BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD by Ashley Bryan

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryan, Ashley (Adapter). 2003. BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD. New York: Atheneum Books. ISBN 0649847319

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

BEUATIFUL BLACKBIRD is an adaptation of a tale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambi.  Blackbird has been named the most beautiful bird in the forest because of his rich black color.  All of the other birds are all colors red, yellow, purple, orange, blue, and pink without any markings of black.  Of course all of the other bird are envious of Blackbird and want to look like him.  They convince Blackbird to paint their feathers with a touch of black so they can be beautiful like him.  Blackbird tries to explain to the others that it is not what is on the outside but what is on the inside that matters. 

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story has a message of appreciating one’s heritage and discovering the beauty from within.  The story line is simple and is told with the use of rhythm and repetition.  The repeated phrases and songs such as “Coo-coo-roo” make everyone want to participate in the reading  or performance of this book.  This story is a lesson of inner beauty and individuality.  Even though Blackbird shared his color with others he warns them “Color on the outside in not what’s on the inside.” and “…I’ll be me and you’ll be you.”

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*BOOKLIST: “Using a more vivid palette than usual, Bryan employs boldly colored, cut-paper artwork to dramatize action.”

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:  “The cut-paper silhouettes are colorful but static, effectuating a stylized formality.  The endpapers include an image of the scissors used to create the collages and reinforce the physical process behind the art.”

*Coretta Scott King Award winner for illustration 2004

*Kirkus: “The rolling language and appealing illustrations make this a must.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

* Diversity Discussion – Have a discussion with your students about diversity and what truely makes people who they are?

*Culture Lesson – Research the cultures and tradition of Africa and the Zambian people.  Compare and contrast our culture and traditions to those of Africa.