The Skin You Live In

 "The skin you laugh in; the skin you cry in; the skin that you look to the sky and and ask, why in." 

This quotes gives an example of the rhyming scheme that will entertain and engage children while still teaching a very strong message. 

The Skin You Live In is a multicultural nonfiction story written by Michael Taylor and illustrated by David Lee Csicsko. This book is intended for new young readers between the ages of 4 to 6. It shows the relationship that people can have no matter what the color of their skin is and what culture they are from. This a a very rhymed filled text and it helps children explore all the diverse skin colors of people while promoting different actives for children from different cultures. Some actives being hugging, playing tag, catching different types of insects, jumping in puddles, and sharing different foods. Throughout the book you will see a various amount of different skin colors, ranging from different shades of black to white. I think its good for children to learn about this type of thing earlier on because they will understand that everyone is a person and has feelings. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What was your favorite thing about this book?
2. how does this book make you feel about other children cultures that are different from your own?
3. How do you think you can make a difference is someone else life? 
4. How you ever had a conflict with someone who practiced a different culture than your own?

This picture here shows the different types of skin colors the author and illustrated present in the book. All of the kids are getting along and have happy smiles on their faces. When children at the young age learn that everyone is equal it has a huge impact on their outlook of life. The rhyming keeps the children interested and the book promotes self esteem in every child.

Classroom Activity:

Children could be put into small groups and they would all be from different cultures. (if possible). They will chose a topic, for example, music. And each student would explain their cultures music type or favorites. Then at the end each student will present another students culture. 

If you like this kind of book check out more books that are similar:

• The Color of Us by Karen Katz
• Whose Knees are Those by Jabari Asim 
• Whoever You Are by Merri Fox

Tyler, Michael, and David Lee Csicsko. The Skin You Live In. Chicago Children's Museum, 2016.