GOODNIGHT RACISM

An anti-racist bedtime book for young dreamers.

While Kendi may be best known for his books for adults, this foray into writing for young readers is not his first. Like Antiracist Baby before it, this picture book seeks to engage young readers with the language and ideals of anti-racism through words and pictures that can spark meaningful conversations between adults and children. In perhaps a nod to Margaret Wise Brown’s classic Goodnight Moon, the text begins with a moon shining light over all the children of the world. The moon knows that “when we sleep we dream.” In this context, the dream is one of “a world where all people are safe, / no matter how they look, // how they worship, // or how they love.” Accompanying digital illustrations, which have a soft yet solid cartoon style similar to that of some of Joe Cepeda’s picture-book art, depict children and adults with varied skin tones and include some groups that can be read as queer families. Concluding pages take on a tone of finality that bids goodnight once and for all to unfair rules, cruelty, injustice, inequality, hate, hurt, and racism, making way for a new tomorrow. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An inspiring read to help realize dreams for a better future for all.