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Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019 · Est. 7 min read-aloud
Sulwe
By Lupita Nyong'o, Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)
A young girl struggles to find her place in a world where she doesn't fit in due to her skin color.
48 pages· 864 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
$17.99Save 6%
Bookroo's summary
Sulwe, with skin as dark as midnight, feels out of place in her family and school. Longing to be as bright as her mother and sister, she embarks on a magical journey through the night sky. This adventure transforms her perspective, teaching her that true beauty shines from within. Will Sulwe embrace her unique radiance and find self-acceptance? Discover a heartwarming tale of self-esteem and inner beauty that inspires children to celebrate their individuality.
"Brightness is not from your skin, my love. Brightness is just who you are."
— from the book
From the publisher
From Academy Award–winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.
Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.
In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.
At a glance
- Format
- Hardcover
- Pages
- 48
- Words
- 864
- Reading age
- 4–8
- Audience
- Picture
- Lexile
- AD580L
After the last page
Talk about it together
Sulwe felt alone because of how she looked, and it made her feel like she wasn't good enough. Have you ever had similar feelings, where you felt like you didn't fit in or weren't good enough? How can you, like Sulwe, appreciate who yourself for who you are?
As the shooting star shares, Night and Day are both needed to make the world strong and beautiful. Do you know people who look different, have different cultures, or have different talents? How do all of your differences make the world beautiful and strong?
Inside the book
A peek between the covers
What readers & critics say
Reviews
5.2
out of 7
“After learning how Night and Day are both needed, Sulwe knows that she is “dark and beautiful, bright and strong.” Harrison’s glossy illustrations faithfully render the features of black people, allowing the beauty of different skin tones to shine, with deep purple tones in the darkness, reinforcing the story’s message.”
Kirkus
Critic · Starred review
“Though a bit uneven in its storytelling, this beautiful book covers an important topic rarely addressed for young audiences, with tenderness and joy. Sure to gain attention in picture book collections.”
School Library Journal
Critic
“By turns beguiling . . . and magical . . . the volume also clearly conveys that colorism is real, and it hurts. Sulwe’s story confronts it head-on . . .”
Publisher's Weekly
Critic
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The fine print
Book details
Reading levels
- ATOS
- ~3.8
- F&P level
- ~O
Publication
- Published
- October 15, 2019
Edition
- Language
- English
- Type
- Picture Book
- Text details
- The text for this book was set in Young Finesse 9.
- Illustration details
- The illustrations for this book were rendered using Adobe Photoshop.
Identifiers
- ISBN
- 9781534425361
- LCCN
- 2018029563
- OCLC
- 1131725311
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Top contributors: Kathy Ellen Davis · The Goodfather · Marmee