Fun and empowering colouring books with natural hair for black girls and boys
Here are a few of the colouring books that I have come across recently that celebrate diversity and feature black characters.
Colouring books can be cheap and cheerful. However if you want colouring pages with black kids or natural hair then you may have to pay a bit more. The books I have chosen here are high quality products created by named authors and illustrators. Some have special features like activity and journalling pages. All are designed to be empowering.
This 64 page book is full of boys getting into things like footballs, fireflies and fishing.Cute and cheerful drawings of little dudes will encourage small guys to get the crayons out.Chiquanda also has a sweet book for girls.
It was hard to pick a favourite from this author’s appealing selection of books but I went for the STEM book as it features a multicultural cast of cute girls who cry out to be coloured in.There are also questions for the child to answer so a very endearing souvenir can be created. JD Wright has free pages to download on her site showing black kids with cool hairstyles.
My absolute favourite page in the set of images of girls with big dreams shows a woman strolling barefoot along a beach She asserts that she wants to bea mom and will foster, adopt or have her own kids.
The drawings of multicultural young women doing valuable work make this a fabulous career guidance book.Is she can do it so can I!
I’ve blogged about this book before because I just love colouring it in.Cheerful , gorgeous women with natural hair are shown in a range of activities. The drawings by Janine Harrington are printed on one side of the paper only and cry out to be framed. Crystal Swain Bates has many great books.
I was complaining about the shortage of books for boys and author Crystal Swain Bates drew my attention to this fun filled 40 pager.
Cody and Jay are two lads who love to have fun. The book has activity pages, drawings to complete and a positive celebratory attitude. Spaceships and cars feature.
As I mentioned earlier I was complaining about books for boys in Instagram and Plum Street Press drew my attention to Swift Walker – a chirpy little characters who stars in many books for the 4-8 age group. Swifts loves travel and adventure. The drawings of Swift with his natural fro and just doing a little bit of work for representation.
I have been watching this one on instagram for a while as the author jilleybeanbooksshowed off pages and details of the project. I don’t have a copy yet but I can see from the reviews that as well as havingdrawings that girls will adore, the book deals with all the topics facing girls.
What really caught my eye was the pretty pre-teen saying a prayer and having a chat with God.I was impressed as a lot of books talk about empowerment without acknowledging spirituality.
The characters from my book A Fairy in the Family Again have their own colouring book. The book was developed in London. It shows Jada-Kai, Keysha and Ruby as totally cool baby-sitters. The idea is that the child colouring the book is learning from these kind-hearted big girls about what big kids love to do. Those things include science, baby-sitting and black hair.
Get your crayons out
Girls will get to colour in pages with science, geckos, hairstyles, braids, unicorns, natural hair and even an African Princess Fancy Dress Party.
15 Big Dreamers from a wonderful Multi-cultural series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara – Vegara has turned her book production into an efficient factory of inspirational stories and loveable art. On ya go, Maria. You can ask a kid to imagine/draw themselves in this style- and ask them about their BIG dreams.
Bekki: Hello Obi and Titi. I am Bekki the Fairy. I am delighted to meet you both.
Titi: Wow, so fairies really do exist?! That is so cool!
Obi: Can you fly? I want to see, I want to see! I have a monkey called Mumu and he can talk but he can’t fly, oh!
Anyone here who can’t fly?
Titi: Obi, Mumu is no longer your monkey. Remember, he ran off and the talking thing is meant to be a secret.
*Titi rolls her eyes*
Titi: It’s really nice to meet you too Bekki. Please carry on, don’t mind him.
Bekki: Is it true your story happens in Africa in the olden historical days?
Titi: Yes, it’s based in the 15th century in a place called the Benin Kingdom.
Obi: Yes, it was a great empire which is located where present-day Nigeria is.
Bekki: This is a question for Titi. Are you really a princess?
Obi: Oh, oh! Now you’re in trouble, fairy girl. She doesn’t like being called a princess, do you Royal Princess Titilayo? Hahaha.
Titi: It’s okay. Yes, I am but I’m no different from anybody else. Obi reminds me of that every day.
Obi: Yes, I do, oh. In fact, it is my royal duty hehehe…..
Bekki: I come from London but I am a mixture of Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, Portugal and Scotland. Are you a mixture?
Obi: Nope. I’m pure Obi and she is pure Titi!
Marvel-ous!
Titi: Don’t mind him, he doesn’t know what he is talking about. Our creator wanted to mix things up a little so he gave me a Yoruba name and Obi is Igbo. Research shows that the Benin Kingdom, at the time, was very mixed as there were so many different groups of people living there from all over.
Bekki: If I did a magic spell to go to Nigeria would I be able to see the hidden Temple of Ogisu?
*Obi laughs *
Obi: Of course not, its hidden and it’s really, really hard to find, but if you grant me a couple of wishes I might show it to you.
