JANAI NELSON: “It in some ways challenges this melting pot idea and makes it more of a lovely stew, where each ingredient is still whole and firm and full of its own unique flavor and identity.

Janai Nelson says she hopes the dolls will help children to love who they are and the special qualities they have. She and her partner hope to expand the “Brownstone Buddies” product line to include books and other media. They also have plans to add more dolls in the future.

Easter in America

DOUG JOHNSON: Our question this week is about the Christian holiday of Easter. That is when Christians celebrate the life of Jesus and his return from the dead. For most Christians, Easter, this year, is on Sunday, April twenty-fourth.

Our question comes from Belgium. Christian wants to know how Americans celebrate Easter. He notes an interesting Easter tradition in France, where many Roman Catholics live. Churches in France do not ring their bells on the two days before Easter Sunday. The bells are silenced in respect of the death of Jesus. They ring again on Easter Sunday, the day Christians believe he came back to life.

French children are told a story about why the bells are quiet on Good Friday and the next day. Parents say the bells have flown to Rome to see the head of the Roman Catholic Church. But on Sunday morning, the bells return and ring again.

In America, many children are told stories about the Easter Bunny. He is said to bring eggs, chocolates and other sweets, and hides them for children to find on Easter morning.