About This Book
Reach for this book when your child begins to ask about the concepts of unfairness, human rights, or the history of freedom. It is an essential tool for parents navigating the difficult task of introducing the history of American slavery through a lens of individual agency and hope. While the subject matter is heavy, the story focuses on the protagonist's ingenuity and the universal desire for self-determination. The story follows Henry Brown, a man who chooses an extraordinary path to escape captivity by mailing himself in a wooden crate. Parents will appreciate the way it balances the painful reality of families being separated with the inspiring resilience of the human spirit. It is a profound choice for elementary-aged children to build empathy and understand the weight of the word 'freedom.'
