Awards

• Winner of Skipping Stones Honor Award 2024 (United States)

Overview

Based on a collective 40+ years of peer-reviewed research from two leading experts on race, and illustrated with sweet, goofy illustrations kids will love,It's Just Skin, Silly!The co-authors of the book, Dr. Jablonski and Dr. McGee, are highly specialized experts in their fields. This book combines their two research areas-how evolutionary adaptations created a vast array of human skin colors, and how the illusory concept of ""race"" has been weaponized as a means for disempowerment and classification-to create a children's book intended to stop mythmaking about skin color early, and provide children with the information they need to challenge misinformation aboutracein their daily lives. Celebrated historian and literary critic Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has provided a foreword and a glowing endorsement of the book. The emotional appeal of ""loving the skin you're in"" is highly saturated in the children's book industry at the moment, and while this message is imperative, there is a major deficiency in early childhood education and in the publishing industry aboutwhywe're in the skin we're in (What even is skin? Why do we have it? Why do we all have different colored skin anyways?).It's Just Skin, Silly!is distinct in addressing the actual science behind skin and skin color, and not just the social and cultural associations we have with race, making it a must-have not just for parents, but also for classrooms and public libraries. With an interactive reading experience-where readers are instructed to ask genderless narrator Epi questions, point out various skin colors, and raise their hands at certain parts of the story-and including a word bank and several info boxes throughout giving curious readers special insights to concepts like climate, vitamins, and hair,It's Just Skin, Silly!is crafted using both Dr. Jablonski and Dr. McGee's tested pedagogical methods for creating engaging and impactful scientific curriculum for children. The book includes an illustrated educational essay in the back toassist adults in discussing the book with children and teaching it in the classroom. We will also be releasing a companion curriculum on the Catalyst Press website available for all parents, librarians and educators to use free of charge. We expect this to be one of our biggest titles yet, because nothing like it exists on the market (a strictly scientific look at skin color for very young audiences), but it's closely enough related to anti-racism, BLM, and Black & Brown kid self-love titles to be included in that category and marketed to that audience. It will bridge the trade and academic markets, and with the authors very well connected in the popular science and social justice spaces, we expect big names to blurb the book and publicize it on social media. Besides the traditional literary, school & library (we intend to coordinate a school tour for the authors), and trade channels for publicity, we'll also be reaching out to citizen science organizations and seeking special sales at medical facilities, science museums, and children's book subscription boxes.

Full Product Details

9781733547413

Table of Contents

Reviews

A sometimes humorous, sometimes serious book to help combat racism for tots, teens, and in-betweens... Full of fun and important facts about the organ that's got us covered, and how it came to be the way it is! -- Kathy Stinson, The Bare Naked Book

"""[A]n irresistibly brilliant, pitch-perfect page-turner that should be a must-read in every Pre-K and Elementary School in our country."" — Henry Louis Gates Jr., from the foreword""[A] friendly and accessible introduction to the evolution of skin color. Anthropologist Nina Jablonski and historian Holly McGee draw upon their more than 40 years of combined research experience to show readers what skin is, what it does, and how humans developed all sorts of different skin tones. [...] South African Illustrator Karen Vermeulen does an admirable job rendering 'Skin' as an approachable and jaunty little book character.” — World Kid Lit ""Jablonski and McGee use [an] accessible voice to present the scientific basics with approachable vocabulary, even when talking about big ideas, such as human evolution, [and] a long section at the end provides similar information at a slightly higher level [...] Caregivers, teachers, and older independent readers are sure to use this part of the book to enhance what they’ve already learned. A solid, humorous exploration into the skin—and why color biases are just silly."" — Kirkus Reviews ""The narrator of this extremely clever book is Epi Dermis, but most of Epi’s friends know Epi as “Skin.” Epi is here to set the record straight about skin color, its origins, how and why there are so many varieties, and to clarify that skin color doesn’t make a bit of difference in a person’s intelligence or anything else. Playful and informative, learn how skin is the hardest working organ a body has, why there is hair on our skin, why skin sweats, why there are so many colors of skin, and so much more. An important book that helps to dispel false narratives about race, It’s Just Skin, Silly! is essential reading.” — Books to Borrow...Books to Buy “It’s Just Skin, Silly! is a powerful story that accurately explains the different colors of skin and helps to dismiss the false information people have held on to about racial differences. [...] [E]ssential reading."" —Reading Eagle ""It’s Just Skin, Silly! introduces children to the biological wonder of skin and skin color without glossing over the reality of racism. With the help of a sweet and silly hero named Epi Dermis, the book carefully and thoroughly answers just about any question a small child might have about skin. The perfect read for the child who won’t (and shouldn’t) stop asking, 'why?'."" — Tyler Feder, Bodies Are Cool ""A sometimes humorous, sometimes serious book to help combat racism for tots, teens, and in-betweens... Full of fun and important facts about the organ that’s got us covered, and how it came to be the way it is!"" — Kathy Stinson, The Bare Naked Book ""Charming and informative, this book demystifies the science of the skin we are in. A joy to read!"" — Dominic Walliman, Professor Astro Cat creator ""Why are we different colours? Grownups are often stumped when kids ask such questions and this book provides the answers in a fun and engaging way. With sweet illustrations and a healthy dose of humour, It’s Just Skin, Silly! can spark important discussions around identity, biology and, most of all, our shared humanity."" —Uju Asika, author of Bringing Up Race and A World for Me and You “Drs. Jablonski and McGee write a wonderful book that combines the power of biology along with justice-oriented conversations for children. This book is informative and entertaining while also providing a space for children to have important conversations around race.” —Dr. Lynnette Mawhinney, Professor of Urban Education, author of Lulu the One and Only ""A very meaningful book... The playful narrative is engaging and thought-provoking; the 'silliness' highlights the dark absurdity that this organ that we all have, are covered by and live with, has played such a major role, often negatively, in human relationships and history. A much-needed, remarkable, and hopeful book!"" — Sandhya Prabhat, illustrator, I Am Brown “It’s Just Skin Silly! should absolutely be in every single pre-school and elementary classroom! I adore the playful, diverse illustrations while tackling the serious issue of racism. Easy to read yet thoughtfully written. Readers young and old will walk away more knowledgeable on the “Real” truths about skin!” — LaTashia Perry, creator of Skin Like Mine and Hair Like Mine ""In a world where curiosity knows no bounds, children’s literature continues to evolve, offering young minds the chance to explore complex topics in engaging and accessible ways. One such gem in this realm is the illustrated children’s book titled It’s Just Skin, Silly! This enlightening book delves into the science of skin colour, debunking myths and fostering a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. [...] In a world that needs open dialogue and understanding more than ever, It’s Just Skin, Silly! shines as a beacon of knowledge and compassion."" — Cape Town Etc."

