That's a Toy of a Different Color

The following is a letter that was sent to me a while back. When I told my friend about it, she said, "What? That's so Sixties!" Since it wasn't posted publicly, I'll refrain from mentioning the name of the sender. I also took the liberty of correcting some Nook-induced typos.

From reader:

So enjoy your blog I especially liked the books that have different races for children to read. When my youngest was little she fell in love with a black baby doll. The doll was a beautiful baby. She carried it every where and people would ask why I let her have this doll. I said she loves it and it's beautiful and makes her happy. Oh to have eyes like children we might please the Lord. Again I love reading your books, first time I ever read fantasies your writting just pulls me into the story that I feel part in it. Have a wonderful week.
Sent from my NOOK

My response:

Thank you so much for sharing! It's awesome that you let your daughter have a black baby. I don't know if I ever would have thought about doing that if I hadn't gotten into all this intercultural study stuff for Trooper, but it's a really great idea for kids to have toys and friends of all types.
It kind of irritates me that people would ask you why you let her have it, but good for you for sticking up for your choices. Trooper also has a black baby doll, and at least one person has asked why he has a baby (not about it being black). I said I think it's good for boys to feel comfortable with babies, too, and he's going to need the same parenting skills a girl will. It WAS a little strange when he brought it to church and then put it in the toy bag. People kept seeing it looking out and thinking I had a real kid in there :). It's a fairly life-like doll.
 
Thanks so much for commenting and sharing your story. It's encouraging on so many levels

 What do you think? Why should or shouldn't kids play with dolls and toys featuring people of different races?

While on this topic, I'll mention that I've added some books to the kids' book list:

'The Snowy Day' and 'Pete's Chair' by Ezra Jack Keats. The first is about Pete, a dark skinned boy, playing out in the snow, doing all the things kids would do if left to their own prerogative. The second is Pete coping with a little sister taking his place as the baby.

'Crouching Tiger' by Ying Chang Compestine features a Chinese American boy whose grandfather comes to the U.S. from China and shares some of his culture. It was a little too old for Trooper, probably better for six years and up.

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