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First Conversations
Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race
Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.
Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board 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.
Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board 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.
38 pages, Board Book
First published March 16, 2021
16 people are currently reading
869 people want to read
About the author
Megan Madison
10 books23 followersMegan Pamela Ruth Madison (she, her) is an early childhood educator, scholar, and activist based in New York City. She began her career working as an assistant in a Waldorf elementary school. After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, Megan then went on to become a teacher in a Head Start preschool classroom. Now, as a doctoral candidate at Brandeis University, she works part-time facilitating workshops for teachers and families on race, gender and sexuality. Megan is currently working on a board book series with co-author Jessica Ralli for Rise x Penguin Workshop on race, gender, consent and body positivity. Megan recently completed a term on the governing board of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (or NAEYC) after several years serving as a co-facilitator of the association's Diversity & Equity Interest Forum. In that role, she worked to organize early childhood professionals around the country who are passionate about social justice. She is proud to hold a master’s degree in early childhood education from Dominican University. Megan lives in Harlem (unceded land of the Lenape people), where she loves reading, eating ice cream, and building community with Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (or JFREJ).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
July 8, 2021
The book starts off well with good conversations about skin color and seems very appropriate. Then towards the middle of the book it leads into a heavy handed conversation about white supremecy and how racism is white people being hateful towards other skin colors. I didn't realize only white people could be racist??? WTF
April 12, 2022
Apparently race doesn't exist except for when you want to collectively persecute a group of people with a similar skin tone (despite skin colour not being a race), as the author readily does. In her quest to stop racism she uses racism to perpetuate racism. The hypocrisy is glaringly unavoidable. Any adult not bright enough to comprehend this shouldn't be teaching their children this hateful and unbelievably racist postulation.
What race of white people is the author referring to, and what point in history is she referring to? Is she referring the Spanish? Russians or slavic / Eastern European peoples? Mediterranean people? Iranians? Jewish people? North West Anglo saxons? Central Europeans? Is she referring to the Roman conquest of Europe? The conquest of europe by Alexander the great? The conquest by the Persian empire? Is she referring to white Americans that owned slaves (again white isn't a race in itself, but this group of slave owners also included jewish peoples).
Her deliberate ambiguity on the subject is disingenuous and deliberately misleading. It is an attempt to create and perpetuate mistrust and hostility towards others by ham-fistedly grouping people together based on their skin colour alone, ignoring race, and lumping them together for the sake ignorant, lazy, accusatory conjecture.
This is mein kampf for children, a disgustingly racist and misleading book by an exceptionally misguided author that writes from a place of hypocrisy and resentment.
What race of white people is the author referring to, and what point in history is she referring to? Is she referring the Spanish? Russians or slavic / Eastern European peoples? Mediterranean people? Iranians? Jewish people? North West Anglo saxons? Central Europeans? Is she referring to the Roman conquest of Europe? The conquest of europe by Alexander the great? The conquest by the Persian empire? Is she referring to white Americans that owned slaves (again white isn't a race in itself, but this group of slave owners also included jewish peoples).
Her deliberate ambiguity on the subject is disingenuous and deliberately misleading. It is an attempt to create and perpetuate mistrust and hostility towards others by ham-fistedly grouping people together based on their skin colour alone, ignoring race, and lumping them together for the sake ignorant, lazy, accusatory conjecture.
This is mein kampf for children, a disgustingly racist and misleading book by an exceptionally misguided author that writes from a place of hypocrisy and resentment.
June 22, 2021
This book teaches that only white people are racist.
"A long time ago, way before you were born, a group of white people made up an idea called race. They sorted people by skin color and said white people were better, smarter, prettier, and that they deserve more than everybody else."
"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."
"A long time ago, way before you were born, a group of white people made up an idea called race. They sorted people by skin color and said white people were better, smarter, prettier, and that they deserve more than everybody else."
"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."
June 20, 2023
This is a good basic explanation of race, and I love that it is pissing people off who don't think that white supremacy is something that kids should be made aware of. Or, even better, that white supremacy isn't a thing. Yeah. Y'all need this book more than anyone.
January 21, 2022
am not White, but the way I see it, this book is kind of teaching kids to be racist against White people. It says that White people invented this and that… so, let’s be racist agains them, then!
July 25, 2021
A terrific resource as well as spreads that, by way of excellent text and Isabel Roxas's always wonderful and spirited illustrations, tell a story to accompany each concept.
December 11, 2021
I absolutely loved this introduction to race and racism for young children. It gives a brief overview of how melanin creates our skin color and gives a child-appropriate explanation of how race is a social construct that benefits white people at the expense of people of color. The authors explain how racism is unfair, always hurts people, and can be perpetuated unintentionally, but we can stand up against it to create fairness for all, which I think is an optimistic and empowering view of a social problem that can feel daunting. In addition to the good information in the text, the illustrations are beautiful and provide opportunities for teachers and parents to discuss phrenology (the racist pseudoscience of human skulls) and an example of racially biased school discipline.
