I Color Myself Different

May 2, 2022
Athlete and civil rights activist Kaepernick turns a formative elementary school event into a celebration of personal identity in this autobiographical picture book debut. A young Colin, with brown skin and sparkling eyes, aims a confident grin at the reader before indicating that “I don’t know too many kids who look like me, which makes me supercool.” In an energetic, assured voice, he tells the story of choosing a brown crayon to color himself in a drawing of his family, only to be surprised by classmates’ intrusive queries: “Why are you the only brown one in your family?!” A flashback shows Colin asking his blond adoptive mother similar questions and reflecting on how “having brown skin and being adopted made me special,” just like his heroes, among them Audre Lorde, Toni Morrison, and Malcolm X. Using formal portraiture, Wilkerson closely details the digital likenesses of Colin, his family, and his social justice pantheon, while blurring settings and workmanlike representations of secondary characters. Unabashedly message-oriented and uplifting (“I color myself different! I’m me and I’m magnificent!” Colin chants), this personal celebrity-activist story rejects self-doubt in favor of expressions of courage and pride. Ages 4–8.

Starred review from April 29, 2022

K-Gr 4-In Kaepernick's debut picture book, readers are introduced to the future NFL player as a five-year-old boy drawing a picture of his family for a school assignment. Prior to school, Colin is confident that "being one of a kind sure is amazing." However, after his classmates challenge him as to why his loving depiction of his family includes different skin tones for Colin than his adoptive family, their ridicule causes him to feel bad. Kaepernick's description of adoption is warm and affirming, as is his more powerful message of embracing differences. Colin not only learns that he is special like other Black historical leaders who "inspire, create, create, lead, and change the world," but he makes sure his classmates know it, too. Charming digital illustrations use a vibrant color palette, which fits the book's themes. The text includes an author's note about how children experience racism and empowers them to know their inherent worth. Back matter also introduces the Black icons depicted earlier in the book. VERDICT This affirming autobiographical look at race and belonging for young readers is a recommended first purchase for public and elementary school libraries. Ideal for read-alouds and starting discussions on family, race, and identity.-Monisha Blair

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 29, 2022
Preschool-Grade 2 Kaepernick joins the ranks of celebrity picture-book authors with this autobiographical story detailing his experiences as a Black adoptee raised by white parents. Colin is a happy, self-confident child who loves his family and school; when his teacher asks students to draw their families, he is unprepared when a classmate asks, ""Why did you color yourself different?"" Luckily Colin recalls a previous conversation with his mom, in which she assures him that his adoption makes him special, enabling him to respond, ""I'm brown. I color myself different! I'm me, and I'm magnificent!"" Wilkerson's cartoon art depicts a mixed-race class filled with smiling, open-minded students and adults. Of special note is the spread that pays homage to several noted Black Americans, including Angela Davis, Toni Morrison, and Malcolm X. While Kaepernik's response to racism is both admirable and idealistic, readers whose lived experiences are not as positive as Colin's may be disappointed. Appended with a note to readers and brief bios of the African Americans depicted.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.