Does it matter that little Tony is black?

[Cristina Chifane]

Due to the recommended age group for this book, I don't think this will be an issue. Most young children don't see it as black and white. I think they just see a superhero doing things to help out around the house. I do think this would be a good idea for the next book though. Toni can have friends of all races, each a different superhero.

What a wonderful idea! I hope the author might see it and think of the possibilities.

[Cristina Chifane]

Everyone can be a superhero for our young ones. Children like them and even wanted to possess the power of a superhero. Skin color does not matter at all.

This is true. Parents are children's first role models.

[Cristina Chifane]

I think it matters. We don't live in a colorblind world and should we? It is important that children of color see themselves in books and it is important that other children learn to relate to people who are different from them. Children start noticing color/race very young so why not set good examples of inclusion at an early age. Also, writers of color have a hard time getting published therefore I think it is brave that she wrote Toni as Black like her children.

But, I don't think it matters that he does not have traditionally superpowers. The books undermine the idea that children of color can't be special because it shows a kid who is a superhero to his family, friend, community and himself. Some of the best superheroes don't have miraculous powers. Toni's mind and heart make him special and Black boys aren't often portrayed as caring and smart. Black Panther is just one kind of role model. It is important to have many different kinds of heroes.

This is such a great answer. Thank you. I hope more people read it and I also hope this is the message the book spreads among its potential target readership.

[Cristina Chifane]

The lesson of this book was not meant to be that black children can only do ordinary things while white children get to have superpowers. In fact, there are no white children pictured with superpowers, nor are any of white children pictured as superheroes. To me, the fact that Tony is black is not meant as something harmful. For children who are black, Toni represents much-needed representation. To children who are not,Toni's skin tone just proves that he is like them and should not be treated any differently. The only way I could see Toni's skin color being negative is if Toni himself did something negative, which is very unlikely considering he is the story's hero. This story was not meant to be a critique of race, but, rather, to make it clear that even ordinary children (regardless of skin color) can be superheroes.

I did not say the book was meant to be a critique of race, I just thought of the potentially negative message it could spread without the author's intention. I am glad the message is perceived as a positive one and it matters in terms of representation.

[DAVID MWALIMU]

Thank You so much for the rhetoric question! It's so disappointing that the tries to undermine black kids.When God created man,He(GOD) didn't call them white or black.He bestowed equal gifts and talents to everyone and therefore black-man,white-man,one people.We are all equal.
Anyway, a good review

[Cristina Chifane]

That thought did not occur to me at all when I read the book. I think this book was written to introduce us to the character Toni. I suspect his superhero powers will be revealed in subsequent series. There has been a huge demand lately for more diverse characters in children's books so I think this book will be well received.

I remember reading some of your reviews of children's books, so I know you're familiar with this genre. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[Cristina Chifane]

Children are colourblind. It is the parent who has to guide them in thinking right. Although I have not read the book, the reviews tell me that that the book actually shows how one can be extraordinary in all their ordinary activities. This is a wonderful lesson for children who are learning to appreciate themselves. Such stories are confidence-boosters.

You can quickly check the book. It basically has 14 verbs describing Toni's likes. Add the illustrations and there's the book.

[Cristina Chifane]

I don’t know why, but I don’t see color. Toni is a boy who is emulating good things for other kids to follow. For me, that’s it. I love his big friendly smile and his willingness to help where he is needed. For the age this was written for, I bet it won’t even matter as prejudice doesn’t usually come from kids unless they are taught it. So, read the book and enjoy the story. It’s not an issue unless it’s blown up into one.

I'm afraid I have to be honest with you. For kids, it would take a blink of an eye to scan this book. Let's be serious here. As I've mentioned previously, there are practically 14 verbs describing random activities and household chores attached to the verb "to like". The illustrations are much too simplistic. Although I also like Toni's big smile, I would have definitely liked the book to be more carefully organized, thought-out and designed.

[Cristina Chifane]

Children don't matter in skin color, but love the superhero powers. Oftentimes, they idolized those superhero they wanted.

As far as I am concerned, I would like my child to see people around them for who they really are. I wouldn't want them to put them on a pedestal or they will later be unable to cope with the disappointment.

[Cristina Chifane]

I say that it does matter that Tony is black because he is now a positive image for other black children to look at and see themselves in. It's like when the first Black Barbie was released. Little girls who weren't white, finally had some representation in this society that wasn't inherently negative. Much like the superheroes of Black Panther, Tony is a positive representation of blackness. It shows people, children really, that just because someone isn't white, it doesn't mean that they're bad. Which I think it really important, especially after growing up in a small town. Ninety-nine percent of my hometown is white, and a lot of them believe that there is nothing good about black people in America, because they've never seen anything different. Books like this one can hopefully change that mindset. Books like this one can help stop powerful tides of racism from surviving.

Thanks for the positive thoughts and message.

[Cristina Chifane]

The role of the Black Tony is critical in shaping the ideologies of all who will interact with the book, especially the children. Besides challenging the stereotype of "white superhero", it asserts that any person can rise to prominence. Won't it be nice if we no longer have to "qualify" the super hero, e.g. "black" Tony, "female" Record-holder, "minority" gold medalist; and just refer to them as Tony, record-holder or gold medalist. This is the foundation of social inclusivity. I look forward to reading books whose superheroes are persons living with physical or mental disabilities, or have conditions that are generally typically stigmatized. Stories have the power to create in us and around us the kind of world we want to see.

I'd also like to see books with black or Asian superheroes written by white people. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I thought I might try this to see if I can do it.

[Cristina Chifane]

I never thought about the reverse, that Toni having no powers means only white superheroes have them. I don't think such a strong message could be written in a children's book, not intentionally at least. I hope no kid will think that.

How do you think we end up depending so much on our social and cultural programming? It happens in time and ever since childhood, we are directly or indirectly taught various things leading us to our future actions and reactions.

[Cristina Chifane]

For me it did not matter although there are guidelines in the internet about how to spot children's book with explicit and latent racism and sexism content. I did review this book but I did not point it out because I think it was not the highlight of the book.
You make a good argument about black superhero doing ordinary things as depicted in the book. Is it the author's intention? I really do hope that the subsequent books have major changes.
You made a point to ponder about! Thanks. I'll be more vigilant next time.

I'm sure this was not the author's intention, but I keep seeing this picture of Toni holding the broom and stamping on books and I know how powerful subliminal messages can be. Many have reacted as I expected and simply dismissed the issue and I am happy they reacted as they did. Still, I also think the author should be more careful about these things next time.

[Cristina Chifane]

I think it will be a good example to small children and help them form impressions of young black children as the superhero too. If we are teaching the new generation the superhero stories, but not drawing too much attention to the fact that he is black, maybe we can do better to raise decent human beings. Hopefully it is only the adults who are noticing that Toni doesn't have the ability to fly and maybe it is reserved for Toni's white neighbor.

The last thing I want is my child noticing that Toni is a black superhero. I want her to notice that he is doing great things and is a help to those around him. If black is the only thing she notices I'm missing the mark on my parenting.

No, it will definitely not be the only thing a kid notices, but in many all white or all Asian communities this will be the first thing the kid notices. That's why the things Toni does are important because he is first of all a child, but also a representative of the black community. For example, I would have preferred to see Toni with a broom in one hand and a book in the other rather than with a broom in his hand and the books at his feet.

[Cristina Chifane]

I am sure most kids would barely recognize the color distinction of the Superhero, as long as the book is interesting some things will be overlooked unintentionally

And do you think this book is interesting enough to catch a child's interest?