The Blacker the Berry
Amistad, 2008
Poetry
ISBN: 0060253754
32 Pages
ALA Notable Children’s Books. Middle Readers
Coretta Scott King Award (Illustrator)
Coretta Scott King Honor (Author)
Synopsis
Written and beautifully illustrated for a younger audience, likely grades 1-4, this book seeks to broaden the worldview of American children that it is necessary to see a wider range of representation in skin tone for African Americans than simply light or dark. There are many variations given ethnic background and heritage, and Thomas’s poetry, along with Cooper’s art shows this by utilizing the common phrase, “The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice,” by comparing the color of skin tone to various berries that can be found throughout the wild.
Critique
This was a fun book to read, not just because of the simple but educational poetry, but also because the artwork is engaging. It must have taken Cooper a long time to paint them because of their photo-realistic quality. It’s also a great book for young African American children to read in order to see the differences in their culture and why some of their own kin may look completely different than they do. I especially liked the line where a girl claims to be “cranberry red” from her father’s Irish heritage. I recommend it to learning readers from ages 3 – 8.
Rating Rubric
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For the Classroom
This is a great book for in the classroom reading, especially in earlier grades. The artwork and the poetry make for an excellent combination that kids are sure to love.
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