EDEN'S LIGHT

A young Black girl learns how to process news reports of racial violence.

Eden is strong and brave; she considers herself a superhero and wears her cape everywhere. But one evening, as she enters the living room, she sees something disturbing on the television. (Though the text later refers to violence, the TV screen shows only an image of police cars.) Eden’s usual strength vanishes, and she has trouble falling asleep. Unable to articulate why she feels so strange, Eden tells her parents that she’s afraid of the dark, and they let her sleep with them. But the next night, she’s still scared, and nothing comforts her. Finally, Eden’s mom reassures her that it’s OK to feel vulnerable and encourages her to draw strength from an inner light: “When you celebrate who you are and where you come from, your light turns on and no one can take that away from you.” Mom’s soothing talk comprises a good portion of the book; given the difficulty many caregivers experience when discussing racism with young people, this work will make a useful starting point. Southerland’s digitally rendered illustrations alternate between warmer colors and purples and blues, mirroring Eden’s moods and visually representing her light; rounded shapes give the images a sweetness that leavens the harsh subject matter.

A guidebook for youngsters and caregivers navigating painful realities.