Of all of the birds in the forest, Blackbird was considered the most beautiful. All of the other birds envied his beautiful black feathers, despite their own bright colors. Even though Blackbird assures them it’s what they have on the inside that makes them beautiful, they eventually convince him to stir a “blackening brew.” He uses this to paint specks and stripes and spots of black on their feathers. Ashley Bryan’s rhythmic prose and stunning, vibrant cut-paper collages retell this Zambian folk tale that celebrates the beauty of all creatures both outside and in. (Ages 4–8)

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.