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Sign up todayThe Talk
This audiobook uses AI narration.
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Learn moreThis powerful collection of short stories, essays, and poems is a call-to-action that invites all families to be anti-racist and advocates for change.
Thirty diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators--including Renee Watson (Piecing Me Together), Grace Lin (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon), Meg Medina (Merci Suarez Changes Gears), and Adam Gidwitz (The Inquisitor's Tale)--engage young people in frank discussions about racism, identity and self-esteem. Featuring stories filled with love, acceptance, truth, peace, and an assurance that there can be hope for a better tomorrow, The Talk is an inspiring anthology and must-have resource published in partnership with Just Us Books, a black-owned children's publishing company that's been in operation for over 30 years. Just Us Books continues its mission grounded in the same belief that helped launch the company: Good books make a difference.
So, let's talk.
Featured contributors: Selina Alko, Tracey Baptiste, Derrick Barnes, Natacha Bustos, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Raúl Colón, Adam Gidwitz, Nikki Grimes, Rudy Gutierrez, April Harrison, Wade Hudson, Gordon C. James, Minh Lê, E. B. Lewis, Grace Lin, Torrey Maldonado, Meg Medina, Christopher Myers, Daniel Nayeri, Zeke Peña, Peter H. Reynolds, Erin K. Robinson, Traci Sorell, Shadra Strickland, Don Tate, MaryBeth Timothy, Duncan Tonatiuh, Renée Watson, Valerie Wilson Wesley, Sharon Dennis Wyeth
Features original music by Curtis Hudson.
This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF of sources and notes from the authors.
"The go-to book for talking to kids about race and privilege. Thoughtful. Thought-provoking. A must-read for every family." -Ellen Oh, editor of Flying Lessons & Other Stories and cofounder of We Need Diverse Books
"The ingredients are all here. May this magnificent collection inspire us to move from dialogue to deep action." -Kirkus, Starred Review
Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson are the co-founders of Just Us Books, Inc. For over thirty years they have published, written, and collaborated on books that reflect the diversity of Black history, heritage, and experiences.
@hudsonwade
@diversitymom_ch
Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson are the co-founders of Just Us Books, Inc. For over thirty years they have published, written, and collaborated on books that reflect the diversity of Black history, heritage, and experiences.
@hudsonwade
@diversitymom_ch
Reviews
A NEW YORK TIMES Best Children's Book of the YearAn NPR Best Book of the Year
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
Praise for The Talk:
“The essays, stories, poems and letters . . . make plain that the hard conversations we all need to have about race are part of a broad reckoning with our nation’s history. The book’s black-and-white images project love and support.” —The New York Times
“This star-studded collection of #ownvoices authors calls readers in for necessary reminders in service of everyday actions that we must pursue to cultivate real change.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Though readers of color may find a number of these entries far too familiar, there is striking versatility in the approaches, cultures, and experiences of the authors that will compel readers of all backgrounds to continue forward.” —Booklist, starred review
“Validating for readers already familiar with these kinds of talks and importantly enlightening for those to whom the ideas of such restrictions are new.” —The Bulletin, starred review
“Through contributors’ personal experiences with systemic issues, readers will recognize the necessity of having open dialogue with loved ones. A compelling call to action.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A well-conceived anthology that provides much-needed enlightenment and opportunity for both reflection and discussion.” —The Horn Book
“A heartfelt collection that speaks to the multifaceted and nuanced struggles of marginalized people.” —School Library Journal
“This collection should speak to any child or adult—especially BIPOC children and adults—who has been affected by systemic racism and inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. . . . An anthology filled with abiding inspirational messages of self-love and love for others.” —Shelf Awareness Expand reviews