1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bryan, Ashley. 2003. Beautiful
Blackbird. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0689847318
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Ashley Bryan produces a striking book with illustrations that underly the importance of self-acceptance and pride for young children. The blackbird is the lone black colored bird in Africa; the remaining birds all have brightly colored feathers with no black markings. All of the brightly colored birds believed that the blackbird was the most beautiful bird in Africa. While at a Sun-dance, the blackbird uses a feather brush to add black accents to all of the colored birds. Collectively, the birds request that more black be added to their feathers. Blackbird cautions that "whatever I do, I'll be me and you'll be you." All of the birds have additional black added to their colorful feathers and chant "black is beautiful."
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The text throughout the story uses repetition with the
phrases “uh-huh” and “black is beautiful.”
This repetition creates a sing-song like feeling when reading the book
out-loud. It is also these phrases that
demonstrate Bryan’s intended lesson. The
book, even though it does not specifically mention it, encourages African American
children to be proud of their heritage.
Toward the end of the story the birds that have been patiently waiting
in line to get their feathers painted black, beg, “We won’t step back till we
get a touch of black, too. Uh-huh,
uh-huh!” The clear desire to wear the
color black proudly is a theme that resonates throughout the entire book.
This brightly illustrated book encourages children of all
races and ethnicity to embrace their inner beauty. While the story is meant to be timeless, some
readers may notice that the colorful birds’ desire to have black markings does
not conform to the blackbird’s teachings.
Even though the blackbird preaches, “Color on the outside is not what’s
on the inside,” the birds still have their feathers painted with black
markings.
While the story encourages pride in inner beauty, the story
contradicts this by the preoccupation of obtaining black markings on the
feathers of the colorful birds. The
group of brightly colored birds covets the blackbird’s dark coloring. While some children may enjoy the
illustrations and hear the intended moral of the story, some may see the
inconsistencies.
Overall, Beautiful Blackbird is a magnificently illustrated
book with some inconsistencies in the story line, which may affect the impact
of the intended lesson on self-esteem and inner pride.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award 2004
Publishers Weekly
Review: “Bryan's lilting and magical language is infectious.”
Kirkus Review: Blackbird
talks of the difference a little black can make, but he also emphasizes that
external appearances do not reflect the inner self. Which of the two is more
important is never clarified. Still, the rolling language and appealing
illustrations make this a must.
School Library Journal
Review: “The story line is simple and
the rhythmic chants of the flock frequently interspersed throughout the text
add drama and a rapper's cadence.”
ALA, Booklist
Review: In this simple adaptation of a
tale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia, the message is clear: "Black
is beautiful."
5. CONNECTIONS
*A book that helps
children be comfortable in their own skin and accept the differences in other
cultures and ethnic groups.
*Other books on
self-esteem:
Adams,
Christine. Happy to Be Me!: A Kid Book about Self-Esteem. ISBN 978-0870293559
Curtis, Jamie Lee. I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little
Self-Esteem. ISBN 978-0060287610*Other books written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan:
Let It Shine. ISBN 978-0689847325
Ashley Bryan’s ABC of African American
Poetry. ISBN 978-0689840456 All Night, All Day: A Child’s First Book of African American Spirituals. ISBN 978-0689867866
Lion and the Ostrich Chicks and Other African Folk Tales. ISBN 978-0153022296