Common Sense Media Review
By Lakshmi Hutchinson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stories of family and friendship set in Black communities.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Listen
What's It About?
Black children from different backgrounds and communities are the stars of their own daily lives in STOOPKID STORIES, a biweekly podcast that has been running since January 2020. Each episode tells a short story about one of the young characters, who is often facing a personal challenge. One story revolves around Nathaniel, a character who travels by plane for the first time and learns how to calm himself and manage his nerves during the flight. Another episode is centered on the choice that the talented BB twins must make about whether to choose an arts academy over their neighborhood school. And a special two-part episode focuses on McKinley, a model student dealing with racial biases at her predominantly white private school. By the end of each episode, the conflict is resolved and the host poses questions to listeners to help them reflect on the story and how its message relates to them.
Is It Any Good?
Kids will enjoy hearing stories that they can relate to about school and friendships. Black children in particular may appreciate hearing their stories brought to life in Stoopkid Stories. The host, Melissa Victor, has a theatrical background and she tells the stories with a range of emotions and a child-friendly tone. Some of the stories, particularly those in Season 1, really stand out for tackling issues of race and class from the perspective of a child. However, while the content is appropriate for ages eight and up, sometimes the tone and language skews younger. The episodes with more basic plot lines may not offer enough drama or descriptive language to keep some older kids (or adults listening in) interested.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different types of family units represented in Stoopkid Stories. What makes a family? Does a child have to live with a mom and dad to be part of a family?
McKinley and Byron are called "street kid" and "ghetto". What is wrong with terms like these? Where do they come from and why are they hurtful? Why is it important to understand the meaning behind the words we use and how we use them?
Does it bother you when you see or hear about kids being mean to other kids because they look different? What can we do in those situations?
Do you see your family or community represented in TV, movies, or podcasts? If you do, do you think it's accurate? And if you don't, what can be done to change that?
Podcast Details
- Release date : January 1, 2020
- Genre : Kids & Family
- Run time : 16 minutes
- Website : https://stoopkidstories.com/
- Host : Melissa Victor
- Production Company and Network : Independent
- Pricing structure : Free
- Topics : Activism , Adventures , Friendship
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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