The Blacker the Berry: A Coretta Scott King Award Winner

In this award-winning poetry book, acclaimed duo Joyce Carol Thomas and Floyd Cooper celebrate and honor Blackness with lyrical language and colorful portraits. This book received the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, the Coretta Scott King Author Honor, and it is an ALA Notable Children’s Book. Now in paperback!

Black is dazzling and distinctive, like toasted wheat berry bread; snowberries in the fall; rich, red cranberries; and the bronzed last leaves of summer. In this lyrical and luminous poetry collection, Coretta Scott King honorees Joyce Carol Thomas and Floyd Cooper celebrate these many shades of Black beautifully.

Included in Brightly's list of recommended diverse poetry picture books for kids. "Highly recommended for home and school libraries," commented Brightly's Charnaie Gordon. "Each melodic poem eloquently conveys the beauty of different skin tones and complexions. There are also themes of family, traditions, feelings, self-love, and acceptance echoed throughout this book."

“Evocative, colorful poetry. An essential picture book.”—Kirkus (starred review)

We are color struck

The way an artist strikes

His canvas with his brush of many hues

Look closely at these mirrors

these palettes of skin

Each color is rich

in its own right