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Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race

Part of First Conversations

Author Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli

Illustrated by Isabel Roxas

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Hardcover

$15.99 US

Penguin Young Readers | Rise x Penguin Workshop

9.25"W x 10.25"H x 0.31"D

On sale May 25, 2021 | 40 Pages | 9780593519394

Up to Kindergarten

Reading Level: Lexile AD550L | Fountas & Pinnell N

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Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way. Now available as a hardcover picture book!

Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven picture book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp and adults can leverage for further discussion.

While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like race and gender from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice.

This first book in the series begins the conversation on race, with a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion.

Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison (she/her) is a political educator and a lifelong student of radical Black feminism. She earned her PhD in Social Policy from Brandeis University. As a scholar-activist, her approach to research and practice is guided by the Sociopolitical Ecology of Development, a theoretical framework that she developed as a part of her dissertation. Megan has served on the boards of the National Association for the Education for Young Children and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice. With Jessica Ralli, she co-authors First Conversations–an award-winning series of anti-bias books for young children and their grown-ups. View titles by Megan Madison

Jessica Ralli is the Early Literacy Programs Coordinator at Brooklyn Public Library where she develops & manages grant-funded programming including Books Unbanned Storytimes. She has an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has taught in museums, schools, and libraries. Jessica is a contributor to School Library Journal, and in 2020, she received the Library Journal Movers and Shakers Award for her advocacy work in libraries. Jessica is currently co-authoring the award-winning First Conversations series with Megan Madison, published by RISE X Penguin Workshop. View titles by Jessica Ralli

Isabel Roxas is an author/illustrator, micro-publisher, ceramicist, and avid reader. She was born in Manila, Philippines, and was raised on luscious mangoes, old wives' tales, and monsoon moons. She now works in the backroom of an art gallery in Manhattan where she writes and illustrates stories, designs books, and creates small objects in clay and resin. Her illustrator credits include picture books Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (2018 Newbery medal winner), Let Me Finish! by Minh Lê (named an NPR Best Book of 2016) and Day at the Market by May Tobias-Papa (2010 winner of the Philippine National Book Award).

Isabel is the founder of Little Big Time Press, where she publishes artist books and zines for children. She is also a frequent contributor to Babybug and Ladybug Magazine. Her work has been recognized by American Illustration, HOW Magazine, and 3x3 Magazine of Contemporary Illustration. Her debut comic book for young readers, The Adventures of Team Pom: SQUID HAPPENS, will publish in June 2021.

Follow her on Twitter @studioroxas and Instagram @studioroxas. View titles by Isabel Roxas

Educator Guide for Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

⭐ “This accessibly written, adroit primer prompts the youngest readers to consider how skin tone relates to race and ethnicity, societal treatment, and justice. An ideal conversation starter for any child.” —Publishers Weekly (STARRED REVIEW)

⭐ “This timely book is essential for all collections.” —School Library Connection (STARRED REVIEW)

⭐ “An accessible, important addition to any anti-racist bookshelf.” —Kirkus (STARRED REVIEW)

⭐ "Children and adults can come together over this book, which takes apart the meanings of race and skin color at the foundational level. It’s a stepping stone on the path to understanding what it means to be human, with cheerful art and easy language." —School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)

“[This] is the book we’ve been waiting for! Ralli, Madison, and Roxas did an incredible thing: they explained race and racism to young children, [and] also provided guidance to the adults who will read it to children.” —Social Justice Books

“If there were ever a concept that was difficult to break down into terms accessible to young children, it is the concept of race, so adults will welcome Our Skin for its ability to just that.” —Booklist

“Introducing concepts such as race and gender to children as young as two invites them to begin developing their own questions and thoughts about those concepts, allowing them to start having these conversations early.” —The Root

American Library Association NOTABLE BOOK (2022)

National Council of Teachers of English NOTABLE SOCIAL STUDIES BOOK (2022)

Parents Magazine BEST BOOK (2021)

School Library Journal BEST BOOK (2021)

Association for Library Service to Children Reading List Pick (2022)

Wisconsin State Recommended Book