Over the last two weeks, as it seems like the moment for a national reckoning with over 4 centuries of systemic racism may have finally arrived for America, we at TWWS have been taking a step back to spend some time listening, particularly to Black women. As we go forward, we’re talking amongst the four of us about what we want a humor podcast hosted by four white, middle-aged, middle class, rural women to sound like during this important time.

As we continue our thinking, Kelly and Jenny recorded a quick episode about the children’s books we’ve been reading. Kelly is a librarian, and Jenny is an elementary family engagement worker who has a not-so-secret identity of “The Book Lady” for young children in our small community.  Today, we’re talking about the #weneeddiversebooks movement, how to read from an anti-racist perspective with the youngest children, and titles for babies, big kids, and young adults that portray fully complex Black and African-American characters. We encourage you to check out Ten Nine Eight by Molly Bang; The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis; The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon; and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.