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Teaching About Race, Racism and Police Violence

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Teaching About Race, Racism and Police Violence

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Teaching Tolerance

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Teaching About Race, Racism and Police Violence

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In 2014, the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Eric Garner in New York City, Tamir Rice in Cleveland and too many others caused waves of nationwide protest and appeals for stronger protections against police brutality. These events—along with the lack of accountability for the police officers wh…

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Black Lives Matter Instructional Library

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Black Lives Matter Instructional Library

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Read alouds

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How To Talk to Kids About Race and Racism

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How To Talk to Kids About Race and Racism

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NBC New York

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Photo by EVA MARIE UZCATEGUI/AFP via Getty Images

There's no question: Talking about race can be sensitive. And "choosing" whether or not to talk to your kids about race is an option many parents, specifically those of color, don't have; some children will learn about it by confronting racism in their everyday lives.

This can make the "conversation about race" even trickier, as what is discussed can change depending on a variety of factors, such as a family's makeup, socioeconomic class, or the community they live in. Therefore, the context will vary, depending on who is talking and what their personal experiences are with race and racism.

There's no "one way" to dive into this topic. But, there are better ways to go about it. Above all, it's a conversation all parents need to have, no matter your background or experience. Here's how experts suggest getting started.

U.S. & World

Actually talk about it

Talking about race is an incredibly important conversation that shouldn't be avoided. And, research backs that up. Dr. Margaret Hagerman, a sociologist and author of " White Kids: Growing Up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America," spent two years studying 30 affluent, white families in a Midwestern community, during which she found, "kids are learning and hearing about race regardless of whether parents are talking to them about it."

Dr. Erin Winkler, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, said children notice skin color, just as they'd notice any other physical difference (i.e., glasses, long hair, or height). At the same time, "children are learning to categorize - shapes, colors, and people, too," Winkler explained.

So, what ends up happening? "Not talking about race causes children to come to a lot of harmful, problematic, and factually inaccurate conclusions," Hagerman said. If we teach children that racism is simply a thing of the past and that today we are all equal - and all equally capable of achieving the "American Dream" - children "may mistakenly assume that the unequal racial patterns they see are earned or justified," Winkler said. Like anything else, children begin filling in the information gaps themselves, and their data points may not always be coming from the most reliable sources.

Still, some parents don't talk about race because they don't want to raise their children to be aware of differences - insisting it enables children to see one another as more "equal." While the intentions may be inherently good, Amber Coleman-Mortley, Director of Social Engagement for iCivics, cautions parents from adopting a "colorblind" perspective of the world. "At our core, we are the same. We all want to feel safe, accepted, and loved. But teaching kids to be colorblind sets them up for failure," Coleman-Mortley said. "Moreover, walking around acting like you don't see differences can actually do more harm."

To be clear, this isn't a discussion reserved for white parents and their kids. While ensuring we raise children who are aware of other people's experiences is a facet of the overall conversation, parents with children of color need to talk to their kids, too. "Like it or not, due to historical practice and present biases, in some communities and schools children of color have a profoundly different experience than white children do," explained Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of " How to Raise an Adult" and " Real American," a memoir on race. "Parents need to take stock of the community in which they are raising their kids, talk about the racial differences and how people are sometimes treated unfairly on the basis of race, and prepare their child to be self-aware, smart and safe out there."

Set the example

So, where should parents begin? Rosalind Wiseman, founder of Cultures of Dignity, said that in order to have thoughtful - and productive - conversations about race with children, parents need to be comfortable discussing it themselves.

"It takes an active effort to consume information about people different than you," Lythcott-Haims explained. She said documentaries, such as " 13TH," or books, such as " Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race," are good places to start. "It's not about whose perspective is right or wrong, it's about acknowledging there are perspectives other than your own and making an effort to learn about them."

While it's important to be informed, the best way to overcome stereotypes is by making sincere connections with a variety of individuals. Sometimes, whether by choice or by design, we aren't exposed to people who are different from us. Think: Does your network of friends look the same? Ask yourself why. "If you're encouraging your children to have a diverse network of friends, but everyone who enters your home looks the same, that will leave an impression on them," said Winkler.

