Deploying Black Joy

Abstract

This chapter describes a theory into practice approach for using children's literature to explore and affirm Black joy, Blackness, and Black identity in the elementary classroom. The work of Dr. Bettina Love on abolitionist teaching provides the theoretical grounding for this chapter. The authors describe a synthesis of representation in children's literature and framework for abolitionist teaching, a description of three lessons focused on teaching Black joy, and a call for expanding this work in teacher education.