You Are My Favorite Color - by Gillian Sze (Hardcover)

About the Book

"When you ask me why your skin is brown, I will tell you that you are my favorite color. I will say that your skin was decided long, long ago. Time was just waiting for you. So begins a mother's celebration of her children's brown skin, told through warm and vivid poetry"--

Book Synopsis

A lyrical story of parental love that celebrates and takes pride in the many shades of brown skin. Perfect for fans of I Am Enough, Hey Black Child, Hair Love, and Our Skin.

When you ask me why your skin is brown,
I will tell you that you are my favorite color.
I will say that your skin was decided long, long ago.
Time was just waiting for you.

So begins a mother's celebration of her children's brown skin, told through warm and vivid poetry. With sweeping descriptions of what brown skin means--it is the brawny bear whose paws know the ground of its home, the sequoia tree that reaches up and touches the sun, the glossy shell of roasted chestnuts--this is a book that empowers as it embraces, and that reminds young readers that they have shades of color that only they can discover and express.

With beautiful, lyrical text by powerhouse poet Gillian Sze and vibrant, engaging art by illustrator Nina Mata, the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of LeBron James's I Promise, this is more than a story of love--it is a song that rings out for brown kids everywhere.

Praise for You Are My Favorite Color

"This is a sweet, languorous celebration of brown skin in all its infinite shades and of multiracial, multifaceted families. Lovely." --Kirkus Reviews

Review Quotes

Praise for You Are My Favorite Color

"This is a sweet, languorous celebration of brown skin in all its infinite shades and of multiracial, multifaceted families. Lovely." -Kirkus Reviews

"A lyrical, affirming celebration of brown skin, self-love, and family. Recommended." -School Library Journal

About the Author

Gillian Sze (she/her) is the author of multiple poetry collections, as well as books for children, including My Love for You Is Always, illustrated by Michelle Lee, and The Night is Deep and Wide, illustrated by Sue Todd. She studied creative writing at Concordia University and received a PhD in études anglaises from Université de Montréal. Originally from Winnipeg, Gillian now lives with her family in Montreal, where she teaches creative writing and literature. You can find Gillian online at gilliansze.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gilliansze.

Nina Mata (she/her) is a New York Times bestselling illustrator who received her degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She has illustrated many books, including American gymnast Laurie Hernandez's She's Got This, NBA superstar LeBron James's I Promise, and the Ty's Travels I Can Read series. Nina currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, their daughter, and Tabitha, their cat. You can find her online at ninamata.com or follow her on Twitter @msbeautifique and on Instagram @ninamataart.