A Coretta Scott King Author Honor winner!
As a little boy grows into a bigger boy, ready to take on the world,
he first must have that very difficult conversation far too familiar to
so many Black and Brown Americans in this gentle and ultimately hopeful
picture book.
Jay's most favorite things are hanging out with his pals, getting kisses
from Grandma, riding in his dad's cool car, and getting measured by his
mom with pencil marks on the wall. But as those height marks inch
upward, Grandpa warns Jay about being in too big a group with his
friends, Grandma worries others won't see him as quite so cute now that
he's older, and Dad has to tell Jay how to act if the police ever pull
them over.
And Jay just wants to be a kid.
All Black and Brown kids get The Talk--the talk that could mean the
difference between life and death in a racist world. Told in an
age-appropriate fashion, with a perfect pause for parents to insert
their own discussions with their children to accompany prompting
illustrations, The Talk is a gently honest and sensitive starting
point for this far-too-necessary conversation, for Black children, Brown
children, and for ALL children. Because you can't make change without
knowing what needs changing.