Around the World in Black and White: Traveling as a Biracial, Blended Family

by Alana Best

When Alana and Roland, a spirited Canadian couple with an insatiable desire to live life to the fullest, embark on an epic yearlong travel adventure around the world with their newborn son and ten-year-old daughter, they think they’re prepared for whatever might come their way.

They soon discover that this is not entirely true.

This charming family love story, sure to inspire wanderlust, is peppered with funny parenting mishaps, thrilling adventures, breathtaking sceneries, unforgettable monuments, and culinary bliss. However, as you are taken through the temples of Southeast Asia, the pyramids of Egypt, the rolling hills of Tuscany, and the African plains, you will also be exposed to the world as experienced by a biracial, blended family. Around the World in Black & White is a tale of self-discovery, racial awakening, resilience, and deeper understanding. This bold, witty, and heartfelt memoir will have you rethinking how you travel, how you see the world, and how the world sees you.

416 pages, Paperback

Published August 29, 2023

Reviews

[Ella Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alana and Roland, a biracial couple, set off with their newborn baby to see the world. Apart from all the wonders they experienced, neither knew that their biggest challenge would be encounters with racism. The author has to face her white privilege and how it impacts their travels and relationships. She writes with honesty, insight, and humility. This heartfelt story takes you along on their global adventures, full of joy, challenge, and surprise.

[Bronwyn Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Around the World in Black & White, shares a wonderful story of a biracial family travelling the world and embracing all the curve balls it throws at you. Alana writes from a place of humbleness, gratitude and grace.. as she explores the complexities of raising a black son, learning to view the world from his (and her partners) eyes. She grapples with her own struggles of motherhood, guilt and white privilege. She finds solitude in unique experiences that forced to be grounded in the moment with her children like nursing her son amongst the greatest creations of our world, or exploring the country roads of France with her daughter. Alana and her family experienced the wonders of the world and all the complexities that come along with it, reminding them that family is at their core.

I laughed, I cried, I learned

[Emma C · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost this book awakened my inner travel bug - the author brings you into her world and you feel as though you are actually there. I'm already booking my next trip!

On a deeper level, Around the World in Black & White gave me a glimpse of what it is like to travel as a racialized person in this world (I have always travelled under the protection of my white privilege).

I laughed, I yearned, I learned and I cried. An easy read with a deeper message. Ive already got copies for all my family as gifts.

[Scimae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written memoir. It made me want to start planning some of my own adventures around the world. There’s a good blend of descriptions of sites, personal stories of the family and cultural observations. As a white woman who tries to be anti-racist and an ally I appreciate the author sharing her own journey as she travels with her biracial family. Read it! You won’t be disappointed!

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air was my first thought. Though I found the read a bit feely, the overall story was easy on the eyes. For the most part this travel adventure seemed fun, filled with stories that include considerable narratives on the joys and sorrows of extended family who here and there also joined this year-long venture. Readers looking for a chill memoir to read will enjoy this experience. Read 2023 soft-copy edition.

[Lisa Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoirs aren't usually my thing, but I really enjoyed this one by Canadian author Alana Best, who takes us on her year-long adventure with her biracial, blended family, including a newborn. Each chapter is a country the family visited. Best gave me lots to think about.

[Kelsie Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of the year! A fun read, as you are transported around the world, while also tackling heavier issues like racism with thoughtfulness and self awareness. A must read and great for book clubs!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alana's honest and realistic view point of this year with her family is refreshing and enlightening. So many places, so much love.

[Sarah Etkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stunning memoir is a beautifully written account of a year long trip around the world as a biracial family. Alana writes with humour, grace, and vulnerability as she recounts the details of the racists encounters her husband, Roland faces throughout their travels. This story will make you fall in love with this incredible family, move you to tears, and make you LOL at their all too relatable struggles when travelling with a newborn and their 10 year old daughter. Most importantly- it will leave you inspired to take action, look inward, and become the ally we all need to be.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toronto Public Library 2024 Reading Challenge: A book about a holiday.