I Color Myself Different

by Colin Kaepernick, Eric Wilkerson (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Colin Kaepernick already has several distinct chapters of his life written. This next one, as children's book author and publisher, could be his most impactful. Inspired by his childhood in a mixed race household, mixed race school and mixed race world, Colin tells the story of what happens when a brown child is asked to draw a picture of himself and his family — which is white. Great for fans of I Promise, Sulwe and All Because You Matter.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

An inspiring story of identity and self-esteem from celebrated athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick.

When Colin Kaepernick was five years old, he was given a simple school assignment: draw a picture of yourself and your family. What young Colin does next with his brown crayon changes his whole world and worldview, providing a valuable lesson on embracing and celebrating his Black identity through the power of radical self-love and knowing your inherent worth.

I Color Myself Differentis a joyful ode to Black and Brown lives based on real events in young Colin's life that is perfect for every reader's bookshelf. It's a story of self-discovery, staying true to one's self, and advocating for change... even when you're very little!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338789621
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	04/05/2022
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	86,569
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

ERIC WILKERSON is an award-winning illustrator and conceptual artist who has created many sci-fi, fantasy, and middle grade book covers. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, he teaches illustration at CG Spectrum, while also focusing on painting people of color having out-of-this-world adventures. Eric lives in Northern Virginia and this is his first picture book. Visit his website at ericwilkersonart.com.

Colin Kaepernick is a Super Bowl quarterback and New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who fights oppression globally. He founded the Know Your Rights Camp, which advances the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown people through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization, and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders. In 2019, he started Kaepernick Publishing to empower a new generation of writers and creators through the development and publication of meaningful works of all genres that focus on amplifying diverse views and voices. KaepernickPublishing.com

Editorial Reviews

05/02/2022

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. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Amazon Best Book of 2022 (ages 3-5)

Carter G. Woodson Honor Award 2023

New York Times Bestseller

* "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." – School Library Journal, starred review

"Realistic renditions coupled with a simple text capture Colin Kaepernick’s poignant message of individuality." – Story Monsters

“I Color Myself Different exemplifies Colin Kaepernick’s continuous efforts to leave this world better than he found it, for all people. He reminds us that to be different is to be cool. To be different is to be special. To be different is to find value in yourself, just the way you are.” – Malcolm Mitchell, author of My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World and Super Bowl champ

From the Publisher

★ 04/29/2022

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

School Library Journal