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Table of Contents
About The Book
Coretta Scott King Award–winning creator Ashley Bryan’s adaptation of a tale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia is now available in board book format, featuring Bryan’s cut-paper artwork.
We’ll see the difference a touch of black can make. Just remember, whatever I do, I’ll be me and you’ll be you.
Explore the appreciation of one’s own heritage and beauty. In this story, the colorful birds of Africa ask Blackbird, who they think is the most beautiful of birds, to color them black so they can be beautiful too, though Blackbird reminds them that true beauty comes from the inside.
We’ll see the difference a touch of black can make. Just remember, whatever I do, I’ll be me and you’ll be you.
Explore the appreciation of one’s own heritage and beauty. In this story, the colorful birds of Africa ask Blackbird, who they think is the most beautiful of birds, to color them black so they can be beautiful too, though Blackbird reminds them that true beauty comes from the inside.
About The Author
Photo Credit:
Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.
About The Illustrator
Photo Credit:
Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (April 19, 2011)
- Length: 40 pages
- ISBN13: 9781442436862
- Ages: 4 - 8
Browse Related Books
Awards and Honors
- Coretta Scott King Award (ALA)
- Texas 2x2 Reading List
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Beautiful Blackbird Fixed Layout eBook 9781442436862
- Author Photo (jpg): Ashley Bryan Photo Credit:(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
