Two Worlds One Family: A Child’s Perspective on Being Biracial by Felicia L. Kenny

This review first appeared on Reader Views. Read the Reader Views version here. 

Meet Jory: she’s 8, she’s biracial, and she loves her family. At school, Jory has friends whose families are also a blend of cultures. There’s Shareef, whose mom is from India and whose dad is from Germany. There’s Kayla, whose mom is from Japan and whose dad is from Mexico. Although Jory recognizes that not all families are like hers, Shareef’s, and Kayla’s, she celebrates how there are so many people in the world who all look different but are all the same on the inside. Two Worlds One Family: A Child’s Perspective on Being Biracial ends with some coloring pages, rounding out this wonderful picture book.

Two Worlds One Family by Felicia L. Kenny is a picture book aimed at readers aged five to twelve but is also accessible enough to be read to younger readers, in my opinion. Kenny is sure to use easy-to-understand language and keep an innocent child’s perspective on the topic of race. Which makes it perfect for young readers as an introduction to how, while people around the world or even just in our neighborhood, look different, we are all ultimately human and should be treated as such.

Kenny’s artwork also reflects this clarity. Everyone in the book is depicted clearly, but in a sweet way to keep the artwork engaging to look at. When discussing the immigrant parents in the book, Kenny shows off the different countries’ flags. This is a great chance for young children to learn. Beyond this chance to learn, what readers get most, though, from Kenny’s artwork is the joy of the book. This joy permeates the pages and will make the readers—young or old—smile. That joy is also clear in Kenny’s text. Jory is cheerful and happily shares her family and friends with the reader. Her perspective on the world is also clearly delightful, and this carries through the book.

Two Worlds One Family is a picture book aimed at readers aged five to twelve. However, its joyful and clear artwork, text, and message are easily accessible to readers even younger. Author Felicia L. Kenny has done a wonderful job crafting this meaningful book.

Two Worlds One Family: A Child’s Perspective on Being Biracial by Felicia L. Kenny, Pine Book Writing