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First Conversations Boxed Set #1

3 Books on RACE, GENDER, and CONSENT

Boxed Set (Hardcover)
$46.97 US
9-1/2"W x 10-1/2"H | 98 oz | 1 per carton
On sale Oct 27, 2026 | 120 Pages | 9780593891049
Age 2-5 years | Up to Kindergarten

Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and other important topics should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.

This boxed set of three First Conversations books is perfect for families and teachers looking for topic-driven books that offer clear, concrete language and compelling imagery to introduce the concepts of race, gender, and consent.

While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about tough issues from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see but also increases self-awareness and self-esteem, allowing them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice. These titles offer a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the back matter in each book offers additional resources and ideas for extending discussions.

Includes three hardcover picture books:
  • Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race
  • Being You: A First Conversation About Gender
  • Yes! No!: A First Conversation About Consent
© Children’s Aid Early Childhood
Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison (she/her) is a political educator and a lifelong student of radical Black feminism. She earned her PhD in Social Policy from Brandeis University. As a scholar-activist, her approach to research and practice is guided by the Sociopolitical Ecology of Development, a theoretical framework that she developed as a part of her dissertation. Megan has served on the boards of the National Association for the Education for Young Children and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice. With Jessica Ralli, she co-authors First Conversations–an award-winning series of anti-bias books for young children and their grown-ups. View titles by Megan Madison
Jessica Ralli is the Early Literacy Programs Coordinator at Brooklyn Public Library where she develops & manages grant-funded programming including Books Unbanned Storytimes. She has an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has taught in museums, schools, and libraries. Jessica is a contributor to School Library Journal, and in 2020, she received the Library Journal Movers and Shakers Award for her advocacy work in libraries. Jessica is currently co-authoring the award-winning First Conversations series with Megan Madison, published by RISE X Penguin Workshop. View titles by Jessica Ralli
Isabel Roxas is an author/illustrator, micro-publisher, ceramicist, and avid reader. She was born in Manila, Philippines, and was raised on luscious mangoes, old wives' tales, and monsoon moons. She now works in the backroom of an art gallery in Manhattan where she writes and illustrates stories, designs books, and creates small objects in clay and resin. Her illustrator credits include picture books Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (2018 Newbery medal winner), Let Me Finish! by Minh Lê (named an NPR Best Book of 2016) and Day at the Market by May Tobias-Papa (2010 winner of the Philippine National Book Award).

Isabel is the founder of Little Big Time Press, where she publishes artist books and zines for children. She is also a frequent contributor to Babybug and Ladybug Magazine. Her work has been recognized by American Illustration, HOW Magazine, and 3x3 Magazine of Contemporary Illustration. Her debut comic book for young readers, The Adventures of Team Pom: SQUID HAPPENS, will publish in June 2021.

Follow her on Twitter @studioroxas and Instagram @studioroxas. View titles by Isabel Roxas

About

Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and other important topics should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.

This boxed set of three First Conversations books is perfect for families and teachers looking for topic-driven books that offer clear, concrete language and compelling imagery to introduce the concepts of race, gender, and consent.

While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about tough issues from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see but also increases self-awareness and self-esteem, allowing them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice. These titles offer a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the back matter in each book offers additional resources and ideas for extending discussions.

Includes three hardcover picture books:
  • Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race
  • Being You: A First Conversation About Gender
  • Yes! No!: A First Conversation About Consent

Author

© Children’s Aid Early Childhood
Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison (she/her) is a political educator and a lifelong student of radical Black feminism. She earned her PhD in Social Policy from Brandeis University. As a scholar-activist, her approach to research and practice is guided by the Sociopolitical Ecology of Development, a theoretical framework that she developed as a part of her dissertation. Megan has served on the boards of the National Association for the Education for Young Children and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice. With Jessica Ralli, she co-authors First Conversations–an award-winning series of anti-bias books for young children and their grown-ups. View titles by Megan Madison
Jessica Ralli is the Early Literacy Programs Coordinator at Brooklyn Public Library where she develops & manages grant-funded programming including Books Unbanned Storytimes. She has an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has taught in museums, schools, and libraries. Jessica is a contributor to School Library Journal, and in 2020, she received the Library Journal Movers and Shakers Award for her advocacy work in libraries. Jessica is currently co-authoring the award-winning First Conversations series with Megan Madison, published by RISE X Penguin Workshop. View titles by Jessica Ralli
Isabel Roxas is an author/illustrator, micro-publisher, ceramicist, and avid reader. She was born in Manila, Philippines, and was raised on luscious mangoes, old wives' tales, and monsoon moons. She now works in the backroom of an art gallery in Manhattan where she writes and illustrates stories, designs books, and creates small objects in clay and resin. Her illustrator credits include picture books Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (2018 Newbery medal winner), Let Me Finish! by Minh Lê (named an NPR Best Book of 2016) and Day at the Market by May Tobias-Papa (2010 winner of the Philippine National Book Award).

Isabel is the founder of Little Big Time Press, where she publishes artist books and zines for children. She is also a frequent contributor to Babybug and Ladybug Magazine. Her work has been recognized by American Illustration, HOW Magazine, and 3x3 Magazine of Contemporary Illustration. Her debut comic book for young readers, The Adventures of Team Pom: SQUID HAPPENS, will publish in June 2021.

Follow her on Twitter @studioroxas and Instagram @studioroxas. View titles by Isabel Roxas