Lythcott-Haims encourages parents to give themselves access to other people's experiences. Just hearing a person's story can completely change the way we perceive the world. "When we break into small groups and say, 'I want to tell you about my life and hear more about yours,' then we see each other less as labels and more like human beings," she said. This doesn't just go for parents, but kids as well. "Adults can facilitate this by bringing kids together to share their stories with one another," Lythcott-Haims suggested. "Watch how commonality and bridge-building happens."

"From my research, what we say is only one piece of it," Winkler said. "Children don't buy, 'do as I say, not as I do.' They'll notice our patterns." So, if you want to raise socially aware children, keep the phrase "actions speak louder than words" in mind. While conversations are crucial, our children will learn most from the examples we set for them.

Help your child navigate their curiosity

As any parent knows, it's natural for children to ask questions. And as any parent who's ever sported a new haircut knows, children don't always ask questions as delicately as we'd hope. But we don't want to discourage our children from learning more.

"Teaching your kids how to be respectfully curious can be difficult," Coleman-Mortley said. But why does it seem especially hard when it comes to talking about race? "Race used to be a taboo topic of conversation," said Michele Chang, Director of Facilitation and Curriculum for Challenging Racism. "It was considered impolite to talk about."

"Young children have a natural curiosity about differences, but they don't put any value on what it means, until they pick it up from what their parent says, or what the media tells them," Chang said. "So, when a child asks their parent, 'Why does that person look like that?' and their parent shushes them, it shuts down the conversation and signals to the child there's something wrong."

Parents also need to be aware of what the child is actually asking about or noticing. "There's so much out there on how to talk to kids - we need to think more about how to listen to kids," said Hagerman. For example, if your young child says something that you think could potentially have racist undertones, Shari Benites, Challenging Racism Facilitator, and Trainer, recommends taking a moment to stop and ask yourself: What are they saying? What are they noticing? Ask them, "What makes you think that?" Their observation may be completely different than what you initially assumed. And the only way to truly know what your child meant after saying a "questionable" statement is by asking them to clarify or explain further.

When children begin growing curious about the world around them, they usually look to their parents to explain. But, what if you honestly don't know what to say? Benites said, "Parents need to know it's OK not to know. It can be natural to want to have all the answers, but sometimes the best answer is, 'I'm not sure. But let's look into it and learn about it together.'" This way, you're not just showing your children the importance of admitting when you're uncertain about something, but also keeping the conversation moving forward in a positive direction. Additionally, it's OK to return to a question if you don't know what to say right away, Winkler said. There's always time to loop back.

Intention, interpretation, and impact are all worth addressing when a child asks a question. So, understand why the question is being asked. Is it coming from a place of judgment, or a sincere effort to know more? And where does the need to know more stem from? Then, break down how the question is being asked. "Prefacing it with, 'Hey that's really cool...' or 'I've never seen that before, can you tell me about it...' can show the other person you're genuinely curious," Coleman-Mortley said.

Although we want our children to ask questions, who they're asking matters. It's one thing to have a child confide in their parent, it's another thing for them to blatantly ask someone they don't know. "One child's curiosity doesn't trump another child's privacy," Chang explained. Moreover, it's not a person of color's responsibility to "teach" people. "If your child is curious, you can read about it, find out more, and from there, have a sincere conversation about it," Chang said.

Make it relatable

How many times have your kids whined about something being unfair? The concept of fairness matters to children. And because of this, unfairness is the perfect way to explain and conceptualize racism to young children, Winkler said.

Since children notice patterns, they may mistakenly assign their own meaning to understand why racism exists, Winkler explained. But, it's not exactly easy to break down structural or institutional racism to a child, either. So, Winkler came up with her own method, which she calls the "spider web activity."

In her piece, Here's How To Raise Race-Conscious Children, Winkler explained, "Give children balls of string and ask them to move around the room unraveling their balls of string to make a very tangled web. Once they are finished, ask them to untangle it. They will soon find that it is much more difficult to untangle the web than it was to create it in the first place. Then explain that working to make society fair is a lot like untangling this web."

Some parents may worry that introducing the concept of racism could be damaging, or scary, especially if that child could be the target of racism, or if the parent has experienced racism themselves. But, instead of staying silent, it's crucial to empower children. "Parents cannot responsibly teach children about racism and then say, 'Well, sorry! That's the way it is,'" Winkler said. Instead, Winkler advises parents to explain, "Even though there is unfairness, there have always been people working to change it, and we can be a part of it, too." This way, you are showing your child racism is possible to untangle, and they can be a part of that solution.

