What is Privilege?
What is Privilege?’ is an ABC book designed specifically for grown-ups and children to read together. We want to inspire little minds to make big changes! As you read through the book, you will encounter important social issues and societal concepts, such as privilege, bias, marginalized communities, oppression, and many other themes. We’ve taken these grown-up topics and broken them down so they can be easily understood by children! In these pages there are kid-friendly definitions, intriguing illustrations, and prompts/ideas for starting conversations.
The Backstory
The concept for this book came into our minds late Summer in 2020. It started with a meme, as so many things do these days, and a small group of friends. We sarcastically built a set of social justice ABCs off this meme. Very quickly, we both realized this was great information and a spark ignited – we immediately knew we wanted to turn this into a book for our kids.
As we watch our country around us struggle through challenge after challenge, we noticed our own kids listening. As moms to four kids between the two of us, all under five, we realized it was our responsibility to ensure those listening ears are learning. We knew it was on us to explain tough concepts and social structures. And we knew these were not conversations that could wait. This book, this spark, was what we knew we needed – and we thought, if we need it, how many other grown-ups need it too?
As grown-ups, it’s easy to forget just how much of our children’s knowledge comes from what we tell them. Research has shown that the more motivated kids are to learn early in life, the more likely it is they will be successful later. By asking and answering questions, grown-ups play a vital role in a child’s learning by helping the child reconcile new experiences and sending the larger message that curiosity and learning are welcome.
Just because kids are little doesn’t mean they lack the ability to make sense of complicated issues. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “little kids are like sponges.” They are constantly soaking up information from all around them. That makes the younger ages an even better time to start talking about important ideas and issues. The more we normalize social topics and asking questions, the better we can equip our children for the future; the more we can encourage future generations to do better; promote better; be better. Change starts at home…
It sounds like a tough job, we know, but that’s exactly why this book was written! We want to help you and your kids to not only understand important ideas, but we also want to give you the tools to easily discuss them and come up with creative ways to make a positive change!
About The Book
‘What is Privilege?’ is an ABC book designed specifically for grown-ups and children to read together. We want to inspire little minds to make big changes! As you read through the book, you will encounter important social issues and societal concepts. We’ve taken these grown-up topics and broken them down so they can be easily understood by children! In these pages there are kid-friendly definitions, intriguing illustrations, and prompts/ideas for starting conversations. We also include important, relevant information on each topic, as well as supplemental information for further learning.
Each page of this book is meant to be a starting point. Follow the QR codes on each page to connect to our website – where the learning continues! Our website will feature a full library – expanding on every topic covered in our book. You will see vetted suggestions for additional books, articles, videos, podcasts, and other content related to the page you’re reading in the book! We’re very carefully curating this library to include only accurate and educated sources, so you can be sure you’re sharing with your kids the most reliable information.
The Bottom Line
Thank you. First, for reading this far. Second, for trusting us to help you to teach your children to do better. To be better. To make a change in this country for the better. As we have worked our way through writing this book, it has been an endless cycle of excitement, doubt, and possibility: knowing the importance of getting it right, striving to do these serious and adult topics justice while making them “kid-friendly,” and worrying. Worrying if we’re doing too much, not enough, doing it right, or if we’re way off the mark. We have poured so much of ourselves into these pages. We cannot thank you enough for helping us to make this dream a reality.
