Your child can learn alongside a young boy about what heritage is and why you should be proud of whom you are and where you come from. The main character, Montsho, uses rhyming poetry in the beginning to explain to his grandpa all the negative things he knows associated with the color black, and he finally asks very worried, "Grandpa, is everything black bad?" The narration changes to dialogue in the middle of the book, as Montsho's Grandpa assures him that the color of his skin is part of his African heritage, which is what makes him special and is something to be very proud of. Montsho's Grandpa then tells him a story of his heritage by using an African drum, and the words move back into rhyming poetry with a steady drumming beat, boom, boom, boom. Throughout the book the water color pictures abound with many colors and shades creating compelling artwork that will keep your child's attention and possibly provoke questions. Light shading is used in the background, with more defined details used for the characters to help them stand out.
This book is certainly one for discussing during or after, as it is flushed with important life lessons. Like Montsho, your child may not yet know about their heritage and why they look the way they do. Expect them to ask about their own and their friends' heritages, as they learn about Montsho's family's African roots. Expect to take many breaks throughout the story to ask and answer questions, or just pause to explain how Montsho's lessons relate to your child as well. Due to the quantity of information given, the magnitude of the subject, and the various literary techniques utilized, this book is one that can be read many times over and still teach new lessons.
My friend read this to her five-year-old daughter, Liz, after she came home from kindergarten and said there was a new girl in her class who didn't look like her. They read this book together a few days in a row, and each time Liz came up with new questions. Liz wanted to read the book about her own heritage, but her mom said she didn't have one, so she'd just have to tell her the story. My friend said it was encouraging to see her daughter want to learn more about her heritage, and proudly start telling people, "I'm part Puerto Rican, you know."
--Audra