More Than Peach (Bellen Woodard Original Picture Book)

by Bellen Woodard, Fanny Liem (Illustrator)

Overview

Penned by the very first Crayon Activist, Bellen Woodard, this picture book will tug at readers' heartstrings and inspire them to make a difference!

When Bellen Woodard’s classmates referred to "the skin-color” crayon, in a school and classroom she had always loved, she knew just how important it was that everyone understood that “skin can be any number of beautiful colors.” This stunning picture book spreads Bellen’s message of inclusivity, empowerment, and the importance of inspiring the next generation of leaders. Bellen created the More Than Peach Project and crayons with every single kid in mind to transform the crayon industry and grow the way we see our world. And Bellen has done just that!

This moving book includes back matter about becoming a leader and improving your community just like Bellen. Her wisdom and self- confidence are sure to encourage any young reader looking to use their voice to make even great spaces better!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338809275
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	07/26/2022
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	91,567
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

BELLEN WOODARD is the beloved trailblazer and CEO of Bellen’s More than Peach Project®️. As the world’s 1st Crayon Activist®️ and pioneer of “skin-color” crayons, Bellen has transformed an entire industry with a first-of-its-kind, innovative and inclusive project and art brand that have now become a global movement. She’s received many notable awards and has been featured by Scholastic, TIME®, Nickelodeon, and many others. Now a middle schooler, Bellen embodies self-expression and discovery and enjoys traveling, dance, and spending time with family, friends, and her two beagles.
FANNY LIEM was born and raised in Indonesia. She’s loved drawing since she was a child. Her passion for storytelling and illustration started the first time she grabbed picture books, which were gifted to her by her uncle. When she is not drawing, she enjoys watching movies and listening to country music.

Editorial Reviews

A 2023 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books List Finalist!

From the Publisher

★ 07/01/2022

Gr 1–3—Middle schooler Bellen Woodard, President of Bellen's More than Peach Project, shares the inspirational story behind her decision to advocate for positive change that will ensure every skin color is seen as treasured and worthy of representation, including in such everyday tools as crayons. Woodard describes how she felt spurred to confront the presumption that the peach crayon means the "skin color" crayon by using purposeful conversation to grow everyone's perception into a more inclusive awareness. Woodard's call for equal, responsible appreciation for how "skin tones can be any number of beautiful colors" transformed conversations inside her school and continues to spread throughout her community and beyond, including her project's development of multicultural crayons and colored pencils, all labeled "skin-color." Liem's illustrations reflect the essentiality for Woodard's empathetic leadership and her global cause by filling the pages with happy, diverse characters, detailed with crayon-like textures set in recognizable scene elements. In the back matter, which younger readers may need help interpreting, Woodard encourages children to pursue their own agency and set up a drive for support. VERDICT Wise and heartfelt, Woodard's story speaks to young activists who wish for positive change by expressing the roots of her own mission to inspire empathy and product inclusion for a better world.—Rachel Mulligan

School Library Journal

2022-04-27
A Black girl’s simple observation propels her into activism.

Woodard, who launched the “More Than Peach” project—which arranges for classrooms and children in need to receive kits that include art supplies and boxes of Crayola’s multicultural crayons (crayons in a variety of skin tones)—relates the incident that sparked her journey. As the book begins, she is dropped off at school and notices that her family’s skin tone differs from that of her classmates. While it is clear that she is one of a few children of color at school, that difference isn’t really felt until her friends start asking for the “skin-color” crayon when they mean peach. She’s bothered that no one else seems to notice that skin comes in many colors, so she devises a unique way of bringing everyone’s attention to that fact. With support from her family and her school, she encourages her fellow classmates to rethink their language and starts an initiative to ensure that everyone’s skin tone is represented in each crayon box. Appealing, realistic artwork depicts Woodard’s experiences, while endpapers feature “More Than Peach” crayon boxes and childlike illustrations of kids of different ethnicities doing various activities. The story is stirring and will motivate budding activists. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An inspirational look at one girl’s quest to make sure that all skin tones are visible and available in the classroom. (note from Woodard, information on Woodard’s journey into activism, instructions on starting a drive) (Picture-book biography. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews