The Blacker the Berry: Poems

Thirteen poems celebrate the many skin tones to be found in the African-American community, and the diverse families who created them, in Joyce Carol Thomas' The Blacker the Berry. A young boy in Raspberry Black proudly claims his Seminole great-great-grandmother, whose children were "the color of black dipped in red." A young girl comes to understand, in Golden Goodness," that her bronzed skin is a beautiful and generous hue. Another child, in Cranberry Red, notes that her Irish ancestors "reddened the Africa in my face."

While I approve whole-heartedly of the dual purpose of Thomas' book, to increase awareness of the diversity within the African-American community, and to promote a positive self-image for the children of that show more community, I wasn't always "wowed" by the poems themselves. I was also a little uncomfortable with Snowberries, in which a light-skinned girl wishes that she were "as black as midnight." While this might be an understandable feeling, in a world that doesn't acknowledge diversity, it struck me as out of keeping with the affirmative nature of the rest of Thomas' pieces. Surely, if the point is to encourage children to feel good about who they are, then being a "Snowberry" should be something to be celebrated?

Leaving aside this one questionable piece however, the overall tone is one of joy - an impression heightened by Floyd Cooper's beautiful oil paintings, which were awarded the 2009 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. A lush palette, deft use of light, and a tenderly expressive "tone" make these illustrations a true pleasure to contemplate! Well worth the honors bestowed upon them! show less

This book won the Coretta Scott King Award and is composed of twelve poems that celebrates the different skin shades of African Americans and describes their heritage. Each poem is special and is accompanied by a different beautiful illustration. In "Cranberry Red," a child explains that he had Irish ancestors and that "reddened the Africa in [his] face." Another poem, "Skin Deep" asks others to put themselves in another's skin.

I loved this book. I think that students (not just African Americans) will enjoy this book. It is fascinating and the poems are wonderful. The message is an important one: that you are special and beautiful, no matter what color your skin may be.

This would be a great book anytime in the classroom, but it would show more be especially wonderful during Black History Month. After we read this book, I would have students write in their journal about what makes them special and unique. If they know where their ancestors are from, they would list it. show less

This is a wonderfully written and majestically illustrated book of poetry about skin color. Each page is full of rich poetry and absolutely stunning paintings, while making us consider this idea of color, and how precious it is. I would love to use this book while teaching on diversity and poetry.

An amazing read for African American children, especially for little girls. Joyce Carol Thomas takes every stereotype set against any child of color and make it beautiful. She depicts each shade as something robe proud of and not ashamed of. This piece of work gives African American girls more so something to identity fine width. I took,away from this book as I hopr others would, that no matter the shade of your skin you are beautiful.

Gorgeous and effective (and #OwnVoices). I found particularly moving the poem representing the red-haired girl who could pass but chooses to honor all her heritage.
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Reread for Colors theme in Children's Books, Oct. 2022

A lovely book. I can easily imagine that 'white' children will be interested to see all the different kinds of black, brown, yellowish, reddish, and fair that "Black" people's skin tones can be, and that "Black" children will feel affirmed in their individual beauty.

I just thought the poems about heritage, colors in nature, sweet berries, wise elders, and so on are beautiful. As is the art. Reads like a classic. Both author and illustrator have been honored by the Coretta Scott King award committees.

The Blacker the Berry is a wonderful series of poems that really get to you! The characters in this book are so real. They are all related to race and the writer’s feelings about their individual race. While it's a children's book, I think this is an older grade reading. It is more mature and geared towards older children. The pictures in the book have vivid colors and the feelings are projected strongly through the illustrations. The poems themselves are all different perspective and tell stories about people's struggles and triumphs with their ethnicity. I would recommend this book of poems for a classroom on a lesson about differences and equality among a diverse population. In most of the pictures illustrated by Floyd Cooper, I show more feel like their feelings are projected through the pictures and that is what I liked most about the book. show less

Using berries as a metaphor, Thomas explores race and skin color in this slim volume of poetry. Each poem is written from a different child’s perspective, bringing in the berry metaphor as the child contemplates her/his skin color and/or ethnic background. The poems are all wonderfully crafted, and the realistic illustrations add to the overall beauty of the book. This is a great book for children to read, teaching them to appreciate their own beauty and the beauty of others.