Why?: A Conversation about Race

A piercing picture book about racial injustice from a child's perspective from Taye Diggs and Shane Evans.

"Daddy?"
"Yes, my sweet boy."
"Why are those people shouting?"
"Our people are shouting because we need to be heard. We need to be heard."

Why? is a question asked by children daily, and in this striking and timely story, it begins a straightforward and challenging conversation between children of color and the adults in their lives.

Why are the buildings burning? Why are people marching? Why are they crying? Taye Diggs has written a beautiful, powerful, and poignant story that peers through the eyes of a child as they struggle to understand why these events are happening.

Why? distills the conversations many children and adults are having about race, injustice, and anger in communities throughout our country, and gives them context that young readers can connect with. Heartfelt and deeply piercing illustrations from Shane W. Evans will leave a lasting impact on readers of any age. One that will hopefully lead to more conversations, change, and peace within our own communities and the world.


About the Author

Taye Diggs is an actor whose credits include motion pictures (How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Chicago), stage, (Rent, Wicked), and television (Private Practice, Murder in the First, Empire, and All American). He is also the author of Mixed Me!, Chocolate Me!, I Love You More Than. . . , and My Friend!, published by Feiwel and Friends. He lives in Los Angeles and New York City with his son.

Shane W. Evans is the illustrator of numerous award-winning (NAACP Award, Coretta Scott King Award) books for children, including We March, Underground, Mixed Me!, Chocolate Me!, I Love You More Than. . ., and My Friend!. He is based out of Kansas City, Missouri, and travels extensively to gain inspiration. Shane can be found in Dream Studio LLC where he creates and serves the community.