Can I Touch Your Hair?

Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship

by Irene Latham; Charles Waters

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Pub Date Jan 01 2018 | Archive Date Mar 01 2018

Lerner Publishing Group | Carolrhoda Books ®

Children's Nonfiction | Poetry & Verse

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Description

Two poets, one white and one black, explore race and childhood in this must-have collection tailored to provoke thought and conversation.
How can Irene and Charles work together on their fifth grade poetry project? They don't know each other . . . and they're not sure they want to. Irene Latham, who is white, and Charles Waters, who is black, use this fictional setup to delve into different experiences of race in a relatable way, exploring such topics as hair, hobbies, and family dinners. Accompanied by artwork from acclaimed illustrators Sean Qualls and Selina Alko (of The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage), this remarkable collaboration invites readers of all ages to join the dialogue by putting their own words to their experiences.

A Note From the Publisher

Galley available for computer and tablet.

Advance Praise

"A fresh approach to exploring interracial communication. . . . A brave and touching portrayal worthy of sharing in classrooms across America."—starred, Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling portrait of two youngsters dancing delicately through a racial minefield."—J. Patrick Lewis, former US Children's Poet Laureate

"These poems explore diversity with refreshing honesty and complexity—and truly capture the personalities and voices of these two rising stars of poetry."—Janet Wong, author and co-creator of The Poetry Friday Anthology series

"A fresh and heartwarming take on bridging the racial divide."—Carole Boston Weatherford, author of Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement

"A fresh approach to exploring interracial communication. . . . A brave and touching portrayal worthy of sharing in classrooms across America."—starred, Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling portrait of two...