Titi: Obi you are so rude! Don’t give him anything. You probably shouldn’t have granted him this interview. He is going to spoil it!
Adventure happens whether or not Obi and Titi want it.
Bekki: Who wrote a book about you and why?
Obi: Oh, I know this one. Can I answer? Can I?
Titi: It was Mr O T Begho and he wrote about us and our adventure for two main reasons. One was the lack of black characters in books, educational material, cartoons and games. The second was to give a more factual and positive representation of African history and culture.
Obi: I was gonna say that!
Dive in!
Bekki: Did you like having a pet monkey, Obi?
Obi: No! He is an olè!
Titi: Sorry, that means thief and he isn’t. He is just misunderstood.
Obi: Really? What about when he stole my birthday presents or the time we caught him with a bag full of gold in the temple.
Titi: Err…. maybe we should move to the next question.
Bekki: I do skipping and I like rhyming songs. Have you got any good ones to share with me, please?
Obi: I do.
I once met a fairy, that said that she could fly, But when I pushed her off a cliff, She fell straight down and
Titi: Obi stop it! *Titi covers his mouth*
Bekki: If you were a toys would you be an action hero, a cuddly plush toy or a paper doll with loads of outfits?
Titi: We would be action heroes. We really love a good adventure and somehow we’ve become quite good at getting ourselves out of trouble.
*Titi is still covering Obi’s mouth but he nods in agreement. *
Bekki: Will you be in more books?
Obi: Mr Begho has nearly finished book 6 and I think that’s the end of the series. I have big prospects though. I’m going to be in a computer game or even a movie.
Book 6 is nearly ready!
Titi: I want him to continue writing. I have an idea I want to pitch to him but Obi thinks it’s silly. Why just write about the Benin Kingdom? You see, we have this travellers pendant and it’s magical and can take us anywhere, as long as we can find Okuta dust to power it. So, we could travel to other African Kingdoms and continue our adventure there.
Obi: Boring.
Bekki: No, it’s not. Imagine all the princess dresses you would see! It has been cool talking to you, Obi and Titi. Can we be friends?
Titi: Yes, of course. I love fairies. Obi: Nope
Bekki: Shhhh, Obi! I want to tell people about your cool website.
Ahem, even though Obi and Titi are in historical books they use the most modern technology. They have games, videos, Mr Begho doing a rap and all sorts of books and things on their website, I like the photobombs! Come on Titi, let’s have a dance and sing Let it Go.
Bekki the Fairy meets Malcolm and Nia from The Magic Pencil
Bekki meets Malcolm and Nia from The Magic Pencil
Bekki: Hello Malcolm, I am Bekki the Fairy from London and it is simply, frightfully splendid to meet you. As you can see I speak like the Queen. Or should I say “Yo, Malcolm, what’s the haps?’
Malcolm:Hello there Bekki! Veddy nice to make your acquaintance.
Bekki: I love the way you talk. The words just slide out! Are you allowed to talk like that in school?
Malcolm:Thanks! Glad you appreciate and unnerstan my usin it. Naw, in school the teachers want us to speak standard English. Sometimes I get away with it if I’m havin a quiet convo with one because they know I know when not to use it! They usually know what I’m sayin too.
Don’t try to stress Malcolm, not gonna happen
Bekki: My brother Sam is very good at school but he is not cool. He says things like lickety split and jeepers creepers. Can you please help him to sound more cool?
Malcolm: Probly, but it might take a minute. That means a long time. But it can mean a short time too! A lot of the meanin of a word depends on how it’s said an in what context! An, if you can see the person, you gotta watch the way they move too. You know, understand they body language! Hey, do you see how I mix up the ways I talk together?
Bekki: I come from London but I am a mixture of Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, Portugal and Scotland. Are you a mixture?
Malcolm: I ain had my DNA done yet, haha. But I think everybody is all a – uh – “mixture”. That sounds better than sayin you “mixed”. Makes it soun like talkin about dogs. Science says we all from Africa, anyway.
Bekki:What kinds of music do you like?
Malcolm: A lot. I got an open mine. You could dig for gold an fine it in there, haha. But I do like a lot of different kinds. That’s anotha thing that’s mixed!
Bekki: Do your relatives from Jamaica like reggae music? Do you?
Malcolm: Mostly. I like it now. I had to get used to it, though. My dad plays it a lot when we ridin together. He plays a lot of the classics and even new stuff.
Bob Marley’s hair looked great on stage
Bekki: What is the best thing about your mum?
Malcolm: Awwww… Moms is great! We have our discrepancies but mostly we cool. She lets me be me as much as possible. And I respect her madly.
Bekki: I have one dad. Is it good having two?
Malcolm: Well, Mom an Jam ain married, yet. But he’s like another dad, and real fun! He got jokes! Dad is basically a standard dad. We cool an all but he don’t play unless it’s wit a soccer ball! Both a them treat me good and I always learn somethin new from em.
