearted and positive tone that is at once kid-friendly and empowering. Shaya Tayefe Mohaje, in her online review titled “‘A’ is for Activist, ‘B’ is for a book you should read your children,” lauds Nagara for his use of “clever rhymes—à la Dr. Seuss—and an open love for peace and equality—à la Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”. The book’s illustrations include images of children of a variety of races and ethnicities, as well as handicapped children in wheelchairs, to match Nagara’s call for diversity and tolerance. The children are all shown laughing, speaking, and marching with fists in the air, giving them full agency. Nagara visibly works to include under-represented communities and, according to a Publisher’s Weekly review, has stated that “The statistics on racial diversity alone in children’s books are appalling, not to mention gender, LGBTQ families, and progressive values in general.” Nagara challenges this norm and makes every child from every background a protagonist in his story, while teaching new generations the value of activism.
To access the complete review and additional sources, check out my post at teachinglatinamericathroughliterature.wordpress.com
June 23, 2020
I read this book to my niece who’s too young to understand it right now but she loves the colors and the cat and someday when she’s older knowing about unions and equality will be helpful
February 27, 2023
This book isn’t for kids. Force feeds a political message they’ll never understand. The alphabet format makes zero sense on some pages for example using a word that begins with “J” on the “H” page. All around awful.
June 23, 2016
Powerful and simple rhyming board book that highlights big topics. It starts the ball rolling for conversations parents and caregivers can have with their child about people's rights.
Plus there is a fun cat hidden on each page
Plus there is a fun cat hidden on each page
November 18, 2012
Awesome, beautiful, and fun! Big congrats to Inno for getting this marvelous book made.
December 19, 2015
I absolutely love the message of this book. It teaches children about keeping open minds and taking action for social change.
March 21, 2021
Read this for an article I’m writing!
September 26, 2020
SO CUTE COLORFUL FUN AND A LOT OF IDEAS IN ONE
August 19, 2017
Not at all surprised the Iowa City Public Library has this lmao
Also I'm very sorry to the librarians for getting ketchup on this book.
Also I'm very sorry to the librarians for getting ketchup on this book.
December 18, 2015
This book caught my eye from the shelf at the library. A board book on activism? I had to pull it out immediately and thumb through the pages. After a quick peek inside, I excitedly put it in our book pile and we checked it out.
A is for Activism, written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara, was an amazing find! The art in the book is beautifully unique and it manages to keep my toddler's attention - which is quite a rarity these days. It's wonderful when I stumble across something engaging and educational.
I love the different topics that are touched upon: co-ops, grassroots, equal rights, LGBTQ, and peace marches. I feel like it could be a great way to introduce a child to these topics which could then lead into a deeper discussion if it piques their curiosity. My son is still too young to understand any of it, but he sees that I enjoy reading it to him and that makes him excited. It truly is a refreshing read! It's fun to read words that resonate and can be spoken passionately.
The book goes through the alphabet and showcases words for each letter, so not only does it integrate the progressive themes, it also helps to teach the alphabet.
And did I mention? There are cats to find on each page! It's an adventure to search for them! I can't wait until my son is a little older and can look too.
I already added the book into our amazon cart to purchase. It's a brilliant book!
*Update*
My son is now three years old and he still loves this book. It seems to grow with him. I'm sure there's a lot he doesn't understand yet, but one day he will. I'm really glad to have this book as a tool for inspiring educational conversations!
A is for Activism, written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara, was an amazing find! The art in the book is beautifully unique and it manages to keep my toddler's attention - which is quite a rarity these days. It's wonderful when I stumble across something engaging and educational.
I love the different topics that are touched upon: co-ops, grassroots, equal rights, LGBTQ, and peace marches. I feel like it could be a great way to introduce a child to these topics which could then lead into a deeper discussion if it piques their curiosity. My son is still too young to understand any of it, but he sees that I enjoy reading it to him and that makes him excited. It truly is a refreshing read! It's fun to read words that resonate and can be spoken passionately.
The book goes through the alphabet and showcases words for each letter, so not only does it integrate the progressive themes, it also helps to teach the alphabet.
And did I mention? There are cats to find on each page! It's an adventure to search for them! I can't wait until my son is a little older and can look too.
I already added the book into our amazon cart to purchase. It's a brilliant book!
*Update*
My son is now three years old and he still loves this book. It seems to grow with him. I'm sure there's a lot he doesn't understand yet, but one day he will. I'm really glad to have this book as a tool for inspiring educational conversations!
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