Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers? by Junauda Petrus and Kristen Uroda - NO

Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers? by Junauda Petrus, illustrated by Kristen Uroda. PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) Dutton (Penguin), 2023. $19 9780593462331 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - NOT RECOMMENDED 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

The author postulates that America would be a better place if the grandmother had the resources and the authority of the police. 

While the sentiment is sincere and loving, the idea is based on a fantasy. If grandmothers really had this much power - of stopping anger and violence through love - then they would already be able to stop the violence in their communities. I was saddened by the idea that people would believe this was a real solution. The characters are all Black. 

Cindy, Library Teacher