I’m drained y’all. As moms, we worry enough about our kids as is! We worry even while they are in our belly and not even in the world yet. It’s draining and upsetting to have to worry about my son and my daughters too simply because of the color of their skin.
I never want to see their smiles leave their face, but with the horrific news we keep getting I know it will. They have no idea about all the evil in this world, but of course, we will have several talks about it as they grow. Talks we shouldn’t have to have with them. I wish I could protect them from it all forever. In the meantime, this book will help us have those tough conversations.
Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way. Affiliate links are in this post. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
A Place Inside of Me by Zetta Elliott
Pages: 32 pages
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart is a book about a Black child and the feelings he has throughout the year after a police shooting in his community. He has so many emotions inside of him from joy to fear that turns into anger then pride and peace.
Our Thoughts on A Place Inside of Me
The news about the police not being charged for killing Breonna Taylor is another reminder that this world does not value Black lives. An officer was charged with wanton endangerment which basically means “a cop shot a black woman and was only charged for the shots missed.” What are we supposed to tell our kids when this happens over and over again?
— ✰ ✰ ✰ (@sublxme888) September 24, 2020
What about our kids and their feelings? Kids have feelings and we need to help them process those feelings about these kinds of things. Hell, we as adults need to help ourselves process things like this when it happens. I know it’s draining to have to explain to your kids that black men AND women are being killed for simply being and how to deal with that pain. After hearing the bad news of yet another Black person being murdered their question is WHY?
Right now, Black parents all around our country are having another version of ‘the talk’. They’re having to explain to their children that despite the broken and inhumane system, that their lives do matter. Tonight, I am praying for each of us and our nation. #BreonnaTaylor
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) September 23, 2020
Breonna Taylor was murdered IN HER OWN HOME! She was asleep and not doing anything wrong and she woke up to death knocking at her door. How do you even begin to have a conversation with your child about something like that?
Click HERE to help get justice for Breonna Taylor and to stop more murders like hers.
A Poem to Heal the Heart
I’m thankful for authors like Zetta Elliott who knows how to use words in an artistic way to explain hurt so deep. I don’t always have the words. I think this poem is beautifully written and all children need to read it. You can really feel the emotions of the child through the words that Zetta Elliott wrote. It really lets you see the world through a child’s eyes.
The illustrations in this book are just as beautiful as the words. Noa Denmon really gives a look inside of our communities and how it looks after something so tragic happens. From Black Lives Matter signs to the TV on the wall in a barbershop displaying the news with the headline “girl shot”. The pictures are very detailed and fill the page in such a meaningful way. The pictures in the book were discussed with my kids just as much as the words were.
So Many Emotions
Zetta takes you through all of the emotions a child has when trying to process his emotions after a police shooting. Each of these emotions can be talking points to have with a child. Each emotion appears bigger in the text which really makes you focus on that emotion as you’re reading. I can feel his sorrow, I can feel his fear, I know that anger and wanting to be free from it all. The kids enjoyed the book and we had a good conversation while reading it. It’s an easy read that flows beautifully, but some of the words may have to be explained to younger kids.
All of the emotions the Black child in this book is feeling is valid. We can definitely relate to each and every emotion. Dealing with our emotions and letting kids know that it’s ok to feel all these things are so important. This book is just EVERYTHING! Whew, it’s a good one y’all.
The poem ends with positive emotions about peace, hope, and loving yourself. I love that! It’s important for us to let our kids know that they matter even if the system says they don’t. We need to find peace and have hope and of course, love our people and ourselves.
Overall the book has really good messages and it definitely is a poem to heal the heart. It’s a must-read for children and adults.
Where Can I Purchase?
So you love our review of this book and want to read it for yourself? Purchase A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart below and other books by Zetta Elliott.
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