Something Happened in Our Town
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"Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice" is a picture book written by child psychologists Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, and illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin. Published by the American Psychological Association's Magination Press in 2018, it is designed for young children aged 4-8 (Kindergarten to Grade 3) and aims to facilitate conversations about racial injustice and police brutality. The book follows two families, one White and one Black, as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. It focuses on helping children process difficult events, understand racial bias, and learn to identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. The narrative is presented in an age-appropriate and gentle manner, making it a resource for parents and educators to address sensitive topics. The book includes extensive back matter with discussion guides, child-friendly definitions, and tips for caregivers to support these conversations. While tackling a serious and often challenging subject, the book's approach emphasizes empathy, social awareness, and positive community action. It is a standalone title, though the authors have a series addressing other social issues like gun violence and immigration. The overall content appropriateness is geared towards guided reading with adult supervision to navigate its heavy themes.
Things to Consider
Additional Context
Best For Ages
The book is recommended for children aged 4-8 years old (Kindergarten to Grade 3). This age recommendation is based on the publisher's guidelines and reviews, which emphasize the book's use of gentle, accessible language and its focus on discussion to help young children understand and process complex topics like racial injustice and police actions.
Good to Know
The book is a powerful tool for parents and educators to discuss challenging but critical topics of racial injustice and police brutality with young children. Its strength lies in providing a framework for dialogue, acknowledging children's exposure to such events, and offering guidance for processing complex emotions. However, due to the sensitive nature of its core subject, adult mediation is strongly recommended to support children through the discussions it prompts.
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