Be open about addressing mistakes

Try as we might, mistakes still happen. "If someone says something offensive, it's important to keep in mind their experience probably does not include your experience," Coleman-Mortley said. But, what should children actually say to someone who has offended them? Chang recommends equipping children with three words: "Tell me more." Open, honest communication begins with a willingness to talk and understand. "There's no better way to shut down a conversation than to call someone a racist," Chang said. "Saying, 'tell me more' gives the other person the opportunity to explain their point of view."

Of course, there are times when open, honest communication just doesn't suffice, and more needs to be said or done. If your child comes to you upset about something they heard, Benites recommends saying, "It is not your job to educate your classmates about race, but with that in mind, what do you want to do about it?" The focus should be on figuring out what the child needs, and going from there.

What should we tell our children when they accidentally say the wrong thing? Explain to your kids, "The key is to listen before you react. Don't just rush to say, 'That's not what I meant,' before understanding why the other person is upset," Benites says. "We need to teach our children they are always obligated to listen to what people say and how they feel."

Once your child understands why the other person is offended, they can sincerely offer an apology. "The best thing you can say is, 'I am so sorry. I didn't mean to offend. What do I need to do to ensure I am not making that mistake again?'" Lythcott-Haims said. It's not about being perfect; it's about taking ownership when we've made a mistake and using it as a learning opportunity to be more aware in the future.

Sometimes there's confusion over what is deemed "offensive." And the truth is, it isn't always clear. Keep historical context in mind. Encourage your children to study the past so they can better understand the present. "In order to appreciate cultures, we also need to have respect for the historical framework," Coleman-Mortley said. Hagerman echoes this citing her research that, "kids who understood history were the most aware."

Racism isn't always as explicit as someone using a slur or telling an offensive joke. In fact, whether we realize it or not, even those who consider themselves "not racist" may have deeply held beliefs or narratives that wrongly stereotype an entire group of people. "We all have biases, but we can overcome them," Lythcott-Haims said. That starts with acknowledging to ourselves that we are having those thoughts, rather than ignoring them.

By actively taking note of an implicit bias beginning to surface, we're already starting to undo it, Lythcott-Haims said. But, it doesn't stop there. "Tell yourself, 'I'm going to try to treat this person as if they are my best friend.'"

When it comes to navigating own biases with kids, "Parents should be open and honest with their kids about their implicit biases. It doesn't make us bad people, it just makes us people," Wiseman said. "If we own it, we have more power over it." But, again, it's not just about addressing the bias. "We must also tell our children what we are doing to overcome the bias," Lythcott-Haims said.

Be an advocate

No matter who you are, or where you come from, it's important to be an advocate for all people. "The focus is often on white America, but it should be about all cultures and how each of us can live in a way that is acceptable for everyone," Coleman-Mortley said. But what does "being an advocate" actually look like? "With advocacy, you want to allow people to speak for themselves," Coleman-Mortley said. That means passing the mic when it's someone else's turn to share their experience. "But, you're also supporting them when they need assistance."

If you have older children, and they're knowingly saying something racist, that's when it's time to be super concrete, Wiseman said. "I tell my children, 'Sometimes we joke, or sometimes Mom drops an F-bomb, but there is a very large difference between swearing because you stubbed your toe, and saying something to intentionally put someone down,'" Wiseman said. If you don't intervene, or say something in the moment, that will signal to your child that you're OK with that type of language or behavior.

What if the person saying something inappropriate isn't your child? "You are never neutral when someone is being disrespectful or using bigoted language," Wiseman says. If it's a friend or relative who is saying something racist, you can tell them directly, "I don't want that type of language around my children." Then, talk to your children after. "This will empower your kids to use their own voice in appropriate ways."

An important part of being an advocate is not just saying people are equal, but acting in a way that reflects that thinking. "It's not good enough to say, 'We are not racist.' You are not off the hook," Wiseman said. Instead, Lythcott-Haims said parents should pledge to be actively antiracist. But what does it actually mean to be antiracist?

