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Parent Guide to Yoto Cards - Representation, Content, and Trigger Warnings

This post contains lists of Yoto Cards, grouped by topic/content. There are almost a thousand cards in the Yoto Store currently, and only a very broad system for tagging cards (just age range, genre, and creator).

Snap Happy Mom does not take a moral stance on content you should seek out or avoid. Our editors have done the work of gathering and organizing information about Yoto card content, and the lists we have compiled are a neutral tool.

We do believe in the importance of stories as "mirrors and windows."

Stories act as "mirrors" when they reflect the reader's own life, culture, and identity, fostering self-recognition and affirmation.

Conversely, stories also function as "windows" when they offer glimpses into lives, cultures, and experiences different from their own.

For children, having access to both types of literature is crucial!

Windows promote empathy and broaden horizons, while mirrors help build self-esteem and a sense of belonging. In a diverse world, providing children with a balance of windows and mirrors in their reading material is essential for nurturing well-rounded, empathetic, and confident individuals.

The first half of this post lists Yoto cards by groups of people: cards that feature Black representation, LGBTQ+ representation, disability representation, etc. These lists can assist you in increasing the mirrors and windows in your kid's literary life!

The second half of this post provides a list of topics and potential triggers that some families prefer to be aware of before giving an audiobook to their child. Some parents want to be aware of topics in advance so they can have good discussions with their child. Other parents know a specific topic is traumatic for their child and need to be able to avoid it. We support parents making informed choices. The editors at Snap Happy Mom have compiled detailed content lists for individual Yoto cards, providing a valuable resource for those seeking information on what each card includes.

We understand that every family has unique goals when it comes to the children's literature they choose. If you find that a particular Yoto card's content doesn't align with your preferences, we encourage you to simply skip that purchase and explore other options. A story that might not be the right fit for your family can still be meaningful and enjoyable for others.

Again, these are neutral lists provided as a service for parents. Snap Happy Mom does not take a moral or political stance in any of the content listed.

Representation in Yoto Cards

Black Representation

  • Rebel Girls: Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic - This collection features 100 stories of inspiring Black women
  • Family Tree - This card is full of songs that celebrate the joy and accomplishments of Black families
  • The Extraordinary Lives Audio Collection - This collection tells the stories of Black figures in recent history like Rosa Parks, Katherine Johnson, Michelle Obama, Mary Seacole, Serena Williams, and Nelson Mandela
  • Dyamonde Daniel - This is about a young Black girl moving to a new school and trying to make friends
  • We Are Family - Features Black main characters and is about children chasing their dreams
  • 28 Days - This card has 28 important moments in African American history and culture
  • Ready, Set, Go - This music card has songs written by people of color for people of color but can be enjoyed by anyone
  • The People Remember - This card uses Kwanzaa to discuss the history of African Americans
  • Rise! - This is a biography about Maya Angelou
  • I, Too, Sing America - This is a poetry collection featuring many African American authors
  • All Because You Matter - This story is described as both a love letter and an anthem for children of color
  • Sulwe - This book features a young Black girl learning to love her own skin and inspires children to see their own beauty
  • Incredible Inventors - This card features several different inventors and discusses segregation and racism as it relates to those inventors
  • Rhythm of Time by Questlove - This story features Black main characters

Native American & Indigenous Representation

  • We Are Grateful - Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this story leads you through a year of celebrations and experiences in Cherokee life
  • Fry Bread - This is a story about a modern Native American family coming together for special food
  • Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids - This collection features stories from various Native writers, linked by characters attending the same Powwow event
  • We Are Water Protectors - This is about an Ojibwe girl who wants to protect the water supply from an oil pipeline

Asian Representation

  • Unhurried Journey - This musical card features music from all over East Asia, including many musical collaborations with different artists and styles from Cambodia, China, Taiwan, and Korea
  • I Am Golden - This card is about the immigrant experience and encourages self-love for Chinese American children
  • Baseball Saved Us - This is a true account of a Japanese American boy who plays baseball in a WWII internment camp
  • Fauja Singh Keeps Going - This is an inspiring story about a 100-year-old marathoner from Punjab, India

Latinx & Hispanic Representation

  • Esperanza Rising - This is a beautiful story about a Mexican girl who becomes an immigrant laborer in the USA in the 1930s
  • Separate is Never Equal - This is a true story about a family fighting to end the segregation of Mexican and Puerto Rican children in California schools (available in both Spanish and English)
  • Milo Imagines the World - This card is about a young commuter making sense of the people around him (available in both English and Spanish)
  • Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez - This is a card about one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders

Immigrant Experience

  • I'm New Here - Tells the story of three students from different countries moving to the USA
  • I Am Golden - This card is about the immigrant experience and being Chinese American
  • Esperanza Rising - This is a beautiful story about a Mexican girl who becomes an immigrant laborer in the USA

Religious Diversity & Cultural Holidays

LGBTQ+ Representation

Disability Representation

We hope that you can use this information to show your child the experiences of other people and have discussions about kindness and empathy with them.

