"Beautiful Blackbird" Book Review

1.      Bibliography

Bryan, Ashley. 2003. BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD. New York, NY: Atheneum Books. ISBN 0689847319

2.      Plot Summary

Ashley Bryan’s adaptation of this Zambia tale begins with birds of all colors flocking and admiring the only beautiful blackbird.  The birds start to ask Blackbird to share his beautiful black markings.  Blackbird brews some blackening in his medicine gourd and paints black markings on the birds that are the same markings as today.  Blackbird warns the birds “color on the outside is not what’s on the inside” and “Just remember, whatever I do, I’ll be me and you’ll be you.”  This rhythmic adaptation ends with Blackbird running out of black paint so he can no longer paint anymore designs on the colorful birds.  The birds surround Blackbird and sing “Our colors sport a brand-new look, a touch of black was all it took….black is beautiful, UH-HUH!”

 

3.      Critical Analysis

Ashley Bryan’s adaptation is meant to be read aloud with its rhythmic text and words that flow together.  This strong rhythmic style is fun for children to enjoy and move around to as the birds dance and chant “Blackbird stands out best of all.  Blackbird is the most beautiful.”  The theme is understood when the birds repeat “Black is beautiful” and Blackbird reminds them all beauty comes from within. 

The illustrations are bright and colorful and is a beautiful representation of Africa and the birds.  Ashley uses his unique cut-paper collage artwork to work together with the text which gives the reader a glimpse into the African culture.  Bryan also adds a touch of personality to the book with pictures of scissors used to create the illustrations in the pictures at the beginning and end of the book.  Audiences of other cultures will have an appreciation for the storytelling in this adaptation.  

  

4.      Review Excerpt(s)

Coretta Scott King Award – 2004

Kirkus Review – “This telling, by the master storyteller, just aches to be read aloud.”

5.      Connections

*Pull other African Folktales and discuss elements and characteristics as well as compare and contrast.  “African Folktales” by Roger D. Abrahams and “Her Stories:  African American Folktales, Fairy Tales and True Tales” by Virginia Hamilton are a couple of those examples of works to use.

*Focus on Ashley Bryan and research his background with African Folktales and literature.  Pull other works from this author such as “Words to My Life Song” and “The Night Has Ears:  African Proverbs”.