I absolutely loved this book! The illustrations are beautiful, and the text is lyrical and beautiful. I also really enjoyed the back matter, which included three poems and the evolution of what Black Americans have been called. This would make for a great read-aloud for 5-8 y/o.

This is incredible. I will admit the illustrations are not to my taste, but they are well-done and fit the book. BUT THE TEXT. The text is straight-up phenomenal. The poetic picture book text. The author's note with the explanation of Black vs. brown. The playlist. The explanations of the phrasing choices. The inclusion of the poems referenced. The timeline of Black ethnonyms in America. Perfection. Just perfection.

I like the illustrations of this book. I also like the concept of showing that black is beautiful, like a rainbow.

Angela Joy riffs on the word "Black...""Black is molasses from tall sugarcane.Black is soft-singing,'Hush now, don't explain.'"...as a color..."Black is a crayon, tangled in a box.Black is a feather on white winter snow.Black is the dirt where sunflowers grow.My color is black."...as a culture..."Black is the heart of a candle and flame.Black is the power of movement in pain."...now..."Black are the braids in my best friend's hair.Black are the bottoms of summertime feet."...in the past..."Black...

I found my first book for my Caldecott 2021 list! Beautiful text and stunning illustrations. Extensive back matter, including poetry, an author’s note, a musical playlist, and explanations about historical events that support the text. Publishes 1/14/20. Will be my first purchase of 2020. Preorder now.

I enjoyed the stained glass feel of this book. I think it was a great way to show off the black lines.

A joyous celebration of black culture/history.

The colorful illustrations in this book were gorgeous, as was Angela Joy's writing. I really appreciated ALL of the backmatter included. Looking forward especially to listening to the recommended playlist.Appreciated receiving an ARC of this book and not having to wait until it was officially published to read it. I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org

I LOVE THIS BOOK!! The message and the poetry and the illustrations are all beautiful! Ekua Holmes’s collage/stained glass style paintings make my heart sing!

For about four summers in a row, our family hosted a little boy through The Fresh Air Fund who would travel from NYC to spend some time with us in Buffalo. We built some of our most lasting memories during that time. Visiting museums, hanging out at the town pool, going to the library and amusement parks. He and my daughter were the best of friends. I enjoyed getting to know his family and I was thrilled when they were able to come out to spend Thanksgiving with us one year. I just knew that his...

This is a beautiful book. (Love the art of Ekua Holmes!) It also has amazing back matter: an informative author's note, a playlist of songs, an explanation of all the allusions (including 3 poems that are referenced, and "A Timeline of Black Ethnonyms in America." Ethnonyms. A new term to me, but powerful information about names a people have been called and have called themselves.

The end notes are amazing. Highly recommend reading this piece along with the curated playlist!

Beautiful message; beautiful book. The illustrations bring the text to life as a young girl shares why Black is part of the rainbow. Joy brings readers through a variety of experiences and emotions. Don't miss the important historical figures placed in the background. Information text at the end of the story shares more beyond the verses in the book.

Preordered immediately. Buy this. Share it widely.

... in my box of crayons, Black is a rainbow color too I love picture books like this. I love picture books that help spark conversation and allow children to see the beauty in their Blackness and in our culture.

There are so many stunning details delivered by the book's illustrations. It masters that tricky balance between being sweet and charming but also completely Important and Educational. The back matter - lists of songs, poems, as well as general guidance for teaching Black history - makes this the perfect book to give to any parent who wishes to address race with their child. It's not just about teaching kids acceptance and self-affirming difference. It's as necessary to learn the history of a gr...

Looks like I’ll have to start my Caldecott 2021 list already!!This book is stunning in both lyrical text and illustrations. The back matter is second to none, including poems by Langston Hughes & Paul Lawrence Dunbar, explanations to references throughout the text, and a timeline of “what to call” Black people throughout American history, starting in 1619. This book is a celebration, a tool for informed understanding, and a confirmation of history. I cannot wait to share it with my students.So s...

This is a fantastic book for kids for any month of the year - but it really is a great way to start teaching young ones about Black History Month. The resources in the back part of the book are fascinating. The songs, poems, and historical notes really elevate this book as a teaching tool. And the artwork and lyrical style of sentences make it an amazing book to read aloud.

This is a book that will stick with me for a long time and one that takes multiple readings to unpack. It reminds me a lot of Fry Bread in that way. You can't just get everything about this book in one reading.First of all, there is so much in the backmatter to pay attention to - you'll want to play the music that is listed in the background, you'll flip back and forth from the backmatter to the corresponding pages to learn more and get greater depth of understanding.I'm really looking forward t...

Thank you Macmillan Kids for a gifted advanced copy!My friend, Amber, got this book and shared about it with me and I knew I immediately had to get my hands on my own copy. Let me start by saying the illustrations in this book are absolutely gorgeous. But the book itself is so, so beautiful as well. One of my favorite parts is in the back of the book where it talks about what to call black people and how that has changed over the years from negro, to African American, and to simply Black. And wh...