When adults struggle to find the words in which to explain the unexplainable incidences of our present lives, picture books are always helpful. This one is no different. Thanks to to the authors, Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazard, and illustrator by Jennifer Zivoin, Something Happened in Our Town tells a very raw story following two families – one White, one Black – as they have hard truth conversations about a police shooting of a black man in their community. Unfortunately, the timing is necessary. This book gets right to the point answering questions children are seeking on the distressing and heartbreaking events happening today. The story doesn’t pacify or dance around the reality of racial injustice faced by the Black Community, and it helps children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives.
Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing race and racism with children, child-friendly definitions, and sample dialogues. Free, downloadable educator materials (including discussion questions) are available at www.apa.org.
Published by Magination Press (2018), Hardcover, 40 pages,
A Little Free Library Action Book Club Selection
National Parenting Product Award Winner (NAPPA)
Available: Barnes & Noble $16.99
Under a Paper Moon 