This emotional and honest picture book explores a racist encounter
from the perspective of a young Black boy, while offering a message of
unconditional love and acceptance to soothe the pain of blind
prejudice.
In this story based on the author's childhood, a young Black boy
confronts his first experience of overt racism. In recounting the events
to his grandfather, the young narrator asks: "How can she hate me when
she doesn't know me?" Grandpa offers wisdom and encouragement to the
child, reminding him that another person's hate does not change the fact
that he is loved and that he matters. While offering an unflinching look
at the emotional impact of the encounter, Tyler Merritt presents a
message of love and acceptance that will resonate with young readers and
offer a starting point for conversations about racial equality between
parent or caregiver and child.