[A]n irresistibly brilliant, pitch-perfect page-turner that should be a must-read in every Pre-K and Elementary School in our country. - Henry Louis Gates Jr., from the foreword It's Just Skin, Silly! introduces children to the biological wonder of skin and skin color without glossing over the reality of racism. With the help of a sweet and silly hero named Epi Dermis, the book carefully and thoroughly answers just about any question a small child might have about skin. The perfect read for the child who won't (and shouldn't) stop asking, 'why?'. - Tyler Feder, Bodies Are Cool A sometimes humorous, sometimes serious book to help combat racism for tots, teens, and in-betweens... Full of fun and important facts about the organ that's got us covered, and how it came to be the way it is! - Kathy Stinson, The Bare Naked Book Charming and informative, this book demystifies the science of the skin we are in. A joy to read! - Dominic Walliman, Professor Astro Cat creator Why are we different colours? Grownups are often stumped when kids ask such questions and this book provides the answers in a fun and engaging way. With sweet illustrations and a healthy dose of humour, It's Just Skin, Silly! can spark important discussions around identity, biology and, most of all, our shared humanity. -Uju Asika, author of Bringing Up Race and A World for Me and You Drs. Jablonski and McGee write a wonderful book that combines the power of biology along with justice-oriented conversations for children. This book is informative and entertaining while also providing a space for children to have important conversations around race. -Dr. Lynnette Mawhinney, Professor of Urban Education, author of Lulu the One and Only A very meaningful book... The playful narrative is engaging and thought-provoking; the 'silliness' highlights the dark absurdity that this organ that we all have, are covered by and live with, has played such a major role, often negatively, in human relationships and history. A much-needed, remarkable, and hopeful book! - Sandhya Prabhat, illustrator, I Am Brown

Author Information

Dr. Nina Jablonski is an anthropologist and paleobiologist whose research on the evolution of skin color has been published in many scholarly journals including Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Nature, and American Psychologist. She is the author of several books, includingLiving Color: The Biological and Social Meaning of Skin ColorandSkin: A Natural History. She has also been a featured TED Talk speaker, and has appeared as a guest on shows such as The Colbert Report and Bill Nye's Science Rules! podcast. Dr. Jablonski has extensive experience in the development of science-related youth curriculum from grades K-12. Dr. Holly Y. McGeeis a historian at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. McGee's research, teaching, and publishing in the fields of African American History, comparative black politics, and South African history provide critical insight into historical narratives regarding the social creation of ""race"" and subsequent proliferation of racism in modern society. She is the author of ""One Day We Are Going Home"": The Long Exile of Elizabeth Mafeking, and founder ofthe nonprofit National Black Teachers Association. Karen Vermeulen is an artist, illustrator and teacher living in Cape Town, South Africa. Her work is happy, uplifting and quirky. When she is not busy with some creative project, she is probably playing with her cat, Sir Henry. You can find more of her work atwww.karenvermeulen.com. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder, and the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University.Professor Gates's most recent books areStony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim CrowandThe Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is OurSong. He has also produced and hosted more than 20 documentary films, most recentlyThe Black Churchon PBS andBlack Art: In the Absence of Lightfor HBO.Finding Your Roots, his groundbreaking genealogy and genetics series, is now in its eighth season on PBS.

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