Author Beverly Tatum explains the concept of racism versus "antiracism" in her book, " Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race," by comparing it to a moving walkway in an airport. Those who are actively racist are walking fast on the conveyor belt, knowingly and willingly leveraging their privilege to get ahead at the expense of others. Those who are passively racist are standing still on the conveyor belt. Sure, they may not be exerting the same force as those who are actively racist, but they're still happily moving forward at the expense of others. Then there are those who see the inequality and make a point to turn around, but Tatum emphasizes, "Unless they are walking actively in the opposite direction at a speed faster than the conveyor belt - unless they are actively antiracist - they will find themselves carried along with the others."

The only to really talk about race and racism, is by activating a growth mindset, said Coleman-Mortley. "It's really important for parents at home to impress upon their kids that humanity has to come first. We have to be OK with being vulnerable, OK with being wrong, and OK with challenging the things we've learned."

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. It was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated. More from TODAY:

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Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence - Child Mind Institute

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Parents and other caregivers are seeking resources to help them hold children through the current, terrible wave of racialized violence, which is exacerbated by the tensions and vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As scholars, writers, and parents who use books to connect with our children and spark conversations with them, we've developed this book list to help engage the broad range of emotions and needs of diverse children in our multiracial society. In some cases, we've highlighted worthy, albeit lesser-known titles. Some are older books, some are newer, and a few will publish later this year but are available for pre-order now. This list skews heavily towards #ownvoices books and is arranged alphabetically by title.

Please use these books to help you do the work of making the world a safer, more equitable place for all children.

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From Teaching Tolerance

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To our community of educators, wherever this may find you:

This week, we on the TT staff have come to our work with a range of emotions. Some of us are feeling a strong urge to be useful but struggling to imagine what that looks like. Some of us are feeling exhausted, "sick and tired of being sick and tired," as the great Fannie Lou Hamer once said.

Some of us have years of experience organizing in our communities, and others are new to engaging in this way. For some, anti-Blackness and police violence are deeply personal, painful lived experiences. For others, antiracism and allyship are ongoing processes of learning, unlearning and working toward a practice of humbled solidarity.

Despite these differences, we're all feeling combinations of grief and anger, of powerlessness and resolve. And under it all, a deep, deep sadness.

Maybe you are feeling this too.

Because we believe in the value of social justice education, we want to offer practical answers. We want to give students an explanation of why things are the way they are. We want to chart a path forward for them, for you and for us.

Yet, as we witness and share in the collective mourning for lost Black lives and the demands for justice for victims like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade, we must admit that we don't have the answers.

So instead of reaching out to share a one-size-fits-all plan, we're writing to ask you to commit to checking in with students individually. Instead of preparing an answer in advance, we hope you'll find out what questions your students have.

What do your Black students need to feel safe and valued in their learning space right now? What do your non-Black students need to better understand how to provide support and stand against injustice? What do your students want you to know about their understanding of justice and desire to take action? What are their fears in this moment? What gives them hope?

There will be a time for takeaways. In the coming weeks and months, our questions will shift toward analysis. We'll concretely and consistently recognize the depth of the history that informs this moment and the diverse range of lived experiences that share the streets. We'll turn to vital questions about educational spaces and their relationship to systemic, racist violence. We'll continue to look at our institutions and consider how they might better serve all people. We'll continue to think critically about the role educators can play in imagining a liberatory future for all.

When we do, we'll look back to the solidarity we're seeing now.

In activist spaces, Black people have too long had to carry the torch. The same is true in education, where equity work too often falls disproportionately on overworked Black educators. We are heartened by the multiracial coalitions we see marching alongside each other and disheartened by white protesters who are co-opting space rather than joining in solidarity. We hope that non-Black educators will share in the work to come with self-awareness and avoid demanding their Black colleagues' extra emotional labor.

In the days and weeks to come, we'll continue to formulate answers to the question that motivates our work: How can we help? But we're admitting that, right now, we don't have all of those answers.

Instead, we want to let you know that we're with you. We're here and we're listening. And we hope you're doing the same for the students in your care.

In solidarity and with love,
Teaching Tolerance

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Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

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Articles, lessons, and activities for students of all ages

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Cultivate positive identity formation, encourage students to confront racial and ethnic injustice, and prepare them to live and work together in a diverse world. Our resources can help you facilitate discussions about race and guide students through lessons on white privilege, economic inequality, mass incarceration, the complexities of identity and more.

"We may be uncomfortable talking about race, but we can no longer afford to be silent. We have chosen a profession that-like parenting-requires us to put our comforts second to those of children."

