This book subtly tackles racism, not by presenting the usual "we're all the same inside" message, but by addressing racism as a young child might experience it. Elmo and Angela experience racism in others as assumptions about the habits and tastes of people from other cultures, and in themselves as fear of the unfamiliar. However, when Angela (who is from a homogeneously blue neighbourhood) understands how much fun people have together regardless of their colour, she immediately wants to take part too. At the end of the book, all the monsters welcome a mixed-coloured family (red mother, blue father) as they move to Sesame Street.
Parents will have the opportunity to discuss different aspects of racism with their children, such as assumptions we might have about people from other cultures, ways in which our own neighbourhoods either encourage or discourage diversity, and mixed-race families. Or, they can choose to let the lessons sink in indirectly, and simply enjoy the story of two new friends having new experiences together.
Parents will have the opportunity to discuss different aspects of racism with their children, such as assumptions we might have about people from other cultures, ways in which our own neighbourhoods either encourage or discourage diversity, and mixed-race families. Or, they can choose to let the lessons sink in indirectly, and simply enjoy the story of two new friends having new experiences together.
