Book Review: The Case for Loving

The Case for Loving: The Fight For Interracial Marriage by Selina Alko is a informational text written in a picture book format about interracial marriage during the 1960s in Virginia.  A very basic story with dates and simple to understand vocabulary for elementary school students, The Case for Loving shares an important time in our nation’s history that cannot be overlooked.  Although the story line at times can become overly simplified, the mixed media illustrations portray the true love the Lovings had for each other and their fight to make it legal.
This story is a great way to open a discussion about civil rights, including marriage, speech, voting, and more.  This case happened less than fifty years ago and I think it’s so important that kids understand that the world is constantly changing and adapting.  As the saying goes, “history repeats itself” or maybe it won’t if children are taught how to be more accepting of differences.
Backmatter includes sources as well as further reading for children including Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport and Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea David Pinkney.  Backmatter also include an author’s note about the importance of this issue for herself and her husband (co-illustrator) as well as (an out-of-date) mention of same-sex marriage.
Title: The Case for Loving: The Fight For Interracial Marriage
Author: Selina Alko
Illustrators: Sean Qualls and Selina Alko
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication Date: 2015