This is a book about racism…

This is exactly how this hardback picture book begins.

Very simply, the author introduces himself and then begins to explain racism.

Jelani shows his colour on the page as brown. He is brown because he has a black dad and a white mum – which makes him – mixed or a person of colour, biracial, or African American.

Being mixed race has given Jelani lots of experiences – some of them not positive, which he explains how they made him feel. He then defines the word racism with a straight to the point and clear simple answer that children can understand.

He shares that even a comment, a joke, a question, or just a word can be hurtful.

“Racism is one of the worst kinds of mean.”

Being different is actually really good for all of us, and Jelani stresses this in a fun way on the page. Being different allows us to have so much more to offer each other.

This is all shared in a simple red, black and white palette, in fonts large and small, portraying feelings, fun and the very important topic of understanding racism.

A Kid’s Book About Racism is to aid in approaching this tough subject with a child in a simple clear format, and also to celebrate our differences.

This is part of a series that empower, inform and kickstart challenging conversations with children aged 5 years to 9 years.

Other Titles in the range include: A Kids Book About…

Anxiety, Disability, Belonging, Body Image, Empathy, Equality, Failure, Gender, Gratitude, Imagination, Immigration and Life Online

Author – Jelani Memory

Age – 5+

(2023, Dorling Kindersley, DK, Racism, Explanations, Challenging topics, Open discussion, Understanding, Series, Feelings, Self Esteem, Differences, Different, Kindness)