Listening Time

Free Spirit Publishing
Elizabeth Verdick
Illustrated by Marieka Heinlen
2008
Rating: Y


Listening Time is a board book with beautiful, realistic drawings of children learning to listen during story time. Part of a series of "Toddler Tools" (including Sharing Time and Manners Time), Listening Time demonstrates important social skills while also promoting a positive perspective on racial diversity.

We added this book to our personal collection after searching out board books that featured multi-racial characters. This was one of the few books in the bookstore that showed characters with an array of racial backgrounds interacting with one another. It was also one of the few books that portrayed African American characters without being thematically "African American." That is, this book does not draw attention to race or use race as a plot point. It just so happens that the children in this classroom have a variety of skin tones and hairstyles.

By illustrating racial diversity without drawing attention to race, this book works to deconstruct stereotypes. While discussing the realities of racial inequality with children is important, that conversation needs to be age appropriate and balanced by portrayals of race as a neutral characteristic. Board books are obviously aimed at very young children, and it is important that these infants and toddlers see images of people of color as a part of day-to-day life.

Furthermore, all of the children in this book are well behaved and learning to communicate and listen effectively. While many images in the media portray children of color (especially black boys) as being rowdy and uncontrollable, this is a positive message that demonstrates the value of every citizen.

Bottom Line-
Listening Time offers a positive message on social skills through a racially diverse cast of characters.