Content Notes & Trigger Warnings for Yoto Cards

Every family has unique boundaries when it comes to the language and topics they consider appropriate for children's literature. This list is provided as a resource, not as a deterrent.

Each child reacts differently—what may concern one child might not affect another. A child’s readiness for certain topics is influenced by personal experiences and maturity, which don't always align with age.

The Snap Happy Mom brand maintains a neutral stance on these lists. Our goal is to equip parents and caregivers with the information they seek.

As most Yoto content is already available in book form, additional insights can easily be found through a quick Google search, Amazon reviews, Does The Dog Die crowdsourced reviews, or checking Common Sense Media.

Language, Profanity, Swearing

The language you and your family are comfortable with differs widely. We've included everything we could find so families can make their own decisions. Some words might be seen as inappropriate in one household but commonplace in another, especially within different countries and cultures.

Potty Humor

Name Calling, Bullying, Rudeness, Disrespect

Kidnapping, Running Away, Abandonment, Orphans

Violence and Sensitive Themes

  • Ancient Rome - Talks about slavery in Rome with details that might be difficult for younger kids to hear, as well as intense gladiator scenes
  • Ancient Egypt - Discusses slavery in ancient Egypt, dismemberment, and murder
  • Burglar Bill & Cops and Robbers - This card has a note from Yoto that says it "includes scenes of mild violence"
  • Thunderbolt & Cloudburst (Jack Courtney Adventures) - Yoto notes these cards are good for listeners over 10+, due to sensitive themes and fast-paced action
  • A Family Christmas - One story features demons
  • Queen Music Card - This card contains a note from Yoto that says some of the lyrics contain adult themes, including occasional references to violence and drugs, but no swear words
  • Roald Dahl Books - The books have many unsavory themes that were reflective of the time they were written: racism, anti-semitism, abuse, misogyny, and bigotry, though many of the stories have been slightly edited to remove the most offensive elements

Racism

  • Peter Pan - Uses the term "savages" to describe Indigenous people and uses many racist stereotypes
  • Roald Dahl Books - The author's views about racism and anti-semitism come through in several stories, though many of the stories have been slightly edited to remove the most offensive elements
  • Note: We are still working our way through the classic children's literature Yoto cards. Many of the original texts (such as The Jungle Book, Treasure Island, The Little Princess, etc.) contain racist overtones that were commonplace during that time. However, many of the Yoto card versions of these books are abridged or slightly edited. We will update this post as we preview these cards.)

Death, Dying, Being Eaten,

Scary, Spooky, Fear

  • Dread Wood - This one includes a note from Yoto that says, "Dread Wood is a spooky, sci-fi adventure for readers aged 9+. The story touches upon themes of death and features blood, mild violence, and spine-tingling encounters with spiders, so it may not be suitable for sensitive listeners"
  • Roald Dahl books - There are scary situations, some stories are more vulgar than others, and many characters are mean or abuse each other (The Witches is particularly scary)
  • Minecraft: The Island - This one has mild scariness for sensitive kids because the main character wakes up in a Minecraft world and has to figure out how to survive; he "dies" in the game and comes back to life over and over
  • Coraline - The main character enters a dark alternate reality where she encounters eerie versions of her parents; it is billed as "dark fantasy/horror"
  • Magic Shop: Monster's Ring - This is billed as frightfully funny and spooky
  • Note: Julia Donaldson books are often considered classics but they are not "gentle" reads. They may be scary for the younger listeners.

Gross, Gruesome, Fascinating

Mental Health Mentions

  • Ancient Egypt - Discusses outdated theories of what causes depression

Halloween Themes

Mentions of Santa

Science - Evolution / Big Bang Theory

We appreciate your help with adding content to this list in the comments. However, no rudeness, hate, or mocking will be tolerated towards any group, religion, or race.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. C Dav says

    I believe you might want to check and add Tender Tales to one of the lists. And recently I've seen some swirl and Mary Poppins being a lot more dark than the Disney version. might want your editors to review and consider!

    Reply

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