“Why Do We Have Different Skins Anyway?”: Exploring Race in Literature with Preschool Children

In this article, the author argues that young children are capable of and competent in discussing topics of race. Sharing picture books with racial narratives with young children is a way to help them reflect, value, and empathize with the diverse nature of society. A picture book by Jacqueline Woodson, The Other Side, is explored more deeply with a small group of preschool children. The analysis of the small-group discussion suggests that engaging in multiple interactive and open-ended read-alouds of the same text, alongside reflective teaching, can encourage the validation and valuation of People of Color as well as children’s own racial identities; critical questions and active engagement in topics of race, skin color, and tone; and engaged citizens who can ask questions and participate in dialog about social and cultural differences.