What's Your Thoughts?
Denene of MyBrownBaby has written a blog post on Everybody Should Read Black Children's Books. The post is a good one and if you have a moment, head here to read it.
The post is close to me for a few reasons. One of them being that my twin sister and I have written a children's book about a set of Black twin girls who get themselves in plenty of trouble while doing their best to reach out and help someone. The book was written not just for Black kids to read but for kids of all nationalities. There are characters in the book who introduce other cultures as well.
After reading some of the comments posted on the forum in parenting.com, I was shocked to see how some people are against their children reading books with a Black character as the central character. Not only that, but a few of them feel strongly against their kids receiving Black dolls or books about Black children as gifts.
For those of you that are not Black or do not have a child that is Black, would you be offended if your child received a gift that featured a Black character?
How would you feel if your child was given the choice to choose a Barbie or other doll and chose one that is Black? Would you honestly steer your child into choosing one that is his/her ethnicity instead?
Honestly, I was very excited about the prospects of getting the book published but after reading some of the comments on the forum in parenting.com, I'm wondering if all of the creativity and hard work will be in vain.
Would you buy my book for your kids to read knowing that the main characters are Black?
Your honest thoughts, please.
The post is close to me for a few reasons. One of them being that my twin sister and I have written a children's book about a set of Black twin girls who get themselves in plenty of trouble while doing their best to reach out and help someone. The book was written not just for Black kids to read but for kids of all nationalities. There are characters in the book who introduce other cultures as well.
After reading some of the comments posted on the forum in parenting.com, I was shocked to see how some people are against their children reading books with a Black character as the central character. Not only that, but a few of them feel strongly against their kids receiving Black dolls or books about Black children as gifts.
For those of you that are not Black or do not have a child that is Black, would you be offended if your child received a gift that featured a Black character?
How would you feel if your child was given the choice to choose a Barbie or other doll and chose one that is Black? Would you honestly steer your child into choosing one that is his/her ethnicity instead?
Honestly, I was very excited about the prospects of getting the book published but after reading some of the comments on the forum in parenting.com, I'm wondering if all of the creativity and hard work will be in vain.
Would you buy my book for your kids to read knowing that the main characters are Black?
Your honest thoughts, please.
Comments
Karen G.
When Heather was little, her favorite doll was a black doll. She carried it all over with her and it had to sleep with her every night. I've got it packed away with a few other things that were so important to her in her childhood.
When the DH and I first married, he came with 5 children, the youngest had just turned 3. We had a lovely lady from the Older Persons Action Group come to our home every day to help with the children while I was at work. She was our Black Gramdma!! When the 3 year old started going to nursery and pre-school and even into Kindergarden when she drew our family we were all drawn as a Black family. We were Black for many years. I have one of those portraits framed. Our Black Grandma stayed with us until the youngest was in school full time. It was a wonderful time. xoxo
God bless and have a great week!!!
She picks what she likes, I don't influence her one way or the other.
Deb
;-)
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
45 years ago a lady gave me a black doll. My mother told me it was a neighbor. I don't remember.
The doll was my favorite. When you tipped her back her eyes closed and she made a sound like a baby saying "Waaa." I still have her sitting on the bed in the guest room and she makes me smile everytime I look at her.
I am anxious to read your book.
I remember my daughter once wanted a doll that was the latest craze. They didn't have any left but the black ones and we bought it for her anyway. She had no problem with the doll, but other kids did. When they would put all the dolls together, the other girls didn't want to play with the black one. My daughter didn't understand that and neither did I. What was with that??! Where did they learn that? Why did they view her as different? I always remember that.
The mere fact that people react negatively to people who aren't just like them sadly does not surprise me. But it's pathetic.
I would absolutely buy your book!
I will email you soon asking what is your address, since you won a copy of "Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency" today, by commenting on my blog. Hey, the heroine of this book is a fabulous black lady.