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Cultivate positive identity formation, encourage students to confront racial and ethnic injustice, and prepare them to live and work together in a diverse world. Our resources can help you facilitate discussions about race and guide students through lessons on white privilege, economic inequality, mass incarceration, the complexities of identity and more.

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15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Race, Policing and Protest

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15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Race, Policing and Protest

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As nationwide protests against police brutality continue, teachers in their virtual classrooms are once again searching for ways to help their students process the killings of black people in police custody in the United States.

Speaking with Education Week on Monday, teachers said that they and their colleagues have a responsibility to address these protests, which erupted when George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.

"Teachers cannot be silent during this time," said Patrick Harris, a 6th and 7th grade English and social studies teacher at the Detroit Achievement Academy. "Teachers have to take a stand. Students are absorbing this, [and] they're going to ask themselves later on in life or even now, 'What was my teacher doing during this time?'"

Talking with students about these events, as they experience them, is top priority right now, said Abdul Wright, who teaches 8th grade language arts in North Minneapolis. "I have to find a way to make meaning of this in a way that creates a better society for them," he said.

Some teachers whose classes have already ended for the school year are reaching back out to students, particularly their black students, giving them space to talk about their emotions and ask questions.

Other teachers in schools still in session are seeking materials and resources to teach about this moment, such aslesson plans that engage students in conversations about racism, policing, and protest.

On Monday, Chicago Public Schools released "Say Their Names," a collection of lessons and materials designed "to help foster productive conversations about race and civil disobedience."

The toolkit links to other organizations' resources on supporting black students' mental and emotional health, discussing the Black Lives Matter movement, and talking about anti-black racism with non-black students. And it encourages teachers to educate themselves on racism in the U.S. before broaching these topics with students.

In California, theLos Angeles Unified School District posted a collection of resources for teachers, for talking about race with children and addressing trauma. The superintendent of education in the state, Tony Thurmond, said the California Department of Education will also be releasing online materials and trainings.

For teachers looking for more classroom resources-for themselves and their students-Education Week has compiled the following list:

Resources about George Floyd's death and the current protests:

The Anti-Defamation League has created a short lesson on Floyd's death and police killings of black people, which includes a reading, discussion questions, and action steps for students aged 11 and up.

Resources for talking about race, racism, and Black Lives Matter:

In addition to addressing race and racism in lesson plans, experts and advocates have urged teachers to build a diverse classroom library with protagonists who look like their students.

The group Embrace Race compiled a list of 31 children's books that address race, racism, and activism. And the nonprofit Teaching for Change put together a list of social justice books for teens.

Joe Truss, the principal of Visitacion Middle School in San Francisco Unified and a consultant on racial equity in schools, has curated a list of books for teachers who want to engage in anti-racist work.

Starting these classroom conversations can be uncomfortable and challenging. But for black teachers, talking about police brutality and anti-black racism can be particularly emotionally draining. The Practice Freedom Project, founded by Atlanta educator Tamara Pearson, is hosting virtual meditations and reflections for black educators.

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15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest

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As nationwide protests against police brutality continue, teachers in their virtual classrooms are once again searching for ways to help their students process the killings of black people in police custody in the United States.

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how to talk to your children about protests and racism - cnn

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How to talk to your children about protests and racism

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Protecting your children from the disturbing images of riots and police brutality is a battle in today's smartphone-addicted society. Here are expert tips on how to help your child navigate the trauma of today's protests while tackling the underlying cause: racism.

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Embrace Race: Action Guides for Working with Younger Children to Address Race

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Embrace Race: Action Guides for Working with Younger Children to Address Race

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EmbraceRace fights systemic racism by supporting parents to raise children who are brave, informed and thoughtful about race. Join the movement!

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Recorded

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Watch the entire CNN/Sesame Street racism town hall | CNN

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CNN's Van Jones and Erica Hill partner with "Sesame Street" for Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a town hall for kids and families. Watch the town hall in its entirety below:

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Here is a wonderful book about embracing difference by a Portland Kindergarten teacher, Samara Cole Doyon (and she interned in Gorham!)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Important
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020

My daughter loves this book so much. The poetic language and gorgeous illustrations are such a treat. The best part for us is she gets to see herself in the story — her different moods, activities, hair styles and her beauty. We brought one into her classroom and the teachers and kids were loving it. This should be in every school library.

