PPBF/ black is brown is tan

HI Friends!

It’s Perfect Picture Book Perfect Friday! And Boy do I have a book for you!

Book Cover for black is brown is tan

Title: black is brown is tan

Author and illustrator: Arnold Adoff/ Emily Arnold McCully

Publisher info: Harpers Collins Publishers 1973; renewed 2001

Themes: Interracial, African-American, multicultural, family values,

Age appropriate for: Kindergarten through second grade

Resources: Scholastic has a site for teacher about this book here:

And you can get a teacher’s guide from Harper Collins here:

First Three Sentences: black is brown is tan is girl is boy is nose is face is all the colors of the race

From the Jacket: Brown-skinned mama, the color of chocolate milk and pumpkin pie. White-skinned daddy, not the color of milk or snow, but light with pinks and tiny tans. And their two children, the beautiful colors of both. For an all-American family, full of joy, warmth and love.

This is the way it is for us

This is the way we are

When it was first published in 1973, Black is brown is tan featured the first interracial family in children’s books. Decades later, Arnold Adoff and Emily Arnold McCully continue to offer a joyous and loving celebration of all the colors of the race, now newly embellished with bright watercolor paintings that depict a contemporary family of the twenty-first century. And the chorus rings true as ever: Black is brown is tan is girl is boy is nose is face is all the colors of the race.

Why I love it: Like the intro says, it is an all-American family of the twenty-first century. The illustrations are from Emily Arnold McCully’s home in upper New York State and are bright and super friendly, making this poem text simply awesome to read aloud. Just the rhythms of the poem song makes one want to put it to music and sing it while turning the pages. For an interracial family this is a gem not to miss. And for any family trying to understand race this is a book that will meet all their expectations.

“Black Is Brown Is Tan is a story poem about being, a beautiful true song about a family delighting in each other and in the good things of the earth.”

For my writer friends here is my gift to you:

For my first Friday in February here are the links

 

My Facebook and blogger friend, Marcie Atkins, has started a teachers mentor site and here are her You Tube videos of helps, or mentoring, for teachers and writers like you!!

Onomatopoeia Video on YouTube

Onomatopoeia Video on TeacherTube

Onomatopoeia Resource book (like a thesaurus for onomatopoeia)

Onomatopoeia Mentor Text Lesson Plans

Marcie says:

Click here to download a character chart. You can use this when students are trying to create characters. It helps them think of ways to create depth in their characters. Of course, it’s just a starting point, and kids will always think of many more ideas than I give here, but it is a good way to differentiate for writers that need a little bit of support. Even the kids who don’t need the support can use it as a springboard for thinking about their characters.

You can sign up for more at www.marcieatkins.com.  Happy writing! And happy learning!

And here’s what Vivian Kirkfield says on her blog:  http://viviankirkfield.com/2014/01/31/ppbf-hoot-and-holler-a-story-about-friendship/

“Today is Friday – I have a children’s book review to add to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. For more wonderful reviews from authors, educators and others who contributed today, please go here. ”

And here’s what I say:

Hugs and kisses!

See  you on Tuesday the other day I blog. 

© 2014 Clara Bowman-Jahn aka Clarike Bowman-Jahn

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