I'm looking forward to sharing this book with my kindergarten students as a launching point for future conversations about standing up for social justice. Despite what many adults think, children absolutely are aware of race & capable of engaging in racism, so they need guidance and accurate answers to their questions. We need to have brave conversations with kids about white supremacy in the U.S. so they can take an active role in dismantling it.
I'm looking forward to sharing this book with my kindergarten students as a launching point for future conversations about standing up for social justice. Despite what many adults think, children absolutely are aware of race & capable of engaging in racism, so they need guidance and accurate answers to their questions. We need to have brave conversations with kids about white supremacy in the U.S. so they can take an active role in dismantling it.
May 17, 2022
A book on white supremacy is not an appropriate topic for kindergartners. The term itself is racist and exposes the animus of the authors towards the white race. This book is toxic and intended to demonize white children. The topic of racism is a worthy topic for students and has been addressed in literature and in the classroom for all the years I have been aware.
The way to a well adjusted adulthood is to leave behind real and imagined resentments towards parents and teachers and to take responsibility and control of one's life. Inside this book the offending child is always white and is the only racism highlighted as though the children of color are always innocent. This position is very far from accurate. The inaccuracy will encourage children to hang on to their misconceptions and to feel justified in the hostility they feel towards white children.
This book does not address the fact that all races can be racist and indeed is very black/white centric again exposing the intentions of the authors. My sincere hope is this book will not be implemented in classroom across the US and these authors should try harder.
The way to a well adjusted adulthood is to leave behind real and imagined resentments towards parents and teachers and to take responsibility and control of one's life. Inside this book the offending child is always white and is the only racism highlighted as though the children of color are always innocent. This position is very far from accurate. The inaccuracy will encourage children to hang on to their misconceptions and to feel justified in the hostility they feel towards white children.
This book does not address the fact that all races can be racist and indeed is very black/white centric again exposing the intentions of the authors. My sincere hope is this book will not be implemented in classroom across the US and these authors should try harder.
May 28, 2021
This is a gorgeous picture book about how even infants recognize differences in skin color and how parents and teachers can help them grow into individuals who accept all races and ethnicities w/out racial bias.
April 14, 2021
FABULOUS introduction to race & racism for young children presented in a board book format. A definite purchase for my elementary libraries and to share with students to spark conversations.
August 28, 2021
This book teaches children only white people are racist. Each example is a white person being racist to a black person. Yes, all backgrounds are included in being aware of different races but each example is directed at a white person as being the racist.
May 8, 2022
Racist trash. I'd imagine this book would be much loved by hateful lefties.
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March 7, 2023The book talks about different skin colors and tones, and how different people identify their skin color. It also talks about why skin is different colors, but how it is all skin and does the same important job. It then talks about racism - what it is, what it looks like, and why it's bad.
I really liked the questions scattered throughout the book to make it more engaging and personal to students. This is a great read as it enforces the ideas of similarities and differences and how our differences don't make us bad, just unique. It helps strengthen the idea that nobody is exactly the same and we should celebrate the ways in which we are different.
I really liked the questions scattered throughout the book to make it more engaging and personal to students. This is a great read as it enforces the ideas of similarities and differences and how our differences don't make us bad, just unique. It helps strengthen the idea that nobody is exactly the same and we should celebrate the ways in which we are different.
September 15, 2021
I thought this book was a great way to introduce the color of our skin and have kids realize that we will see differences in ourselves and others but that does not mean that we are not the same. This was interactive in the way that it asked questions that would be good for kids to answer and think about it. It also introduced them to the word ‘melanin’ which i think was great to learn new vocabulary
June 13, 2021
Fantastic and approachable for kids of all ages. This book acknowledges the differences in skin color, how we are all the same on the inside, and the social construct of race and why it's problematic all on a level that even babies can understand.
It's never too early to talk about race when even babies can notice differences.
It's never too early to talk about race when even babies can notice differences.
November 23, 2021
Our Skin shares all the things children might like to know about people's skin.
Each piece of information is followed up by a question that directly relates to the reader.
An excellent introduction into skin, classification of people into groups, and racism for young readers.
Each piece of information is followed up by a question that directly relates to the reader.
An excellent introduction into skin, classification of people into groups, and racism for young readers.
April 28, 2022
This is a really excellent conversation starter. Though it is a board book, it is definitely meant for a child who is a bit older, I'm thinking toddler at the earliest. Still, this is a really great resource, and I'm glad to have it!
April 11, 2021
My preschooler gets it. Kids can see. We just need to give them words to understand it and communicate it.
April 24, 2021
must have/must read!
May 20, 2021
didn't expect to see eugenics mentioned in a kids board book, but here we are lmfao. very ambitious and pretty decent considering. I know and work with Jessica so it's cool to see!
