ABC of Equality

by Chana Ginelle Ewing

[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.