Review: Racism and Intolerance

Racism and Intolerance by Louise Spilsbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Are you looking for a gentile way to talk about sensitive topics with little ones.  These Children in our World books are an excellent gateway to challenging conversations.  "Racism and Intolerance" books is no except.   That is why it's my Black History Month pick for 2025.

     I loved that this book makes it easy to talk about tough topics.  

     As a parents with no child care education experience I felt comfortable with the way this book discussed these icky issues with my four year old.  She learned some not fun words such as prejudice, racism, passive agression, and intolerance.  This opened a discussion about her rights as a person,  how we treat people when we are at school and in public, and how no one should ever be treated.  As a four year old, she was really curious as to "why" people are so mean to each other.  So that opened up a discussion about fairness, and equality.  

What I like

I appreciate that this book isn't just black and white.  It's brown, yellow, red, and jew too.  It shows that these things happen all over the world, including our own back yard and to people who look like members of our family.

The illustrations do a lot of work in these pictures, show both overt discrimination, passive in-tolerance, and passionate hatred and what it leads to.  

What I didn't like

 I liked most of this book.  However, at end some of the suggestions for how to make the world a better place here a little heavy handed.  In my opinion the only thing they suggested that most kids can do is be their best selves, treat all people with tolerance, and respect and to try be curious about cultures.  However, the book on to suggest that children could sell their own toys to donate to charities.  That's a bit much.  The book also suggests helping a teach create a world culture day.  Such a kid gets beat up at the schools I went to.  But they could help a teacher set one up, or suggest one to a teacher.  Unless this was a hammy wink-nod at the teacher, I can't image a kid doing this.  

Besides that I loved this book.  

If you like my reviews please check the rest of my blog.  If this book interests you please check it out from your local library or purchase using this Amazon Associates Link

Other Books you might like:

Refugees and Migrants (Children in Our World) 

Children In Our World Poverty And Hunger

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Review: Better Together!

Better Together! by Amy Robach
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My Valentine's Day pick for 2025 is this 2021 story about a charming little blended family.  During a terrible storm the Squirrel mother  and Chipmunk father and their children are forced to flee their homes.  They meet in the middle of a hollow tree where they are forced to shelter in place for several days.  During that time a new family formed.  They eventually learn that they are Better Together!

I love this book because it's the children who sort of fall for each other.  Both groups of kids find new playmates, new foods, and new talents that they didn't know they had.   They are better together, and move in the hollow of the tree.  

What I liked is that the transition isn't easy.  As is typical in these situations they bulk at each other's differences at first.  The new family doesn't eat the same foods, play the same games, or live the same way.  When the grumping becomes too much the parents separate the kids. 

     What I didn't like.  I know the solution, blending the family, was kind of the point of the story. 

 But it seemed a little sudden to me.  When it's time to go back home they discover they old homes are not as full, not as bright, not as interesting without their new friends.   But instead of visiting each other for a while, they make the bold decision to move in with each other permently.  Seems a big leap, but again I know that's the point.  

If you you enjoyed this story as much as I did please check it out from your local library or purchase it using my Amazon Associates Link

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