Brown Is Warm, Black Is Bright

A long overdue book that lyrically celebrates and teaches positive associations with two of the most important colors on Earth, black and brown. Have you ever paused to savor the power and beauty of brown and black? Brown is strong as a tree and sweet as honey in tea; black is the hopeful promise of a seed and the grace of a bird in flight... and the quiet space where dreams begin.In this groundbreaking picture book, poetic text and lush imagery celebrates two essential colors that capture all the richness and depth life, love, and the natural world have to offer.

“"The verses are beautifully written.... [the] illustrations [are] soft, rich, and warm, evoking feelings of safety and calm.... Celebrates the everyday joy of Black children and their families."-- Kirkus”

"The book makes for a beautiful read-aloud.... File this under Black joy, ­childhood, autumn reveries, or pair with other celebrations of Black strength and beauty, such as Tami Charles's All Because You ­Matter and Useni Eugene Perkins's Hey Black Child."--School Library Journal
"The verses are beautifully written.... [the] illustrations [are] soft, rich, and warm, evoking feelings of safety and calm.... Celebrates the everyday joy of Black children and their families."--Kirkus

Sarah L. Thomson has written many award-winning fiction and nonfiction picture books and novels for young readers, including Wombat Underground: A Wildfire Survival Story, illustrated by Charles Santoso. The text for Brown is Warm, Black is Bright began when Sarah noticed how many picture books celebrating color fail to mention brown and black-two of the loveliest and most prevalent colors in the world. Sarah lives in Portland, Maine, and her website is

Keith Mallett is an acclaimed painter, etcher, and ceramic artist who has illustrated numerous children's books, including When Langston Dances by Kaija Langley, Sing a Song by Kelly Starling Lyons, and Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee! by Andrea J. Loney. His work has been exhibited around the world and is in corporate and private collections, and have appeared in magazines, films, and television shows. He lives in San Diego, California, and he invites you to visit his website,

A long overdue book that lyrically celebrates and teaches positive associations with two of the most important colors on Earth, black and brown. Have you ever paused to savor the power and beauty of brown and black? Brown is strong as a tree and sweet as honey in tea; black is the hopeful promise of a seed and the grace of a bird in flight... and the quiet space where dreams begin.In this groundbreaking picture book, poetic text and lush imagery celebrates two essential colors that capture all the richness and depth life, love, and the natural world have to offer.

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