Ruby Bridges was a 6-year-old first-grader when she walked previous jeering crowds of white individuals to change into one of many first Black college students at racially segregated faculties in New Orleans greater than six a long time in the past. Now, with instructing about race in America extra sophisticated than it’s ever been, she’s authored an image e book about her expertise for the youngest of readers.

WATCH: Civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges on activism within the trendy period

Bridges, together with three different Black college students at a distinct college, have been the primary to combine what had been all-white faculties in New Orleans in 1960.

“I Am Ruby Bridges,” that includes illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, goes on sale Tuesday. Revealed by Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., it’s aimed toward readers as younger as 4.

Full with a glossary that features the phrases “Supreme Courtroom” and “regulation,” the e book is an uplifting story about alternatives and youngsters having the ability to make a distinction, Bridges mentioned in an interview with The Related Press.

“It’s a real reflection of what occurred via my very own eyes,” she mentioned.

However books by or about Bridges have been challenged by conservatives in a number of college districts amid complaints over race-related instructing. Bridges mentioned she hopes the brand new e book winds up in elementary college libraries.

READ MORE: Coalition of librarians, academics and publishers types to struggle e book bans

“I’ve been very, very lucky due to the way in which I inform my story that my infants are available all shapes and colours, and my books are bestsellers, and possibly banned in faculties,” she mentioned. “However I feel dad and mom actually need to get previous our racial variations. They’re going to hunt out these books.”

Bridges was born in 1954, the identical 12 months the U.S. Supreme Courtroom dominated that racial segregation of public faculties was unconstitutional. Southern college districts, together with New Orleans, continued resisting integration for years.

However on Nov. 14, 1960, Bridges — carrying a plaid e book satchel and carrying a white sweater — was escorted by 4 federal marshals previous a taunting white crowd into segregated William Frantz Elementary Faculty. The scene was made well-known within the Norman Rockwell portray “The Drawback We All Dwell With,” which hung within the White Home close to the Oval Workplace throughout the tenure of former President Barack Obama.

The e book’s theme performs off the writer’s title: “Ruby” is a valuable stone, and “Bridges” are supposed to carry individuals collectively. Informed with a contact of humor from the vantage level of a first-grader, the e book captures the surprise of Bridges’ expertise — reasonably than simply the scariness of that raucous first day on the college.

“It actually appears to be like like Mardi Gras to me, however they aren’t throwing any beads. What’s Mardi Gras with out beads?” Bridges writes.

The one parade that day was out of the college. White dad and mom instantly started withdrawing their youngsters, so Bridges spent all the 12 months by herself with white trainer Barbara Henry, who continues to be alive and a “absolute best buddy,” Bridges mentioned. Henry’s acceptance and kindness throughout a fraught time taught her an necessary lesson, she mentioned.

“That formed me into an individual that isn’t prejudiced in any respect. And I really feel like that little lady continues to be within me, and that’s it’s my calling to verify children perceive which you can’t take a look at somebody and decide them,” Bridges mentioned.

Elsewhere in New Orleans on the identical day Bridges went to high school, Gail Etienne, Leona Tate and Tessie Prevost entered the beforehand all-white McDonogh No. 19 elementary college. Final 12 months, New Orleans held a weekend of occasions to recollect Bridges and different girls.

Bridges, a Mississippi native, nonetheless lives in metro New Orleans and has authored or co-authored 5 books. Two years she printed “This Is Your Time,” which is meant for older youngsters than her new e book.

Reeves is a member of AP’s Race and Ethnicity Group.