Written & Illustrated by:
Tiffany Jewell & Aurélia Durand
For ages: MG & Up
Language: English
Topics Covered:
- Historical Figures
- Sequels
- Activism
- Environmental Activism
- Trailblazers
- Anti-Racism
- Journal
Summary: Y’all, this book is FINALLY out in the world tomorrow. I’ve been impatiently awaiting it’s release for months, as soon as I heard it was being published. Anti-Racism is a lifelong journey, and this journal filled with guiding questions is perfect for readers who feel compelled to work, but haven’t fully crystallized their feelings and passions yet.
The journal references the companion book, but not so much that these questions can’t be answered without it (despite my obvious opinion that every single human needs both of these books). With over 50 activities to reflect and plan for, it paves the way for a generation of better humans who think critically, advocate for others, and focuses on what the individual finds most important about history and activism.
Some pages in particular that I find brilliant and paramount for anyone’s ABAR journey have a page to create one’s own timeline of resistance. In the beginning of the book, one of the first activities is to learn more about the colonized land the reader resides on, a crucial bit of knowledge and mindset shift for us all to ensure we focus on. There are places to plan responses when we hear racist statements, and to create our own anti-racist toolbox.
What is abundantly clear (besides Tiffany and Aurélia’s sheer brilliance) is that kindness does not solve racism, and this is LIFELONG work. When we know better, we *should* do better. Books like this, in a better late than never mindset, we can assist younger generations to understand the criticalness of working towards an anti-racist society and dismantling the oppressive systems of power that have functioned for far too long (and in fact were engineered from the beginning to do just that).
This book was a brilliant surprise from Quarto, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be able to review it. All opinions are my own!
Tiffany Jewell
Tiffany Jewell is a Black biracial writer, antiracist educator and consultant, and mama. She spends her time baking bread and macarons, building LEGOS, watching British detective shows, and dreaming up how she can dismantle white supremacy. Tiffany currently resides on the unceded traditional land of the Pocumtuc and the Nipmuck with her two young activists, her partner, and a turtle she’s had since she was nine years old. She is in her 15th year as a Montessori educator and nearing two decades of work in schools with young folks, families, and educators. This Book Is Anti-Racist is her first book for children and young adults (and definitely not the last). Follow her on social media @tiffanymjewell.
Aurélia Durand
Aurélia Durand’s art is a vivid celebration of diversity. She dedicates her artistic voice in making representation matters. Aurélia represents Afro-descendants as joyful, proud, and empowered — a united community whose destinies are intertwined. These colorful personalities present the unified voice of a global community whose hopes, dreams, and desires present a future inclusive of all. Aurélia has made a wild variety of creations with augmented reality, animations, paintings, murals, and illustrations.She has been working with different clients such as Adobe, Facebook, GIPHY, DIPSEA, Instagram, Tinder, Apple music, Standford University, QuartoKids, Refinery 29, Califia farms, ESPN, and more.Recently she illustrated the book “This book is anti-racist ” through the publisher “Quarto kids” printed for the US, Canada, and the UK.Take a look at her Instagram: www.instagram.com/4ur3lia/