black is brown is tan [Hardcover]

Arnold Adoff (Author), Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Brown-skinned mama, the color of chocolate milk and pumpkin pie. White-skinned daddy, not the color of milk or snow, but light with pinks and tiny tans. And their two children, the beautiful colors of both. For an all-American family, full of joy, warmth, and love,

this is the way it is for us
this is the way we are

When it was first published in 1973, Black is Brown is Tan featured the first interracial family in children's books. Decades later, Arnold Adoff and Emily Arnold McCully continue to offer a joyous and loving celebration of all the colors of the race, now newly embellished with bright watercolor paintings that depict a contemporary family of the twenty-first century. And the chorus rings true as ever:

black is brown is tan
is girl is boy
is nose is face
is all the colors of the race

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Originally published in 1973, Black Is Brown Is Tan was the first children's book to feature an interracial family. In this 21st-century version, with new, sunlight-drenched watercolors, Mom is still "a tasty tan and coffee pumpkin pie / with dark brown eyes and almond ears," and Daddy is "light with pinks and tiny tans / dark hair growing on my arms / that darken in the summer sun / brown eyes / big yellow ears." The happy, normal family goes about their day, drinking milk, barbecuing, spending time with grandmas and aunts and uncles, and reading stories. Throughout, they celebrate "all the colors of the race":

black is brown is tan
is girl is boy
is nose is
face
is all
the
colors
of the race

This warm and loving story is just as meaningful today as it was decades ago. Readers from multicultural families, especially, will appreciate this tribute to the diversity of the American family from renowned poet Arnold Adoff (Touch the Poem) and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator, Emily Arnold McCully (Mirette on the High Wire). (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Arnold Adoff's 1973 poem black is brown is tan, featuring the "first interracial family in children's books," according to the publisher, appears here with Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully's new watercolors.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (March 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060287764
• ISBN-13: 978-0060287764
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,154,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black is Brown is Tan : Our Special "Family Poem", May 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Is Brown Is Tan (Hardcover)

Arnold Adoff is the wonderfully insightful author of this easy to read, realistic poem/book. We originally bought one copy of this book about 16 years ago and since have donated it to elementary and middle school libraries all over out city.

Mr.Adoff instills a sense of self esteem in all members of a multi-racial/multi-cultural family while using poetry to make it even more memorable. The artwork will entice you to discuss the theme and allows little ones to not only see themselves, but to tell you how they see their family members on the pages too.

Moms and Dads of multi-ethnic children will want to thank Arnold Adoff for his no-drama approach to everyday life...and all the special little things our families get to share as we venture into raising kids and growing up like we do!

Moms and Dads whose children are not bi-racial or bi-cultural will find support in teaching acceptance to their little ones while not making this topic seem so "clinical."

So, while you may be tugging on wet hair of wiggly little girls or shooing your babies up to bed...take time, share this poem, and enjoy ...there's nothing more special than seeing confident little eyes smiling as they look into the bright shiny mirror that this and all of Arnold Adoff's work offers every one of us!

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A definate favorite in our home..., February 22, 2001

By 

N. Ritterhoff (Peoria, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: black is brown is tan (Paperback)

This book (Black is Brown is Tan) has been a favorite of my daughter since she was one year. There are very few children's books that stress the positive of being a member of a bi-racial family. Black is Brown Is Tan shows the harmony and love between parents, children, and other family members. We love the fact that the extended family (the tan-skinned Uncle, Grandma White and Granny Black) are prominent figures in this book. The book highlights the differences and similarities between the races. It is a great read for all families no matter what their ethnic background. It has become the main staple in my baby shower gift baskets.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only wish I had found it sooner!, October 6, 2004

By 

C. A. Ray "lit-a-holic" (San Francisco, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: black is brown is tan (Paperback)

I was 17 before I read this book, when a 4yo in the preschool I volunteered at handed it to me. I fell in love with this book immediately! It is so beautifully written. As a bi-racial child, I had seldom seen images of bi-racial families growing up, much less one so like my family (my father is white, my mother is black)! Even at 17 it felt good to have such a beautiful story reflect my own heritage in such a positive light. I am now 22 and have finally bought myself a copy for my own bookshelf. I can't wait to share this with my own children someday.