Photo credit: Nonku’s Corner https://nonkuscorner.com/
I Celebrate My Skin is a colorful and imaginative insight into skin color through the eyes and images of children. It shows young readers a perfectly pictured world of outdoor scenery and children indulged in various activities. Though the author and illustrator highlight the children in various skin tones, they are given true life through the innocence of their humanity.
The book averts the banality of culture and racial undertones, and instead exemplifies color through a common and universal perception. For example, the children are depicted through playfulness, enjoying all kinds of activities from playing tug-of-war games to climbing trees—kids simply being their natural selves, getting along and having fun. Nonku’s approach to ethnicity is authentic and lovable at the same time.
I Celebrate My Skin is not a book meant to be left out of a child’s collection. It’s an easy read for children that includes vibrant illustrations. It’s a book every parent and every family should have in their library. It reminds us of our differences, but embraces our uniqueness. It not only celebrates little people by their culture, but by their humanity and their meaning and place in this world. It will teach young children how to develop pride in their skin tones instead of derision or shame. Its message is timeless and infinitely optimistic.
Nonkululeko Kunene Adumentey is a wife, mother of two, and one of the most inspirational storytellers rising in the publishing world today. Born in the Kingdom of Eswatini, a noncoastal African nation that the world once knew as Swaziland, Nonkululeko, also known as “Nonku”, came to the United States in pursuit of a college education. In her passion to inspire her children and all children, Nonku launched this debut children’s book with positive energy that delivers a breath of fresh air. This book is highly recommended for children age three to ten and for parents, as well.
