The Sonar System: a children’s book about sound systems, Tesfarians and the power of music

You’re more likely to encounter a Gruffalo than a BME person in literature aimed at kids, but Ras Mykha’s new book places black characters front and centre

In The Sonar System, a new children’s picture book by singer and MC Ras Mykha, the planets orbit a gigantic, pulsating speaker instead of a sun. The story is simple, familiar and classic: the conflict between two peoples (the Tesfarians and the Malake) who once lived in peace, with an overarching message of acceptance. What makes this book noteworthy is that it’s written by a black person, features black characters and focuses on black experience.

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