Product Description
This lyrical picture book is a joyous, poetic, celebration of Black children and a reminder of the Universe’s unconditional love in stunning verse and captivating collage. Perfect for fans of Sulwe!
When the Universe decides to create a child, she draws from the earth—rich, dark, and full of everything that gives life, including eyes like black star sapphires and full lips to speak the truth. With help from the Sun and the Moon, they create a child of the Universe: beautiful, powerful, and boundless with the brilliance of Black Gold.
Laura Obuobi’s empowering, whimsical text and London Ladd’s lustrous, captivating illustrations will inspire children to love themselves exactly as they are.
"Obuobi pens an origin story that’s at once earthly and impressively cosmic, an ethereal children’s debut that centers a Black child’s beginnings."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Lyrical, empowering, and inspiring. An affirmation of the miracle each individual is.” —Yamile Saied Méndez, author of Where Are You From? and What Will You Be?
From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3—Lyrical text tells of the Universe as she creates a Black child out of the earth, lovingly shaping each feature, swaddling the child in gold, crowning the child with roses, breathing her divine power into the new life. The Sun and the Moon share their light and wisdom and the Universe her love. The fully formed child is advised to take pride in sharing these exalted origins with the world. The mixed media art uses rich, saturated colors and striking imagery to embody the depth of an infinite cosmos, bringing the text to life. Black children will find a positive and powerful affirmation of their intrinsic and irrefutable worth. VERDICT Stunning illustrations elevate this empowering creation myth.—Alyssa Annico
Review
"In a perfect weave of lyrical, empowering words and stunning, inspiring illustrations, Black Gold is a celebration of children and the attributes that make them unique. This book reads like an affirmation of the miracle each individual is.” — Yamile Saied Méndez, author of Where Are You From? and What Will You Be?
“Poetically written and wondrously illustrated, Obuobi and Ladd’s picture book offers Black children a cosmic origin story filled with beauty and strength. This book holds universal appeal in the way it intimately connects children to the larger world, and its empowering message will strike a chord.” — Booklist
"Black children will find a positive and powerful affirmation of their intrinsic and irrefutable worth." — School Library Journal
"Obuobi pens an origin story that’s at once earthly and impressively cosmic, an ethereal children’s debut that centers a Black child’s beginnings." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
