An ABC of Equality: Volume 1

by Chana Ginelle Ewing

Paulina Morgan (Illustrator)

A is for Ability, B is for Belief, C is for Class. All people have the right to be treated fairly, no matter who they are, what they look like or where they come from. This bestselling book An ABC of Equality introduces complicated concepts surrounding social justice to the youngest of children.

From A to Z, simple explanations accompanied by engaging artwork teach children about the world we live in and how to navigate our way through it. Each right-hand page includes a brightly decorated letter with the word it stands for and an encouraging slogan. On the left, a colourful illustration and bite-size text sum up the concept. Cheerful people from a range of backgrounds, ethnicities and abilities lead the way through the alphabet. L is for LGBTQIA. Find the words that make you, you.N is for No. No means no.P is for Privilege. Be aware of your advantages.X is for Xenophobia. Ask questions and you'll see there's nothing to be afraid of.

Celebrate your Differences, ask more Questions, share your Kindness and learn to Understand the world.

• ISBN10: 0711262144
• ISBN13: 9780711262140
• Publish Date: 1 September 2020 (first published 3 September 2019)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd
• Imprint: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 56
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

An ABC of Equality is a colorfully illustrated and appealing ABC picture book for kids - babies to older children. Due out 1st Sept 2020 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it'll be 56 pages and will be available in boardbook format.

I really like the concepts and the aim of this little book. The idea of equality, dignity, self expression, worthiness, and beauty for all people no matter who they are is wonderful and worthy and needs to be taught to everyone, the younger the better. The problem is that tying these advanced and sometimes difficult concepts to an ABC book seemed like an odd combination to me.

At any rate, the pictures will appeal to babies and toddlers and the pictures and text will allow adults to at least begin to have simple conversations with their children and youngsters about identity, ethnicity, xenophobia, physical abilities and how to celebrate our differences and not allow them to divide us.

This is an exuberant book and I really think it's important to start to teach our children respect and kindness for everyone. There are -some- parts of the book which struck me as oddly formulated: LGBTQIA for example says "It's okay to be whoever you want to be". Apart from the obvious grammatical ding (whomever), I was somewhat uncomfortable with the idea that identity and lifestyle are choices. Generally though, the detractions are similarly minor and fleeting.

I liked the book and I think it will be a useful tool for introducing important concepts to youngsters.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.