Published: 2020
Series: N/A
Author: Angela Joy
Illustrator: Ekua Holmes
Genres: Poetry, Social Justice, Storytime
Audience (Grade Levels): Elementary Grades K-5
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars)
Goodreads Link: Black is a Rainbow Color
Triggers: None
Review By: Kassidy Seary
Publisher’s Summary:
A child reflects on the meaning of being Black in this moving and powerful anthem about a people, a culture, a history, and a legacy that lives on.
Red is a rainbow color.
Green sits next to blue.
Yellow, orange, violet, indigo,
They are rainbow colors, too, but
My color is black . . .
And there’s no BLACK in rainbows.
From the wheels of a bicycle to the robe on Thurgood Marshall’s back, Black surrounds our lives. It is a color to simply describe some of our favorite things, but it also evokes a deeper sentiment about the incredible people who helped change the world and a community that continues to grow and thrive.
Stunningly illustrated by Caldecott Honoree and Coretta Scott King Award winner Ekua Holmes, Black Is a Rainbow Color is a sweeping celebration told through debut author Angela Joy’s rhythmically captivating and unforgettable words.A child reflects on the meaning of being Black in this moving and powerful anthem about a people, a culture, a history, and a legacy that lives on.
Red is a rainbow color.
Green sits next to blue.
Yellow, orange, violet, indigo,
They are rainbow colors, too, but
My color is black . . .
And there’s no BLACK in rainbows.
From the wheels of a bicycle to the robe on Thurgood Marshall’s back, Black surrounds our lives. It is a color to simply describe some of our favorite things, but it also evokes a deeper sentiment about the incredible people who helped change the world and a community that continues to grow and thrive.
Stunningly illustrated by Caldecott Honoree and Coretta Scott King Award winner Ekua Holmes, Black Is a Rainbow Color is a sweeping celebration told through debut author Angela Joy’s rhythmically captivating and unforgettable words.
Review:
Black Is a Rainbow Color is a powerful anthem that celebrates all things Black, the colorful and the cultural. The story takes us on a journey with a young girl who reflects on the meaning of being Black, which leads her to question, absorb, and share information about her culture. In the beginning of the book, the young girl helps readers associate the color black with objects that surround her. From the wheels of a bicycle to the robe on Thurgood Marshall’s back, Black surrounds our lives. It is a color to simply describe some of our favorite things, but it also evokes a deeper sentiment about the incredible people who helped change the world and a community that continues to grow and thrive.
As the book continues, readers will notice that the color black resembles much more than a color, rather the culture from which she comes from and embraces. Themes of identity, history, culture, and activism are woven into the language and illustrations of this book, which are also heightened by the songs, poems, and a timeline of black ethnonyms. This book can be used across elementary grade levels for the purpose of exposing students to the rich history, people, and a legacy of black culture.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
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Social Studies & Black History: Directly introduces important historical elements, activists, and icons, such as Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and references to significant literary themes (like Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou).
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Social Emotional Learning (SEL) & Identity: Promotes positive identity development, self-reflection, pride in one’s cultural heritage, and a deep appreciation for community roots.
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English Language Arts (ELA): Perfect for elementary units exploring figurative language, symbolism, poetry, historical allusions, and analyzing the author’s rich, lyrical prose.
Extension Activity / Library Application:
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“Black Is My Rainbow” Poetry & Craft: Invite students to write their own poems or build a customized crayon box craft based on the book’s core premise. Students can illustrate and list meaningful everyday objects, role models, and personal values that represent their own unique heritage and community.
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Multimedia & Allusion Research Station: Utilize the rich back-matter of the text by setting up a library research or listening center featuring the book’s 11-song playlist, the featured poems, and the timeline of ethnonyms, encouraging older elementary students to dive deeper into the historical context.
Diversity & Representation:
This book provides masterful, essential diversity and cultural representation by transforming a standard concept (colors) into a profound celebration of Black culture, resilience, and history. It naturally fosters equity and inclusion by providing Black students with an empowering mirror for their identity while offering all elementary readers an indispensable window into a rich cultural legacy.
Readalikes:
- I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
- The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
