Beautiful You, Beautiful Me

Tasha Spillett-Sumner

Salini Perera

A child who looks different from her mother finds beauty and belonging in this new book from the creator of the New York Times bestseller I Sang You Down from the Stars

Izzy’s favorite place to be is in Mama’s arms—skin to skin, safe and warm. One night, cuddled up on Mama’s lap, Izzy notices something she’s never noticed before: her skin is the color of chocolate, but Mama’s skin is the color of sand.

When Izzy realizes she’s different from Mama in other ways, too, she feels sad and confused. She wants to be beautiful like Mama! But Mama addresses Izzy’s disappointment with a gentle, loving refrain: You’re part of me, and I’m part of you. I’m beautiful like me, and you’re beautiful like you. Finding lessons from nature and repeating her affirming message, Mama encourages Izzy to see her own unique beauty.

This story about a multiracial child navigating identity and belonging draws from author Tasha Spillett-Sumner’s own experience growing up as an Afro-Indigenous girl. Lyrical text and warm, lively illustrations show Izzy’s journey as she learns to celebrate the differences that make her uniquely beautiful, and the connection to her mother that transcends physical traits.  

Tasha Spillett-Sumner, Salini Perera
Regular price $19.95 CAD
Regular price Sale price $19.95 CAD

SKU: 214851n0nn1nWWW | ISBN: 9781771474528

"Spillett-Sumner’s quiet text strikes a steady rhythm of call and response: Izzy’s uncertainties and her mother’s answering refrain that celebrates rather than dismisses the pair’s differences ... A lovely accompaniment to any cuddle."

- Kirkus Reviews - STARRED REVIEW

"An excellent addition to any collection." - Quill & Quire - STARRED REVIEW

"This could give rise to story hour discussions of differences that matter and those that do not ... [A] sweet portrait of a mother-daughter relationship."

- School Library Journal

"Readers will be touched by the bond between mother and daughter. The illustrations are also warm and reveal the tenderness between the two."

- Booklist

"The key takeaway for us was the ability to recognize that everyone is beautiful – even if their beauty is different than ours."

- The Canadian Homeschooler

"A must read for all families and early childhood settings."

- Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database

A Loan Stars Jr. Top 10 Selection, 2022

Ontario Library Association Top Ten Best Bets List, 2022

Toronto Public Library First and Best List, 2023

A CBC Best Canadian Picture Book of 2022, 2022

American Indians in Children’s Literature Best Book of 2022, 2022

FOLD Kids Book-of-the-Month, 2023

CBC Kids Reads, 2023

Teacher Favorites Award, 2023

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Publication date

October 15, 2022

Number of pages

32

Curriculum

Personal and Social Identity

Interest age

From 3 to 7