You so black

Select an Action

You so black

Title:

You so black

Author:

Theresa Tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D., 1982- author.

Ladd, London, illustrator.

Summary:

"Based on Theresa Wilson’s (a.k.a. Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D.’s) beautiful, viral spoken word poem of the same name, You So Black is a picture book celebration of the richness, the nuance, and the joy of Blackness. Black is everywhere, and in everything, and in everyone—in the night sky and the fertile soil below. It’s in familial connections and invention, in hands lifted in praise and voices lifted in protest, and in hearts wide open and filled with love. Black is good. Accompanied by powerful yet tender illustrations by award-winning illustrator London Ladd, Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D. has adapted her poem, full of gorgeous lyricism and imagery, to show readers the love, joy, resilience, and universality in the beauty of Blackness." -- Amazon.com.

Audience:

Ages 4-8. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Grades 2-3. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

General Note:

"A Denene Millner Book."

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 26 cm

Genre:

Stories in rhyme.

Picture books.

Subject Term:

African Americans -- Juvenile fiction.

Black people -- Juvenile fiction.

Author(s):

Ladd, London,

Publisher:

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers,

Publication Date:

2023

ISBN:

9781665900348

Publication Information:

New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2023]

Call Number:

P THERESA

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003601369	New Picture Books	THERESA	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Based on Theresa Wilson's (a.k.a. Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D.'s) beautiful, viral spoken word poem of the same name, You So Black is a picture book celebration of the richness, the nuance, and the joy of Blackness.

Black is everywhere, and in everything, and in everyone--in the night sky and the fertile soil below. It's in familial connections and invention, in hands lifted in praise and voices lifted in protest, and in hearts wide open and filled with love. Black is good.

Accompanied by powerful yet tender illustrations by award-winning illustrator London Ladd, Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D. has adapted her poem, full of gorgeous lyricism and imagery, to show readers the love, joy, resilience, and universality in the beauty of Blackness.

Author Notes

Theresa Wilson a.k.a. Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D. is a musical, lyrical and theatrical alchemist, sprinkling magic like hot sauce. She is best known for her appearance on the 2019 Trumpet Awards on Bounce TV, and the now viral recitation of "You So Black." Theresa is from the south suburbs of Chicago but calls Atlanta home. She holds a degree in commercial music from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.

London Ladd is a graduate of Syracuse University with an MFA in illustration. He uses a unique mixed media approach, combining cut paper textured with acrylic paint, tissue paper and colored pencil to bring his diverse subjects to life. London's artwork is steeped in intensity and emotion, a reflection of the artist himself. His hope is that You So Black will be passed down through generations, reaffirming African Americans' strength, beauty, power and love. His goal is to open a visual arts community center where lower-income families can create their own art. London lives in Syracuse, New York.

Reviews (1)

Publisher's Weekly Review

S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D. transmutes her spoken-word poem of the same name into a reflective and rousing picture book celebration of Blackness. Expansive initial lines turn the titular phrase into a series of affirmations, kicking off: "You so Black, when you smile, the stars come out./ You so Black, when you're born,/ the god come out." Subsequent "Black is" statements describe the word both via specifics ("brilliant," "strong") and by embracing its multiplicity of meanings ("adjective,/ adverb,/ color, /and noun"). Employing a vibrant palette, Ladd's mixed-media collage depicts dark-complected Black figures--varying ages, body types, hairstyles, and skin tones appear throughout--against saturated, stained glass--like backdrops that include visuals of pyramids and the night sky. On one page, a child in a unicorn shirt holds a star-topped wand ("Black is grace"); another highlights a civil rights demonstration ("Black is tough.../ Black is hard to do!"). It's a potently messaged poem thoughtfully rendered. Ages 4--8. (Jan.)