Brown Is Warm, Black Is Bright
What’s inside...
A long overdue book that lyrically celebrates and teaches positive associations with two of the most important colors on Earth, black and brown. The poetic text and lush imagery in this picture book captures the richness and depth of life, love, and the natural world, celebrating the power and beauty of the colors brown and black. Brown is depicted as strong as a tree and sweet as honey in tea, while black represents the hopeful promise of a seed, the grace of a bird in flight, and the quiet space where dreams begin.
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do the colors in the book make you feel and why do you think the author chose those colors?
Can you think of a time you felt like the characters in the book? What happened?
What do you think the message of the story is? How can we apply it in our daily life?
How would you change the story if you were the author?
Why do you think it is important to have friends who are different from us?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child to predict what the book might be about just by looking at the cover and title.
While reading, pause at pivotal moments to ask your child what they think might happen next, helping them to engage their imagination and predictive skills.
After reading a page or a passage, invite your child to describe how a character might be feeling, encouraging empathy and emotional intelligence.
Relate the themes or situations from the book to real-life scenarios your child might encounter, enhancing their ability to connect literature to personal experiences.
Encourage your child to draw or write an alternative ending to the story, fostering creativity and narrative skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: The book uses a variety of colors to represent different people and cultures, demonstrating the beauty in diversity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect people from different backgrounds in their everyday interactions at school and in the community.
Example Lesson: Importance of Inclusion
Explanation: Through the interactions between differently colored characters, the book teaches the importance of including everyone regardless of their appearances.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to include all their peers in activities, fostering a sense of community and teamwork.
Example Lesson: Self-Acceptance
Explanation: The characters in the story learn to love and accept their unique traits, promoting a positive self-image.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by feeling confident in their own skin and valuing their personal attributes.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Expression
Explanation: The use of bright and warm colors in the artwork encourages children to express themselves creatively.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to engage in art or other creative activities, expressing themselves through various mediums.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Characters show empathy towards each other's differences, teaching kids to understand and share the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can practice empathy by being considerate and understanding towards their friends' feelings and perspectives.