Happy In your Skin: Is Rafa Different

This is a top pick among teachers and Liberians and families who are looking to add more diversity to their collection of books for children.

Did you know that children as young as preschoolers are curious about their race and ethnicity when they are among other kids in school from diverse backgrounds?

This book helps tell the story of Rafa, who is in preschool and is curious about why his skin color is different.

Young Rafa has a wonderful family. They are from India and now live in the United States. Rafa loves where he lives, but sometimes he gets strange questions that he doesn't know how to answer.

"Why are you brown?"

"Why are you so different?"

Rafa never knows what to say when he gets these questions... until he talks to some of the adults in his life!

It turns out that many people have gotten questions like that, and they can help him with what to say! His doctor, teacher, and parents help Rafa understand who he is and how to be proud of that.

Dear parents and teachers, Here is why I wrote this book:

Why is my skin color different? This was the question my preschooler asked me.

While it was a shock and hard to process at the moment for me, I knew I needed to help my child navigate through these feelings and curiosities about his identity.

This book is a tool for parents to navigate questions about differences

and give our children a sense of pride and security in who they are.

A resource for teachers who can help children learn new ways to embrace everyone's uniqueness.

My mission through this labor of love is:

• To help all young children to become exceptional future leaders through cultural sensitivity and awareness
• And to be happy and secure in their own skin.
• For parents to know that you don't have to do it all alone.

Erlin Kakkanad is a mom, Ph.D. in Education candidate, promotes cultural sensitivity and awareness for children, youth, and adults in corporations; and raises Asian Indian American children in the Midwest.