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2020

My entire family LOVES this book. My daughter is 10. The poetry and artistry is amazing. What I loved most about this book is my daughter connected so deeply with how nature was depicted. From the clothes to the activities, to being at home. When I moved to Maine many, many years ago I noticed how children, libraries and stores were very connected to Maine authors for children's stories. Dr's. even gave out children's books by Maine Authors during well visits. As we loved the children's stories by Maine authors, never once have we come across a story depicting beautiful shades of Brown girls by a Maine Author. This book should be in everyone's
collection. A must for all children. I would recommend this book for adults as well as a reminder of the beauty in the world that is Magnificently Brown.

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020

My daughter loves this book so much. The poetic language and gorgeous illustrations are such a treat. The best part for us is she gets to see herself in the story — her different moods, activities, hair styles and her beauty. We brought one into her classroom and the teachers and kids were loving it. This should be in every school library.

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Important
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020

My daughter loves this book so much. The poetic language and gorgeous illustrations are such a treat. The best part for us is she gets to see herself in the story — her different moods, activities, hair styles and her beauty. We brought one into her classroom and the teachers and kids were loving it. This should be in every school library.

Images in this review

Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020

This book is a wonderful celebration of brown skin. She uses beautiful, cozy, imagery that brought me back to sights, smells and tastes that I have also cherished. My boys also love it (ages 6 and 8).

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2020

Children of color will hear their skin celebrated and compared to everything brown and beautiful in the world around them. They will hear how their skin connects them with nature and with family. In classrooms where we too often pretend color doesn’t exist, students can hear this ode to their skin through poetic verse. I cannot imagine anything more important.

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021

I love the illustrations in this book. The text is excellent, also.

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2020

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2020

The illustrations are magnificent, and that's mostly it.
The writing is not for the level for which it's intended: ages 5-8 or grades K-3. It is NOT a read-aloud in the ordinary sense of that word. There are WAY too many words and phrases that need interpreting, which means the "poem" is going to lose any cadence the author may have wanted it to have. Too many word pictures poetically painted are hard for such young children to grasp. And having to stop to explain such is onerous, to say the least: sacred, elixir, balm, beleaguered, earthy, mica, flecks, iridescent, enfold, and poignant are just a sampling. It is more possible--with "endless" explanations--that this praise of brownness might interest children/students in grade 4 and up .

Needless to say, this will not become part of my resource of hundreds of picture books from which I choose to read (and have read for years) to mostly African-American K-4 students. Yes, this attempt to celebrate brown or any color skin or ethnicity/sub-culture, falls rather short.

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2020

This book is a verbal and visual celebration of being comfortable in the gorgeous skin that you are in. The lyrical poetic language is inspiring and heartwarming making it a perfect story to share one-on-one.
Little girls express the different shades of brown that they witness around them in the world. They compare the tones they find to different physical and personality attributes that they possess. They use terms such as: deep secret brown... like my eyes, feathery brown...like my lashes, amber brown...like my hair, radiant brown.. like my skin, smooth, creamy brown...like my laughter, and thundering brown... like my power, just to name a few. The girls know deep down in their hearts that they are beautiful both inside and out making each glow with pride and happiness because of that unconditional truth.

The author has included a diverse cast of characters representing different ethnic cultures and also those with disabilities. The illustrations are gorgeous. They are full of rich details that are portrayed in soft, warm, autumn colours ... a perfect pallet to impact the reader visually and invite them into the coziness of the story. The text will influence both young and old alike as it is shared together. This "celebration-of-life" book should be in every elementary school library and would be perfect to give as a gift. I highly recommend this book.

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Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration

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Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration [Doyon, Samara Cole, Juanita, Kaylani] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration

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Children's Books That Celebrate Muslim Culture

These children's books feature Muslim protagonists, celebrate Muslim culture, and illustrate Islamic traditions.

Pre-K

Growing Reader

Books That Help Kids Know and Love Themselves

These books are great tools to help kids know their strengths, understand their uniqueness, and embrace both.

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Brightly | Helping Parents Grow Lifelong Readers

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All Ages These children's books feature Muslim protagonists, celebrate Muslim culture, and illustrate Islamic traditions. These books are great tools to help kids know their strengths, understand their uniqueness, and embrace both.

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Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

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Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

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Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.