Black Is a Rainbow Color

As Joy intended, Black is a Rainbow Color is the perfect “point of departure . . . launching a great exploration into this dynamic slice of American life and all the complexities that go with it.” The text is lyrical (“Black are the bottoms of summertime feet”, “Black is the power of movement in pain.”) and gorgeously rich with intertwined references to varied elements of black culture, including Civil Rights leaders (Martin Luther King Jr.), barrier breakers (Thurgood Marshall), musical contributions (rhythm and blues), and creatives (Maya Angelou), to name just a few. The masterful use of passing references to momentous moments, people, and contributions (in both the text and illustrations) sparks interest and curiosity, which is then partially quenched by the host of further educational materials and resources located in the back of the book, including a playlist, descriptions of events and people referenced throughout the book, and a few select poems by African-American poets. The illustrations match the text in their richness and vibrancy, the collaged illustrations incorporating newspaper clippings, maps, sheet music, and photographs. Beginning with a thoughtful, provoking question for a child—why isn’t black in the rainbow?—Black is a Rainbow Color is the inspiring jumping-off point for many discussions.