Innagadda da vida. No, wait, that’s Iron Butterfly. Let’s talk about Innosanto Nagara instead. Specifically, let's talk about his board book, A is for Activist. It’s a weird one to review because, depending on who you ask, it’s either the most essential tool for raising a socially conscious kid or a piece of heavy-handed propaganda that should stay far away from the nursery. Honestly? It’s a bit of both. That is precisely why it’s still selling like crazy over a decade after it was first self-published through a Kickstarter campaign.
You’ve probably seen the cover. It’s got that bright red background and a bold, black cat. That cat is everywhere. It’s on the page for "C," which stands for "Co-op" (and "cats," obviously). The book doesn't follow the typical "A is for Apple" rhythm. It’s dense. It’s jagged. It rhymes, but the meter is often clunky on purpose to fit in words like "environmental justice" or "union power." It’s a lot for a toddler. Maybe it’s actually for the parents.
The Backstory Most People Skip
Innosanto Nagara didn't set out to become a bestselling children's author. He was a graphic designer and an activist. He just couldn't find a book for his own kid that reflected his values. Everything was about trains or farm animals. He wanted something that talked about the things he cared about—civil rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and workers' rights. So he wrote it. He drew it. He put it on Kickstarter. People went nuts for it. Triangle Park Press eventually picked it up, and then Seven Stories Press took it to the masses.
It’s easy to forget how radical this felt in 2012.
Before the explosion of "social justice" children's literature we see now, there was a massive gap. A is for Activist filled that void with a loud, unapologetic bang. It wasn't trying to be "balanced." It was trying to be a manifesto for the sandbox set. Nagara has often said in interviews that he wanted to provide a vocabulary for families who were already doing the work. He wasn't trying to convert the masses; he was trying to give a language to the movement.
Is It Actually Good for Kids?
That’s the big question. If you look at the Amazon reviews, you’ll see parents complaining that the vocabulary is too high-level. "Z is for Zapatista." Try explaining that to a three-year-old while you're still trying to get them to stop eating paste. It’s a challenge. But here’s the thing: kids don't need to understand the geopolitical nuances of the Zapatista movement to enjoy the rhythm of the words. They like the sounds. They like finding the hidden cat on every page.
I’ve watched kids interact with this book. They don't care about the "isms." They care about the pictures. The art is collage-style, busy, and vibrant. It looks like a street poster. That’s intentional. It’s meant to feel like a protest sign.
There is a legitimate critique that the book is more of a checklist than a narrative. It doesn't tell a story. It just lists concepts. For some parents, that’s a dealbreaker. They want a story with a beginning, middle, and end. A is for Activist is more like a rhythmic chant. It’s designed to be read aloud, loudly, maybe with a little beatboxing in the background if you're feeling adventurous.
What You'll Find Inside (The Good and the Complex)
The "L" page is a fan favorite. "L is for LGBTQ." It’s simple, colorful, and inclusive. Then you have "F," which is for "Feminist." Or "M" for "May Day."
- The book doesn't shy away from the controversial.
- It uses alliteration like a weapon.
- It forces parents to have conversations they might otherwise skip.
Actually, that last point is the most important part of the book’s legacy. It forces the adult to explain things. When your kid asks, "What’s a union, Mommy?" you have to have an answer ready. You can’t just point at a cow and say "moo." You have to explain collective bargaining. That’s a lot of pressure for 7:00 PM on a Tuesday.
Why the Controversy Never Really Died
Not everyone is a fan. Obviously. The book has been featured on numerous "banned books" lists or challenged in libraries across the United States. Critics argue that it’s indoctrination. They say that children should be allowed to be children without being burdened by the weight of the world’s problems.
There's a fair point to be made about the age-appropriateness of certain political themes. Can a toddler truly grasp "transnational corporations"? Probably not. But Nagara’s argument—and the argument of many educators who use the book—is that we are already teaching children values every day. If we read them books that only feature white, middle-class families in the suburbs, we are teaching them something about who matters and who doesn't. A is for Activist is just a different kind of teaching.
It’s also worth noting that the book has been translated into several languages, including Spanish (A de Activista). The themes are universal, even if the specific references feel very rooted in American social movements.
Technical Nuance: The Art of the Board Book
We should talk about the physical object itself. Board books are meant to be chewed on. They are indestructible. There’s something funny about a book calling for the downfall of capitalism being printed on thick, laminated cardboard designed to survive a toddler's tantrum.
