Sister Anne's Hands

Reach for this book when your child starts noticing skin color or begins asking why people are sometimes treated unfairly because of how they look. It is an essential tool for parents who want to move beyond colorblindness and instead cultivate active empathy and historical awareness. Set in a 1960s parochial school, the story follows seven-year-old Anna as she navigates her first encounter with a Black teacher, Sister Anne. While the book honestly depicts a moment of classroom racism involving a cruel note, it focuses primarily on Sister Anne's grace, wisdom, and the powerful way she transforms a painful incident into a lesson on human dignity. It is a gentle yet profound choice for elementary-aged children, providing a safe space to discuss historical prejudice and the lasting impact of kindness. Parents will appreciate how it models restorative justice and helps children understand that while we cannot change the past, we can choose how we treat others today.