April 12, 2022
This book teaches the authors narrative. It does not go into how racism is inherent in all races.
August 10, 2023
This series is called First Conversations and that is a very fitting name. This is an age-appropriate way to talk about racism with young children. It's never too soon to learn!
July 11, 2024
Honestly a pretty good book that I think will benefit anyone to read. I think it’s a great introduction to race and racism to children.
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November 22, 2023Liked how it would introduce differences to children, and also help adults with how to handle conversations about race. Wanna read the whole collection now!
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March 18, 2021Here's a great introduction to talking to young kids about skin color and race, complete with tips for parents on having these conversations. I can only speak to my own perspective as a white reader, but I think this book would be a helpful tool for white parents looking to open up conversations about race and racism. The first half of the book talks about skin color, melanin, and words that we use for different groups of people (white, African American, indigenous, etc.). Interactive questions are sprinkled through the text of the first half of the book ("What color is your skin?" "What do you love about your skin?" etc.).
The second half of the book, which is more text heavy and does not include interactive questions, talks about what racism is, how racism can be on purpose or by mistake, gives some examples, etc. I think this half of the book could be very helpful to parents looking for simple wording to present these concepts to young children. The very end of the book includes tips for parents to talk about skin color, how to respond when your child talks about skin color in public, how to talk to children about injustice, etc.
Pair this with Antiracist Baby for parents looking to talk about social justice and race with their young children.
The second half of the book, which is more text heavy and does not include interactive questions, talks about what racism is, how racism can be on purpose or by mistake, gives some examples, etc. I think this half of the book could be very helpful to parents looking for simple wording to present these concepts to young children. The very end of the book includes tips for parents to talk about skin color, how to respond when your child talks about skin color in public, how to talk to children about injustice, etc.
Pair this with Antiracist Baby for parents looking to talk about social justice and race with their young children.
December 16, 2021
For all of you fragile folks who are offended by this particular page of the book, my "breakdown/explainer for dummies" of this page is shown in parenthesis below.
A LONG time ago, WAY before you were born (yes, they clearly added this part in to help alleviate your white fragility), a GROUP of white people (hey Einstein, did you know that a “group” does not = ALL white people) made up an idea called race (FACT – literally only racists or people with a 2nd grade education would dispute this). They sorted people by skin color (FACT – and would you believe it, this occurred through the late 1960s - mind-blowing for you, I’m sure) and said white people were better (FACT – where do I start? The 3/5ths compromise, Jim Crow laws, public lynchings, basic rights like voting, etc.?), smarter (FACT – look at some of those bogus racist “studies” by Dr. Samuel Morton and others claiming black people were intellectually inferior), prettier (FACT - remember all those horrible racist caricature depictions?), and that they deserve more than everybody else (FACT – like the generational wealth handed down to you and the privilege you live with every day).
A LONG time ago, WAY before you were born (yes, they clearly added this part in to help alleviate your white fragility), a GROUP of white people (hey Einstein, did you know that a “group” does not = ALL white people) made up an idea called race (FACT – literally only racists or people with a 2nd grade education would dispute this). They sorted people by skin color (FACT – and would you believe it, this occurred through the late 1960s - mind-blowing for you, I’m sure) and said white people were better (FACT – where do I start? The 3/5ths compromise, Jim Crow laws, public lynchings, basic rights like voting, etc.?), smarter (FACT – look at some of those bogus racist “studies” by Dr. Samuel Morton and others claiming black people were intellectually inferior), prettier (FACT - remember all those horrible racist caricature depictions?), and that they deserve more than everybody else (FACT – like the generational wealth handed down to you and the privilege you live with every day).
April 17, 2024
I guess it's never too early to start indoctrinating your toddler with identity politics! Apparently "a long time ago...a group of white people made up an idea called race. They sorted people by skin color and said that white people were better, smarter, prettier, and that they deserve more than everyone else". This page comes complete with an illustration of an evil old white man and his collection of exotic skulls! I hope the authors never learn about the racial attitudes prevalent in Imperial Japan, or among the Han Chinese, or among the Zulu in the 18th and 19th centuries as it might challenge their main thesis.
August 5, 2021
I read the board book version of this and I don't think it a good fit for babies and toddlers. I am not sure why this was published as a board book when the text is clearly for older kids. No way a 2 year old will sit through a reading of this. What is extra weird is that it starts out super simple and maybe ok for babies and then gets really complicated fast. I think this is absolutely a topic that should be discussed but this is not the right mix of format, text and age group.
December 28, 2021
A librarian friend recommended “Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race,” and my youngest daughter and I just finished reading it together. She’s a rising 3rd grader, and I think this would be a great option for preschoolers through early elementary ages. The illustrations are wonderful and the text is easy to understand and asks lots of thoughtful questions to encourage family discussion.
March 22, 2021
A great conversation starter for young children and adults to talk about race and racism.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews