Bright Eyes, Brown Skin (A Feeling Good Book) (A Feeling Good Book) [Paperback]

Cheryl Willis Hudson (Author), George Ford (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: A Feeling Good Book

This classic title is a staple in preschool and early childhood programs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Igus's comfortable story unwinds through a gentle and credible conversation between an African American boy and his grandfather. On his annual summer visit to the country, Noel engages in his favorite activity: fishing off a small pier. The child listens intently as his grandfather reminisces about his boyhood swims in the river, when he and his friends swung into the water from a rope attached to a large tree. This memory evokes others, and grandfather enumerates the many differences of that simpler era, when his family lived without a refrigerator, TV, telephone, indoor toilet or car. As the elder recalls the past, Bond's strikingly naturalistic, richly hued paintings give way to black-and-white drawings that effectively evoke the lifestyle of the period. At last, Noel experiences the excitement of catching his first fish, and as his grandfather remembers the thrill of his first catch, he concludes that "it's good to see that the important things are still the same." Ages 6-9.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 1-- A poem extolling the beauty of African-American children forms the basis for celebration of a positive self-image. Four attractive children engage in typical kindergarten pastimes as the rhyming text rhapsodizes about their dimpled chins, "teeth that glisten," and "very special hair and clothes." Whereas building self-esteem and acknowledging children's charms are commendable goals, they are not enough to build a book upon. Yes, these boys and girls are appealing, but they are so unusually cooperative and cheerful, smiling nonstop throughout the pages of this slim volume, that real live children, with all of the emotions and moods that are a part of being human, may have difficulty relating to them. --Anna DeWind, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Just Us Books (November 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940975238
• ISBN-13: 978-0940975231
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author, publisher and entrepreneur, Cheryl Willis Hudson began her career doing textbook design for publishers such as Houghton Mifflin and Macmillan.
Noticing a lack of quality Black-interest books for her own two children, in 1988, Cheryl Hudson and her husband Wade formed Just Us Books, Inc., a publishing company that specializes in children's books that focus on Black experiences, history and culture. Hudson's AFRO-BETS® ABC Book was Just Us Books' first published title.
Cheryl Willis Hudson has written over 20 children's books, including the classic Bright Eyes, Brown Skin, Many Colors of Mother Goose, and Come By Here, Lord: Everyday Prayers for Children, Hold Christmas In Your Heart, What Do You Know, Snow!, the What a Baby board book series (Scholastic, Inc.) Hands Can (Candlewick), My Friend Maya Loves to Dance (Abrams) and From Where I Stand (Marimba Books).
As an author, Cheryl Willis Hudson crafts vibrant and engaging multicultural books that allow children of color to see themselves positively reflected in society. As a diversity workshop facilitator and speaker she shares her experience and expertise in developing curricula of inclusions with schools and educational organizations around the country. She loves to visit schools and libraries to talk with children and parents about her books.
For fun, Cheryl sings with friends in an amateur acappella vocal group. She lives in Northern New Jersey with her family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bright Eyes, Brown skin, May 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bright Eyes, Brown Skin (A Feeling Good Book) (A Feeling Good Book) (Paperback)

A charming foursome, Alexa, Ethan, Jordan, and Olivia enjoy a day in kindergarten. The vibrant, detailed pictures and large print, rhyming text provide many opportunities for interaction between the reader and child. Perfect for a beginning reader (5-7) as well as a younger child (3-4). This is one of the few books I have seen for young African-American children that highlights their uniqueness and makes them feel special. My four year old is delighted with this book which has become her favorite bedtime story. Also a nice preparation for pre-school or kindergarten.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Okay Book for Babies and Toddlers - a review of "Bright Eyes, Brown Skin", February 2, 2006

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Bright Eyes, Brown Skin (A Feeling Good Book) (A Feeling Good Book) (Paperback)

This would be a nice book for small children about to head off to preschool for the first time. It shows four darling children as they play and eventually nap at their school.

The artwork is reminiscent of Dick and Jane and is very appealing. As other reviewers have noted, there is very little text. In fact, here is the text from the first 4 pages (see below).

Bright eyes,
Brown skin...
A heart-shaped face,
A dimpled chin.

Now, Amazon has the ages for this book listed as 4 to 8. I would think Baby to beginning preschool would be more appropriate as there is no real story here. In regards to using this book as a beginning reader, I think it would be a miserable choice. Certainly there are not a lot of words, but the one's that *are* here are not suitable for beginners. Words like `heart-shaped' and `dimpled', `ticklish' and `special' are simply too hard.

Three Stars. Wonderful `Dick and Jane' pictures with brown-skinned children. I borrowed this book from the library for my entering-preschooler: 1) because he will be entering soon, and 2) because I am tired of looking at white-only faces in books (even though we are not brown skinned).

Not a great read-aloud, the conversations that can come from discussing the pictures make up for this flaw.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Wonderful, March 22, 2006

By 

Eager Reader (Miramar, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bright Eyes, Brown Skin (A Feeling Good Book) (A Feeling Good Book) (Paperback)

My 2-yr-old is so in love with this book. She is fascinated by the simple story and also by the great illustrations. It is one of her must-read bedtime books. It is indeed a "feeling good book", however I think it is only appropriate for children under 4-yrs.