Common Sense Media Review
By Diondra K. Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bold picture book sparks timely conversations on injustice.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
WHY?: A CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE follows the story of a group of young Black and brown kids who individually question unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells in their neighborhood. The kids ask why they hear people shouting, see people marching, and smell fire burning. Adults in the kids' lives engage in conversations with them about why these things are happening around them. It's revealed to the children that when people are tired of being unheard, hurt, and ignored they express their anger in other ways. The adults' honesty prompts the children to pray for faith, love, and peace. Afterward, they're collectively inspired by an idea.
Is It Any Good?
This developmentally sensitive and timely book that can help facilitate conversations between kids and adults about issues related to race, injustice, and anger in society. Why?: A Conversation about Race breaks down the barrier between kids and adults, as it's often a struggle to have conversations about concerning and delicate events related to discrimination and inequality. It will likely also inspire kids to feel more comfortable asking questions.
Shane W. Evans' soulful illustrations helps to engage the reader and draw upon emotions. The characters display diversity and inclusion. The somewhat repetitive nature of the book's vocabulary creates predictability and increases understanding for young readers. This is an all-around valuable read for families of all colors.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Why?: A Conversation about Race discusses race, injustice, and anger. What is something new you learned from the book? What does injustice mean?
The kids in the book ask a lot of questions about upsetting and confusing things they see happening in their neighborhood. Have you seen anything in your neighborhood or on TV that's similar to the events in the book? How did seeing it make you feel?
The kids in the story pray for faith and love, so the world can have peace. What's your prayer or wish for the world?
Book Details
- Author: Taye Diggs
- Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Activism , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
- Publication date: February 1, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 6
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
What to Read Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate