Our Skin A First Conversation About ..., Megan Madison
Our Skin A First Conversation About ..., Megan Madison
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Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race

Author: Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli

Narrator: Robin Miles

Unabridged: 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/16/2021

Synopsis

Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series, now adapted for audio, 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 audiobook offers clear, concrete language 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.

About The Author

Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison 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. 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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kris on 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.......more

Goodreads review by Lectus on 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!......more

Goodreads review by Glenda on May 27, 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.......more

Goodreads review by Adriana on 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 a......more

Goodreads review by Deb (Readerbuzz) on 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.......more

Quotes

⭐ “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

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