What Color Is the Baby?: A Celebration of Skin Tones
Written by Harshini Vankineni
Illustrated by Neha Rawat
Published by Candlewick
A debut author takes a familiar loaded question, steeped in colorism, and turns it into one child’s openhearted celebration of her new baby sister.
When Kundana meets her newborn sister, Kuku, she declares her the prettiest baby in the world. But as grandparents, aunts, and uncles welcome Kuku, all they want to know is what color she is. Is she a marigold like her sister? Or a white jasmine? As the family gazes at Kuku’s brown skin, big sister Kundana wonders why her family would care what color Kuku is—she’s beautiful!
Inspired by first-time author Harshini Vankineni’s own experiences with colorism—the practice of treating people differently because of how dark or light their skin is—What Color Is the Baby? is a moving journey of a big sister finding a new and loving way to describe and defend her adored baby sister, while Neha Rawat’s warm illustrations delight with coziness and love of family.
Primary ISBN: 9781536228946
Publication Date: April 2025
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American
Themes: Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Celebrations & Traditions, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Discrimination: Colorism, Family Relationship: Siblings, Generation: 1st, Generational Differences, Identity: Body Image, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: Unspecified
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Book Trailer
Harshini Vankineni: How To Address Colorism And Body Positivity With Kids – Bookstr
Source: www.harshiniv.com