Lift-the-flap Questions and Answers about Racism

Split into eight sections, this addition to Usborne’s appealing lift-the-flap nonfiction series of books tackles a weighty and yet important issue: racism.

Straightforward and factual in tone, Questions and Answers about Racism begins with flaps that explain succinctly what racism is, what it feels and looks like, and what terms such as ethnicity and heritage mean. Next, it moves onto some ‘why?’ questions, such as why people move to different places, why our skin colours are different and why not everyone understands racism.

Next, it’s a section called Yes or no? where we can learn if you can be racist without realising it, whether it’s racist to ask someone about their clothes, and whether racism happens everywhere. Then we move onto ‘How?’ where we learn how racism began, how people were enslaved and how it can affect families. A double page spread titled ‘What can I do?’ answers questions such as ‘why is learning important?’ and ‘What’s racism got to do with me?’ and the book ends with other important things to know, and some useful anti-racism tips.

Filled with questions and answers, this book probably asks most, if not all, of the types of questions children might ask grown-ups about racism, answering everything clearly and helpfully. This book has been produced in association with and with advice from Justine King and Jake Higgin at Show Racism the Red Card, an anti-racism educational charity, as well as with input from a child psychologist and history professor. It’s a truly excellent resource everyone should read.