BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD by Ashley Bryan

 BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryan, Ashley. 2003. Beautiful Blackbird. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0689847318

PLOT SUMMARY 

A tale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia gets new life in this picture book adaptation from Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan about appreciating one’s heritage and discovering the beauty within. Black is beautiful, uh-huh! Long ago, Blackbird was voted the most beautiful bird in the forest. The other birds, who were colored red, yellow, blue, and green, were so envious that they begged Blackbird to paint their feathers with a touch of black so they could be beautiful too. Although Black-bird warns them that true beauty comes from within, the other birds persist and soon each is given a ring of black around their neck or a dot of black on their wings—markings that detail birds to this very day.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 Ashley Bryan received the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for lifetime achievement in 2012 and the 2009 Wilder Award.  Beautiful Blackbird contains illustrations that are a visual delight to readers of all ages. Ashley Bryan, who has received countless awards can include awards such as the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for lifetime achievement and the 2009 Wilder Award, can also state that Beautiful Blackbird contains drawings and illustrations that readers of ages can enjoy.

The story uses repetition throughout the text with phrases such as “uh-huh” and “black is beautiful.” The alliteration creates a sing-along feeling when the book is read aloud. The book inspires African American children to be proud about their culture, even though not mentioned specifically or directly.  It is towards the end of the story, the reader finds the birds waiting in line getting their feathers painted black, “We won’t step back till we get a touch of black, too. Uh-uh, uh-huh!”  The wanting to wear the color black is a theme that reads throughout the entire book.

The vibrant colored pages in this book encourage children from different backgrounds and races to embrace their individual inner beauty. While the text concentrates on inner beauty, it can oppose itself due to putting black marking on beautiful colorful feathers.

The Culture Significane of Beautiful Blackbird is that its a great story; however the story line seldom tends to be inconsistent which could affect the impacts of its intended lesson which is self-esteem. The book does concentrate on the point that black is beautiful and that one should appreciate the beauty within oneself.

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