February 15, 2021
Preschool-Grade 1 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 do just that. The book begins simply, with statements about skin color and accompanying questions that ask readers what they have noticed about the variety of shades of skin color around them. The illustrations depict humans of every hue, age, and size in so many shades of melanin. From there, the text transitions fluidly to explain, very succinctly, the pseudoscience behind white supremacy that led to racism. A few examples of what racism looks like in children's worlds make this concept tangible and ripe with opportunities to keep the conversation going, which is precisely the purpose of this series of First Conversations books. The back matter is intended for adults, with tips on how to interrupt stereotypical ideas, call out racism, and teach youngsters to do the same.
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Starred review from September 27, 2021
This accessibly written, adroit primer prompts the youngest readers to consider how skin tone relates to race and ethnicity, societal treatment, and justice. Madison and Ralli open with several pages featuring simple sentences centering skin, each followed by a gentle, well-chosen discussion question on the facing page: “Our skin is beautiful, strong,/ and important just the way it is!// What do you love about your skin?” The duo then digs deeper, explaining melanin, race, and racism, with illuminating examples: “Racism is also the things people do and the unfair rules they make about race so that white people get more power, and are treated better, than everybody else.” Dot-eyed, clearly emotive characters by Roxas, vibrantly rendered and digitally collaged, are of varying age, ability,
religion, and skin tone. An ideal conversation starter for any child. Back matter relays opportunities for adults to begin talks about skin color, race-related observations, family diversity, identity terms, and more. Ages 2–5.
Starred review from December 3, 2021
Toddler-PreS-A book that attempts to break down race and skin color in a nonjudgmental way, opening up the possibilities for discussion, sharing stories, and developing a path to critical thinking on the subject of racism. "We see different skin colors at the playground, at the grocery store, and on TV," states an opening spread, providing a neutral way into the discussion of how color became a system for unfairly sorting people into the haves and have-nots. Toddlers will feel the injustice even before they can pronounce the words. Friendly full-color spreads provide plenty of details to pore over. VERDICT 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.-Kimberly Olson Fakih
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Starred review from May 15, 2021
A conversation starter for adults and children on race, racism, and what to do about it. Subtitled "A First Conversation About Race," this book breaks race and racism down into simple terms and builds from there. It begins by asking readers to think about their skin and the skin of the people in their families. Through the context of differences in skin color, readers explore both the science of skin color with an explanation of melanin levels and questions like "What do you love about your skin?" and the social aspects of skin color and the ways that "people of color" are treated differently--both intentionally and not. The book skillfully tackles a broad range of topics, from identity terms to White supremacy, in direct and kid-friendly language. The nuanced summary of the different ways racism manifests is concrete and sure to spark important dialogue between children and the adults they read with. The message "Racism hurts and is always unfair!" is followed by suggestions for how readers can work to make change. People of many different racial presentations and ages, along with people with visible disabilities, are depicted in the bright watercolor illustrations. A "Continue the Conversation" section geared toward adults discusses helpful strategies for cultivating understanding of racism in even the youngest children. An accessible, important addition to any anti-racist bookshelf. (Board book. 2-5)
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