Race Cars by Jenny Devenny (author)

Race Cars is a children’s book about white privilege created to help parents and educators facilitate tough conversations about race, privilege and oppression.

Written by a clinical social worker and child therapist with experience in anti-bias training and edited by a diversity expert, Race Cars tells the story of 2 best friends, a white car and a black car, that have different experiences and face different rules while entering the same race.

Filled with bright, attention-grabbing illustrations, a notes and activities section at the back helps parents, guardians and teachers further discuss these issues with children.

Why is this book important? As early as 6 months old, a baby’s brain can notice race-based differences; children ages 2 to 4 can internalise racial bias and start assigning meaning to race; and 5- to 8-year-olds begin to place value judgments on similarities and differences. By age 12, children have a complete set of stereotypes about every racial, ethnic and religious group in society. Our guidance is especially crucial during this impressionable time.

Race Cars offers a simple, yet powerful, way to introduce these complicated themes to our children and is a valuable addition to classroom and home libraries. ”... a great tool for helping young people understand structural racial inequality-and the importance of challenging it!” – Margaret A. Hagerman, Associate Professor of Sociology, Author of White Kids: Growing Up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America

”... can jumpstart important conversations with children about racism, white privilege, and how to fight racial injustice in their own lives.” – Marianne Celano, New York Times bestselling co-author of Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice