Brown: The Many Shades of Love (The Colors of My Life)

Children will love hearing familiar words such as cinnamon, chocolate, gingerbread, and copper to describe the family. As many children engage in tough discussions pertaining to racial differences in the early grades, the inviting language in this work is sure to pique the interest of young readers.

In easy-to-read rhymes, this #OwnVoices debut shares a palette of browns that a child sees in his relatives. Describing the varied skin tones of his immediate and extended family, the narrator speaks in an appreciative, age-appropriate tone ("My mama's brown is chocolate./ It's clear, dark, and sweet.// My daddy's brown is an autumn leaf, / like a field of wheat"). Each comparison is paired with a portrait done in a childlike style, seemingly rendered in kid-friendly mediums such as crayon and watercolor. Some figurative language ("fragrant") brings in more senses, with varying effects. This book provides a view of skin tone that celebrates a multitude of hues while serving as a subtle, effective refutation of the idea that being family means looking the same. Ages 3-5. (Sept.)