I Am Brown; Ashok Banker, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

Brown children unite in this adorable picture book that is educational, important and shouts to brown children everywhere to be proud of who they are and to dream big.

The little girl in this story loves being brown. “She is perfect. She is beautiful.” With the help of some friends, the little girl shares all the things that she and her friends love to do, their hopes for the future and all of the things that make their lives so flipping awesome. Being brown is absolutely brilliant and this girl wants you to know just how brilliant it is…

Like all children, the girl and her friends loves to play and do things. They create art, they code computers, they solve crimes, they help people and they pilot ships. They draw, they build, they create, they run and they win. And just like all children, they have dreams of what and who they can be. They can be anything…your friend, your boss, an astronaut, a scientist, an electrician, a president or the prime minister. Nothing is impossible when you are brown.

Altogether the children are a cultural melting pot of different things. They speak different languages, eat different foods, practice religious worship at different places - or not - and wear all sorts of different clothes. Everyone is different, all are equally welcomed, accepted and celebrated.

It is a wonderful book that celebrates the ‘special’ in all children. Yes, children might look different, dress different, follow different religions, talk different and eat different foods but that is a good thing, in fact it is the most incredible thing. Ashok Banker shows that differences should be celebrated, as it is individuality that makes each and every child special. Books like this can only help to empower brown children and develop understanding for all children from an early age.

Sandhya Prabhat’s illustrations are full of warmth, happiness and the innocent enjoyment of youth. Giggling, smiling and enthusiastic brown children adorn the pages. Lips are licked as food is eaten, open mouths create a symphony of different languages and proud faces live out future dreams. The endpapers are gorgeous too!

I Am Brown is the most brilliant celebration of being brown and being utterly and overwhelmingly happy with the skin that you are in. All children should read this book.

Recommended for 4+.