Book Review
A short overview of this book
Our Skin. A first conversation about race by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli and Isabel Roxas is a fantastic board book that will help parents to talk about different skin colours and racism.
Diversity is one of the most important conversations parents should be having with their children. If you want your child to be accepting of differences in other people (as well as in themselves) then you need to start having these conversations early. And keep telling them that everyone is different, and that’s okay!
I am a huge fan of these board books from Megan Madison, as they provide parents with a valuable tool for starting sex education conversations. And this one is all about racism and how everyone is the same, regardless of their skin colour. Books like this are also important, because research tells us that early conversations can prevent racism.
So do yourself (and your kids) a favour, and grab the whole set of these books! As they will provide you with a very solid foundation in sex education.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 3 to 8 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Our Skin. A first conversation about race from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue with Cath Hak. On this website, I’m all about helping parents find an easier and better way to talk to their kids about sex education. We cover everything from love and relationships to growing up and having different conversations. Today, I want to talk about a fantastic book that tackles diversity, skin color, and racism when talking to young children.
The book I’m reviewing is called Our Skin: The First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison, Jessica Raleigh, and Isabelle Watson (who did an amazing job illustrating it!). It’s a board book, perfect for younger children. What I love about it is that it starts off by saying we all have skin, which comes in different colors, and even throws in an elephant to make it relatable for kids. How cool is that?
The book goes on to explore the different skin colors we see and how even within one family, there can be different shades. It encourages conversation by asking questions like, What do you love about your skin? It’s great to have these prompts to engage with your child while reading.
The book also explains how we get our skin color and what it means. It introduces words we can use to describe people with different skin colors and even includes group names from around the world. But here’s the best part: it emphasizes that skin color doesn’t define a person. It’s just a part of how they look. It doesn’t tell us anything about their personality or what they enjoy doing. That’s what makes us all unique!
What I really appreciate about this book is that it doesn’t shy away from addressing racism and its history. It talks about how in the past, different groups were labeled and how there was a false belief that having white skin meant being better or smarter. But the book quickly dispels that myth and highlights the importance of fairness and treating people respectfully.
There’s even a great example in the book where a teacher asks why one child is treated differently from the others. This can be a starting point for a conversation with your child about fairness and equality. The book wraps up with some helpful tips on how to continue the conversation beyond the pages.
I genuinely wish this book had been around when my own kids were younger. It’s perfect for those moments when your child asks questions about people with different skin colors. Instead of feeling unsure or worried about how to respond, you can use this book as a tool to have a comfortable and meaningful conversation.
Books like this are so important because as parents, we all want our kids to grow up to be kind, inclusive individuals who make the world a better place. We want them to embrace diversity and not judge others based on their skin color or abilities. I’m excited to see if the authors tackle the topic of different abilities and disabilities in future books.
If you have young children, I highly recommend getting a copy of Our Skin: The First Conversation About Race. It’s a book that will leave a lasting impact and help shape your child’s perspective on diversity and inclusivity. Trust me, it’s a valuable addition to any bookshelf.
I hope you found this review helpful. Cheers!
