Momma, Did You Hear the News? Paperback

I bought this book without reading the reviews (big mistake) the book is pro-cop and tell children ‘if you do everything right you’ll be ok and won’t get killed by the police’ which we all know is a load of crap. It’s also very pro-cop saying they ‘pray for the boys in blue’ if you are looking for a book about racism in America today look away. I literally tossed this book in the trash. I would never show this book to children as it shows not being shot by police is easy if you follow their steps... ughhhh.

This is the review I wish I didn’t have to write. What kind of world do we live in where parents have to have conversations about how to stay alive when you get pulled over by the police? That’s rhetorical- I know exactly what kind of world we live in and I suspect if you’re even considering this book for your home or school or public library collection, you know too. I’m going to use positive language to describe this book, but I want to be clear that the subject is not something positive and we need to be working on tearing down and rebuilding the world that requires that this book be written in the first place.Written to help BIPOC families have “The Talk” with their children about protocols for when they encounter law enforcement, the book uses rhyming text and a snappy, easy to remember acronym to give kids the skills they need to survive those encounters. It is critical that kids practice these skills so they are second nature if they are pulled over.The terrible thing is, the book says these are things you need to do as a Black person to come home alive if stopped by the police and yet, we know that doing everything “right” still might not save you. I think the general sense of firmness and authority from the parents is reassuring for children. I am all for honesty, but at some point being overly honest may not serve them, especially if they’re very young.I think this book, and books like it, are jumping off points for families rather than the whole conversation. Start here or incorporate this into what you’ve already talked about. Case in point, the book hints at the cops not being the heroes a lot of media and white people make them out to be. There are two pages that suggests the idea of “bad apple” cops. While I personally want to see more ACAB picture books, I recognize that that is not really the message or point here. You can skip those pages if that is not the message you want to give your kids. There aren’t a ton of these books out there so I think it’s fine to use what is helpful here and skip what is not.While I believe that all books are for all people, you never know what you might connect with, this one is clearly for Black families to share. I have read this with my white daughter, but we had a slightly different discussion around encounters with police. Moving in more radical spaces I know we’re surveilled and I know there’s a higher likelihood that my kids will encounter law enforcement in a more adversarial situation, so they also need to know how to interact. My point here isn’t to take the focus off Black families who need this conversation starter or to make a book for Black people about me and my white family, but it’s to demonstrate that there can be a wider audience for this work. All libraries with families of color should have this available as a resource. Families should have it on their shelves if they need help having this conversation or if they want something their kids can pick up and read on their own to reinforce any conversations they have had. The acronym ALIVE and its catchy phrase to go with it may be really helpful in getting kids to remember what they should do when they have contact with law enforcement.

Thank you for writing this book. I’m a white mom of three black sons and it’s been extremely helpful in having “the talk” with them.

I am thankful for the insight of this mom and strong woman. It is a powerful balance of discussing the realities in our community and the need change. I share this book to amplify the voice of WOC I respect who lives this reality each day with her children.

Momma, Did You Hear the News?  Excellent!! Provides an avenue for parents to  engage in conversation and dialogue with their sons, on the subject of police encounters. The acronym ALIVE is a catchy phrase of important Lessons, which are to be remembered and adhered to if stopped by the police.  Easy reading with remarkable illustrations. A must have for African American parents with young sons.