Antiracist Baby

May 25, 2020
National Book Award winner Kendi addresses youngest readers in this board book introduction to combatting racism, which outlines nine steps for rearing accountable kids. Each spread begins with a numbered rule, then follows with a rhyming explanation. Starting with “Open your eyes to all skin colors” and ending with “Believe we shall overcome racism,” Kendi provides broadly actionable pointers to dispel societal misconceptions: “Point at policies as the problem, not people./ Some people get more, while others get less.../ because policies don’t always grant equal access.” Boldly outlined, inclusive illustrations by Lukashevsky complement the text by showing a world populated by people of various skin tones, sizes, identities and orientations, religions, and abilities. Though the advanced diction (“there’s no neutrality”) gears the volume more toward caretakers than infants themselves, the book will nonetheless serve as a mindful companion for families striving together toward a more equitable future: “Antiracist Baby is bred, not born./ Antiracist Baby is raised/ to make society transform.” Ages up to 3.