Book Review – The Ace Compeers

Concepts like skin color, melanin and colorism are difficult for children to understand. In a world where we are still struggling as adults to grasp the importance of these conversations, it is critical to help children understand early how we can only build acceptance by understanding ourselves and those around us.

The Ace Compeers does a great job of breaking down the science behind our bodies and how we are all different and yet similar.

Through engaging conversations and wonderful illustrations, we see a group children understand the science behind our bodies. What is melanin and how it impacts our skin tone an color.

My children 8 and 11, enjoyed the book and learned a lot of facts that they were previously unaware of. They specially enjoyed the humor sprinkled through out the book. The brain breaks and discussion points allowed us to introspect as we read. I am a big fan of conversation starters within non fiction books.

A huge point needs to be made about representation though. This book is by far one of the only books that I have come across that does a phenomenal job of representing different cultures and ethnecities. My children saw so many characters that they could relate to their friends or classmates. The subtle cultural nuances shown are also a great point of consideration.

A great reading resource for children who enjoy non fiction books and are early readers, this is book would make a great addition to any multicultural library for children 9 and above. With the many facts and lessons packed in this informative book, this is a book that any child can read and re-read at any given time.

From the Amazon Book Page —

Open your eyes! Ready your ears! It’s time to learn with the Ace Compeers!

The Ace Compeers are a diverse group of friends committed to learning all about the world and helping others. Join Ang, Basma, Riley, Erika, and Manjeet as they learn about skin colour and the ways people are both different and similar.

Using kid-friendly language and an antiracist framework, this first book of The Ace Compeers series uses inquiry-based learning techniques to draw connections between skin colour, genetics, geography, and history. It sets the foundation upon which children can shift their preconceived ideas of race and adopt an accurate understanding of skin colour. This book also features study questions to foster a hunger for learning and guide discussion with young readers, making this book an excellent resource for parents, schools, and educational organizations.