The typography is a huge part of why this book works. Nagara uses different fonts and sizes to emphasize certain words. It creates a visual hierarchy. It’s not just a book; it’s a piece of graphic design. This is where Nagara's background really shines. He knows how to make a page feel urgent.
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The Evolution of the Genre
Since A is for Activist came out, we’ve seen a flood of similar titles. Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi is perhaps the most famous successor. But Nagara was there first. He paved the way for a whole category of "woke" children’s books.
Is the market oversaturated? Maybe.
But A is for Activist remains the gold standard because it feels the most authentic. It doesn't feel like it was written by a committee or a corporate brand trying to "pivot to purpose." It feels like it was written by a guy in his garage who was genuinely frustrated with the lack of options for his kid. That raw, DIY energy is still palpable on every page.
Common Misconceptions
One of the biggest misunderstandings is that the book is "angry." If you actually read it, it’s surprisingly joyful. It’s about community. It’s about "bright days" and "justice" and "peace." It’s not a list of things to hate; it’s a list of things to work for.
Another misconception is that it’s only for "left-wing" families. While the politics are undeniably progressive, the core messages—standing up for what’s right, being a good neighbor, thinking for yourself—are things most people claim to value.
Beyond the Book: Impact and Influence
The book has spawned a follow-up, Counting on Community, which is a bit more accessible for younger toddlers. It focuses on numbers but keeps the same activist spirit. Nagara has also written M is for Movement and The Wedding Portrait, which deal with civil disobedience in a more narrative format.
But A is for Activist is the one that stuck. It’s the one that people get in their baby shower gift baskets and either love or quietly hide in the back of the shelf.
How to Use This Book Effectively
If you’re going to read this with a kid, don't just read the words.
- Stop and look at the pictures.
- Ask the kid what they see.
- Don't feel like you have to explain the entire history of the labor movement in one sitting.
- Use the "C" page to talk about sharing.
- Use the "E" page to talk about the environment.
Keep it simple. The book is a conversation starter, not a lecture.
The reality is that kids are smarter than we give them credit for. They pick up on the tone. If you read the book with passion and excitement, they’ll associate those feelings with the concepts of justice and activism. That’s the real goal of the book. It’s about building an emotional foundation, not a political one.
The Critics’ Corner
It’s important to acknowledge the limitations. The book is dense. Some of the rhymes are, frankly, a bit of a stretch. The "T" page for "Trans" and "T-rex" is a bit of a weird pivot. But perfection isn't really the point. The point is the presence.
Some educators argue that books like this can be "performative" for parents. It’s a way for adults to signal their own virtue without actually doing any work. That’s a valid critique of any consumer product in the social justice space. But if the book leads to one real-world conversation about why a local library is important or why we shouldn't throw trash in the ocean, it’s done its job.
Practical Steps for Parents and Educators
If you're thinking about adding A is for Activist to your collection, here is how to actually make it work:
Check your own knowledge first. Be ready for the "Z" page. If you don't know who the Zapatistas are, look them up before you read the book. You don't want to be caught off guard by a four-year-old's "why?"
Pair it with other books. Don't let this be the only book your child sees. Balance it with stories about animals, fairy tales, and simple daily life. Diversity in a bookshelf isn't just about different types of people; it’s about different types of storytelling.
Focus on the hidden elements. Finding the cat is the best part for a toddler. Use that "gamification" to keep them engaged with the pages that have longer, more complex text.
Don't force it. If your kid hates the book, put it away. There’s no point in making "activism" a chore. Bring it back in six months and see if their interest has changed.
The legacy of A is for Activist isn't just in the number of copies sold. It’s in the way it shifted the conversation about what children’s literature can be. It proved that there is a massive appetite for books that don't talk down to kids. It showed that "heavy" topics can be handled with color and rhythm. Whether you love it or hate it, you can't deny its impact. It changed the landscape of the children's section forever.
Instead of searching for a "perfect" book that hits every single political note correctly, look for books that spark curiosity. This one definitely does that. It's a loud, messy, beautiful starting point for a life of asking questions. And in a world that often wants kids to just sit still and be quiet, maybe a book that starts with "A is for Activist" is exactly what the next generation needs to hear.
Start by reading it once through by yourself. Get a feel for the rhythm. Then, sit down with your kid and see where the conversation takes you. You might be surprised at what they notice.