Published: 2022
Author: Colin Kaepernick
Illustrator: Eric Wilkerson
Genres: Nonfiction Picture Book, Biography, Family, African American, Memoir, Race, School
Audience (Grade Levels): Elementary Grades K-4
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads Link: I Color Myself Different
Triggers: None
Review By: Kassidy Seary
Publisher’s Summary:
An inspiring story of identity and self-esteem from celebrated athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick.
When Colin Kaepernick was five years old, he was given a simple school assignment: draw a picture of yourself and your family. What young Colin does next with his brown crayon changes his whole world and worldview, providing a valuable lesson on embracing and celebrating his Black identity through the power of radical self-love and knowing your inherent worth.
I Color Myself Different is a joyful ode to Black and Brown lives based on real events in young Colin’s life that is perfect for every reader’s bookshelf. It’s a story of self-discovery, staying true to one’s self, and advocating for change… even when you’re very little!
Review:
I Color Myself Different is a children’s book that focuses on self-discovery and identity for a young black child (Colin Kaepernick) that was adopted by a white family. Prior to school, Colin is confident that “being one of a kind sure is amazing.” However, after his classmates challenge him as to why his loving depiction of his family includes different skin tones for Colin than his adoptive family, their questioning causes him to feel bad. Kaepernick’s description of adoption is warm and affirming, as is his more powerful message of embracing differences.
Colin not only learns that he is special like other Black historical leaders who “inspire, create, lead, and change the world,” but he makes sure his classmates know it, too. Inspired by true events, this book is a great addition to your classroom library as it provides an outlet for younger students to learn about diversity in relation to family dynamics and the importance of celebrating your identity through the power of radical self love and knowing your inherent worth.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Highly effective for lessons addressing identity development, radical self-love, recognizing inherent worth, and building self-esteem when facing external questioning.
- Social Studies & Black History: Directly incorporates African American historical figures—including figures like Muhammad Ali, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Huey Newton, Toni Morrison, Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Malcolm X—making it ideal for introductory civil rights or black history modules.
Extension Activity / Library Application:
- “One of a Kind” Family Portraits: Replicate the school assignment from the text by prompting elementary students to draw a portrait of themselves and their families. Use the activity to celebrate different family dynamics, structures, and unique combinations, reinforcing that being one of a kind is amazing.
- Historical Figure “Inspiration” Station: Utilizing the book’s biographical addendum, set up a library or classroom research station where students select one of the nine featured Black leaders to learn more about how they used their unique traits or platforms to lead and change the world.
Diversity & Representation Note:
The book offers crucial intersectional diversity and representation by tackling both transracial adoption and Black identity. It provides an affirming mirror for adopted children navigating different family physical features and acts as an empowering guide for Black and Brown youth learning to take profound pride in their heritage, appearance, and historical legacy.
Readalikes:
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
- The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
- Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs
