This study looks into how children learn about the 'first R'—race—and challenges the current assumptions with case-study examples from three child-care centers. Parents and teachers will find this remarkable study reveals that the answer to how children learn about race might be more startling than could be imagined.

"Vivid and provocative." - Kirkus

"Van Ausdale and Feagin challenge conventional theories of child development that are 'adultcentric' and removed, based mostly on attitude testing and behavioral checklists. The authors spent a year at a racially diverse day care center, observing children from three to six years old. The authors suggest that racially hostile and discriminatory behavior among children needs far more study and attention than it has had to date." - Booklist

"Van Ausdale sought honesty from the children by never playing the role of 'sanctioning' adult, so that children learned to act more freely in front of her than they did in the presence of teachers. . . . The implication [of the author's work] is that racism will be much harder to root out than once believed, which makes the active teaching of tolerance all the more important." - The Instrumentalist

"Early education professionals and interested parents will find it an important addition to their collections." - Publishers Weekly

"The primary value of the book lies in its numerous interactional vignettes. This is an empirically rich book." - CHOICE

"This is a scrupulously researched book." - Times Educational Supplement

"A groundbreaking study of children's behavior, attitudes, and assumptions around race." - EBONY

"Van Ausdale wrote about her findings with co-author Joe Feagin in their book The First R. What she saw in her research goes against what we want to believe. Those passionate about ending racism can believe Van Ausdale's findings." - Grand Rapids Press

"Dr. Debra Van Ausdale, co-author of The First R, gives stirring accounts of kids and race in her study of three child-care centers." - The Dallas Morning News

"While researching her book The First R, sociologist Debra Van Ausdale found that very young children form strong opinions about race." - African-American Parent

"In The First R, Debra Van Ausdale and Joe R. Feagin do the study of race a great service by centering analysis on the activity of very young children. The book reminds readers of a crucial fact: all Americans, even the tiniest ones, build our racial orders together." - American Journal of Sociology

"The First R is an extremely rich ethnographic study of children's racial understandings and constructions of meaning. Its fascinating glimpse into the world of children making meaning about race effectively refutes common views of children's relationship to race." - Teachers College Record

"Psychologists, teachers, parents and researchers in the field of child development should make this book essential reading." - British Journal of Educational Psychology