What Color Is the Baby?: A Celebration of Skin Tones by Harshini Vankineni, Neha Rawat
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 153622894X
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
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What Color is the Baby? A Celebration of Skin Tones

Author: Harshini Vankineni

Illustrator: Neha Rawat

 

This picture book, for ages 4-8, is the publishing debut of Harshini Vankineni, whose own experience with colorism served as the inspiration for this story; As a child, Vankineni, from India, was often told that her light-skinned cousins were more beautiful than she was.  This book is about a young girl named Kundana, who declares her newborn sister, Kuku, to be the prettiest baby in the whole world. Kundana’s parents, Papa and Amma, appear disappointed by the darker shade of Kuku’s skin, especially since the members of the extended family can’t stop asking, “What color is she?” Kundana defends her sister and declares “She is our color!” Everyone agrees that is a beautiful color.

This is a beautifully illustrated story about inclusion and acceptance. Kundana’s adoration of her sister, regardless of her color, will inspire young readers just like she inspired her family members. This reviewer appreciated the subtle reference to normalized breastfeeding. Western audiences can relate to the practice of coveting whiteness, but the book is not overly didactic.

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay