Beautiful Blackbird

                                       

                                        Image courtesy of Books for Young Readers

Bibliography

Bryan, Ashley. Beautiful Blackbird. New York: Books for Young Readers, 2003.  ISBN 9780689847318

Plot Summary

Blackbird lives long ago in Africa in a colorful bird community. The other birds come to believe black is the most beautiful color, so they all want some of his black color. He reminds them that true beauty comes from within. They still come to him, and he decorates everyone with some of his black roots. The birds rejoice and dance with delight in their striking, color contrasting, black touches.

Critical Analysis

Originally, a folktale of the Ila-speaking people of Zambia, Beautiful Blackbird is a colorfully illustrated depiction glorifying the beauty of the African culture and teaching a lesson that color is not congruent with personality. And more specifically, Beautiful Blackbird teaches us it is not only alright to be black or otherwise colored, but that black is truly beautiful. The metaphor of the blackbird reflecting all the colors of the world delivers a message to readers of all ages that can be understood at varying levels of sophistication. Also, it is uplifting that we find strength and power in the character Blackbird.  

Rhythm and repetition in Beautiful Blackbird invites readers to perform this lovely tale. Through its rhythmic performance style, the audience can connect with the root culture of this piece. Bryan’s cut-paper artwork speaks to the purity of color, ensuring the audience focuses on the subject. Color is at the heart of this tale honoring beauty in everyone and most of all honoring the beauty in being black.

Review Excerpts

2004 Coretta Scott King Award

1974 ALA Notable Book

From Kirkus Reviews: “The rolling language and appealing illustrations make this a must.”

From Publisher’s Weekly: “Bryan's lilting and magical language is infectious.”

From Booklist: “The overlapping collage images fill the pages with energy as the songlike responses of the birds tap out a rhythm punctuated with ‘uh-huhs.’”

Connections

Use it to compliment an early childhood lesson in the colors of the rainbow or prism followed by guiding a discussion with children about their interpretations of the book. Children may create artwork featuring their science lesson as well as creative work with colors.

Read along with poetry by Maya Angelou. Invite children to create art inspired by her poems.

Children can create a collage with all colors of paper, paint, or crayon.

Read books to learn about a variety of cultures. Invite children to teach about their own cultures. Celebrate different cultures by hosting a culture fair.

·       A life like mine, How children live around the world, Unicef. ISBN 9780756618032

Teach a unit of study around the world. Learn about the culture and geography of countries around the world.

Gather books celebrating black contributions.

·       Jackie Robinson and the Story of All Black Baseball by Jim O’Connor. 9780394824567

·       Trombone Shorty by Bryan Collier. ISBN 978-1419714658

·       Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America by Andrea Pinkney. ISBN 9781423142577

·       I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., illustrated by Kadir Nelson. ISBN 9780375987724