It's time to talk about race. Why? In a piece for CNN, Jennifer Harvey, author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America, wrote, "Do our kids know it's not only OK to notice racial differences, but that it's a good and important thing to do? We have to show our kids these are discussions we want to have with them, otherwise white kids learn race talk is taboo."
So, how do you talk to a toddler or young child about this? Begin by filling your bookshelves with non-white voices and imagery, and use the differences—and shared experiences—you see on the page to guide a conversation. Here are some wonderful books to start with.