“It’s okay to be sad. We all have feelings.”

It’s a true delight to analyze this beautiful story through the lens of a Black child psychologist and advocate for enriching children’s content. This book, with its heartwarming narrative and relatable characters, is an absolute gem for children, families, and schools alike, especially given its focus on a Black family.

Educational and Psychological Elements: A Deep Dive

Positive Representation

This is paramount. The book features a Black family excelling in creative and intellectual pursuits. Mrs. M, a “content queen,” and Mr. M, a “filmmaking genius,” provide powerful role models for children to see themselves reflected in positive, successful, and intelligent ways. This combats negative stereotypes and fosters a strong sense of identity and self-worth in Black children.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Development

• Acknowledging Sadness: Lehasa’s sadness about not knowing “indigo and violet” is met with empathy and validation by Lehumo. She tells him, “It’s okay to be sad. We all have feelings.” This teaches children that all emotions are valid and provides a healthy coping mechanism for sadness.
• Problem-Solving and Resilience: Lehumo’s encouragement, “Mommy and Daddy both work hard for us. We can find other ways to learn and show them that we can work hard too,” teaches children proactive problem-solving and resilience. Lehasa’s shift from sadness to determination is a powerful example of emotional growth.
• Empathy and Sibling Support: Lehumo consistently acts as a “guiding light” for Leanna and a supportive older sister to Lehasa. This models positive sibling relationships and the importance of empathy and care within the family unit.

Encouragement of Curiosity and Lifelong Learning

Lehasa’s newfound determination to “read more books and watch more educational shows” is a fantastic takeaway. It promotes intrinsic motivation for learning, emphasizing that learning isn’t just confined to formal settings but can be a joyful and continuous process.

Celebrating Diverse Intelligences and Creative Expression

• Artistic and Technical Creativity: The distinction between the “artsy side” and the “filming equipment” side of the office highlights different forms of creativity. Leanna’s early interest in painting and then the camera bags shows a natural inclination towards creative exploration.
• Sensory Exploration: Leanna’s engagement with various colors in her painting set (“red and green and blue, and eventually all the colors”) encourages sensory exploration and early artistic expression.

Language and Communication Development

• Early Language Acquisition: The deliberate effort by Mommy and Daddy to teach Leanna “Mama” and “Dada,” followed by the exciting moment of her first word, “Camera,” highlights the importance of active engagement in a child’s language development.
• Rich Vocabulary: The use of descriptive language (e.g., “content queen,” “filmmaking genius,” “angel baby,” “guiding light”) enriches a child’s vocabulary naturally within the context of the story.

Positive Family Dynamics

The book beautifully portrays a loving, supportive, and communicative family unit. The parents prioritize family time, celebrate achievements (both big and small), and communicate openly with their children. This provides a strong blueprint for healthy family relationships.

Work-Life Integration (for parents)

Mr. M stepping off a busy film set to speak to his wife, and the discussion of upgrading home filming equipment, subtly demonstrates how parents can integrate their passions and work into their family life in a balanced way.

Benefits for Children, Families, and Schools

For Children

• Boosts self-esteem and identity.
• Develops emotional literacy.
• Fosters a love for learning.
• Encourages creativity.
• Improves language skills.
• Promotes positive sibling relationships.

For Families

• Sparks meaningful conversations.
• Strengthens family bonds through shared reading.
• Provides positive parenting models.
• Inspires creative family activities.
• Reinforces the importance of play.

For Schools

• Adds positive representation of Black families to classroom libraries.
• Supports social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum.
• Enhances literacy development and reading comprehension.
• Encourages STEAM discussions through art and filmmaking themes.
• Promotes parental involvement through at-home reading.

Ways to Incorporate into Routines

Families

• Bedtime Reading: Perfect for a comforting bedtime read-aloud.
• “What Did You Learn Today?” Discussions: Encourage reflection like Lehasa’s lessons.
• Creative Play: Set up art or filming corners inspired by the book.
• Rainbow Hunt: Explore and name colours around the house or outdoors.
• Feeling Check-Ins: Use Lehasa’s moment of sadness to talk about emotions.
• Show-and-Tell: Encourage children to share creative work or new knowledge.

Schools

• Read during circle time to spark group discussions on creativity and emotions.
• Include rainbow art or painting activities.
• Set up dramatic play centres inspired by the story.
• Invite local Black creatives to share their work.
• Incorporate SEL lessons on empathy and emotional regulation.
• Launch a “Family Stories” project celebrating creativity at home.

Other Takeaways and Insights

• The Power of Observation: Mrs. M’s inspiration from Leanna’s painting shows how adult attentiveness can spark creativity.
• Learning is Everywhere: Learning happens through life, not only in classrooms.
• Screen Time with Purpose: Encourages mindful, educational viewing.
• Celebrating Milestones: The story teaches that every developmental step is worth celebrating.
• Parental Passion as Inspiration: Shows children that their parents’ passions can inspire their own dreams.
• Cultural Nuances: The inclusion of “Babasi” (Zulu endearment) beautifully celebrates cultural heritage.

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