All the Colors We Are/Todos los colores de nuestra piel
“Skin color is one of the many ways people are special and different from each other.”
“All the Colors We Are” written by Katie Kissinger is a nonfiction children’s book that uses science to talk about the color of our skin. When we use terms like “black” and “white” we are referring to the social construct of race, which is different from talking about the actual color of our skin. Truly, when talking about skin color, we are all shades of cream, tan, and brown. This story explicitly discusses the shades of skin tones we have, where they come from, and what purpose the melanin in our skin serves.
There is no doubt that talking about race and differences is part of our responsibility in raising and teaching young children and starting early is important. Kids as young as six months old can recognize race-based differences, according to an article by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children are not immune to picking up messages about racial bias, and we have to work to counter it if we expect that to change.
Books are an excellent tool to get those conversations started and to help provide the context and language to do so. If you are like us, your bookshelves are stocked with a variety of stories that represent many people.
Most of those books, however, feature fictional characters and experiences (even if they are based on common real-life experiences). A nonfiction book like “All the Colors We Are” with photographs of real people supports an important connection to our world while balancing the information available to our young readers.
We are grateful for this book because for all the lovely picture books out there, “All the Colors We Are” helps to address questions about skin color in a matter-of-fact and clear way, thus equipping your child with the knowledge they need to help them make sense of the world. It is an essential part of your social justice bookshelf.
Some things to think about…
Teachers:
I have used this story in PreK in a variety of ways. It is perfect to support our efforts to talk about our identities and our families. I have even used it in science when talking about observing the characteristics of living things.
When teaching this topic, don’t shy away from noticing differences because that suggests that differences are not mentionable and therefore inherently negative. Instead, have phrases ready to go that celebrate differences and honors the child’s curiosity. For example, you could say, “Isn’t it wonderful that we are all so different?”
For older students in elementary grades, it is absolutely appropriate to start pointing out and debunking stereotypes and race-based bias. Call it out when you see it. Follow up with open-ended questions, like “How do you feel about that?” and “Why do you think that?”
Discussion questions for all: If you could name your skin color, what would you name it? Is it important to talk about our differences? Why or why not?
Many times, authors will describe skin color in terms of food names (like chocolate, cinnamon, and peach). Have you noticed that? Why do you think that is? What non-food names could we give for shades of brown?
Activity idea: Play a game of Guess Who? Using photographs of friends, family members or students in your class, have children guess the name of the person you are describing. After some practice, reverse the roles and let the children describe the person in the photograph while an adult guesses.
Author/activist Katie Kissinger
