Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster, 2019. $18. 9781534425361
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Sulwe has skin that is darker than anyone in her family. She is the color of midnight while her mom is the color of dawn and her father the color of dusk. Sulwe wishes and prays to have lighter skin until one night a star from the sky whisks her away and tells her the story of the Night and the Day and how they needed each other. Sulwe returns to her room and feels a renewed appreciation for her skin color.
This is a beautifully illustrated book that gives words to an experience that is not often discussed. Skin color is a difficult subject and this book approaches it gently and with great compassion. The book does not turn away from how idealized light skin is and the complicated feelings young readers of color may feel about this.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
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