Bekki: I go to school in Dagenham where they used to make cars. What’s your favourite car and who is your favourite racing driver?
Malcolm: Right now, I like the Ferrari 488GTB. It got a twin-turbo 3.9-liter V-8 engine and can do 8000 rpm! It’s sweeeeeeeeet! I still like Lewis Hamilton. I like Nicole Lyons too! Bout time I found out about Black female drivers!
Bekki: What do you think of Lewis Hamilton?
Malcolm: He’s a baaaaad Brit brotha! Plus, he’s got a foundation so it makes me know he ain all bout the Benjamins – or whatever they call em where he lives. You know, the money, right?
Lewis is not bad, he’s baaaaad
Bekki: Will your mum and dad let you fuse your hair?
Malcolm: Oh, you mean grow locs? Well, I’m not a Rasta – oh, Rastafarian. That’s like a religion thang. They call theirs dreadlocks. I guess they will. Dad wants me to wait til I’m older cuz he thinks Mom won’t like em. But I think she won’t mind.
Bekki: Do you want me to do a magic spell to make your hair as long as your friend Nia’s?
Malcolm: Hahaha! Not really. I think it’ll be fun to let it do its own fusion in its own time!
Bekki: My baby-sitter Ruby saw Beyoncé when she came to London and showed me the video on her phone. Did you see Beyoncé when she sang a reggae song when she was on tour in America?
She’s global- Beyonce in Detroit
Malcolm: Nope. I only seen the videos. She’s done A LOT of reggae stuff! She’s global.
Bekki: I have a question for Nia. Nia, mum won’t let me use my magic wand to do my homework. Do you think that magic is good for homework?
Nia: Not really. It’s kind of cheating, don’t you think? You really won’t learn much more than how to use it better!
Bekki:(changing the subject quickly) I do skipping too. I like the rhyming songs. Have you got any good ones to share with me, please?
Nia: Yep! It’s the kind where you sort of run while you’re jumping. Ms. Quayle, one of my teachers, wrote the rhyme. It’s about a very smart boy named Wyatt. You say the first two parts and jump kind of fast. Then, when you say the third part you go really fast and stomp as you jump. Then you do the same steps for the next three parts. Everyone sings: “Quiet Wyatt! The grow folk say When-I-get-into-their-talking. You’re being smart, Now run and play. I-shake-my-head-as-I-start-walking.”
Bekki: I like rhyming. In London some people use Cockney rhyming slang. It is like a puzzle that you have to work out. So if I say ‘A cup of Rosie’ it means ‘a cup of tea’. Because Rosie Lee rhymes with tea! Can you guess what a syrup is? I’ll give you a clue – it goes on a bald man’s head!*
Malcolm: Uhhhhhhhhh, a stirrup?
Nia: Hmmm. A maple leaf!
Malcolm & Nia (in unison): Who’s right?
Bekki: Hee hee, nobody is right- a syrup is a wig – it rhymes with syrup of figs. But most wig shops don’t use that word so don’t make a fool of yourself!
Don’t ask for a syrup in this Brixton shop.
Bekki: If the Pencil Fairy said she would give you whatever pencils you wanted what kind would you ask for? And what would you use them for?
Malcolm: A mechanical one with a never-ending lead and self- regenerating, not-smeary eraser. Plus, I can tell it to make its lead thicker or thinner, darker or lighter and harder or softer! That way I could use it for everything!
Nia: I guess the same thing would work for me. But I’d want mine to also change the lead’s color!
Bekki: My favourite teacher is Miss Treacle because she is kind and funny. She teaches science to my baby-sitters and to my brother, Sam. Who is your favourite teacher and why?
Nia: Oh, I love Ms. Winston. She is the perfect educator! But I also love Mr. Skye. I help him with the kindergarten kids. He is soooo wise and kind.
Malcolm: Hey Ms. Smarty, you sposed to name only one. I think mine’s Ms. Winston too because she keeps us learning and understands I get bored a lot. But Ms. Kady, the sub, is cool too. She makes things real excitin! I think she’s a chameleon cuz she changes up when she gotstuh!
Nia: You “sposed to name ON-LY one”, boy!
Malcolm: OK. Then I name ME. I teach my self to learn, gurl!
Bekki: Nia, what do you like about Malcolm?
Nia: Malcolm is a great friend; understanding and … loyal.
Nia is never boring…but who is she?
Bekki: And Malcolm what do you like about Nia?
Malcolm: Uh, she’s OK. Hahaha! Fa real, Nia is intriguing; never boring.
Bekki: Who wrote a book about you guys and why?
Malcolm & Nia: (in unison) Ms. Karen E. Dab-ney!
Malcolm: Well, she wants to get kids to read who may not know the fun part of it and she doesn’t think they have to stop talking one way to talk another way.
Nia: She likes to say “Teach and Lead. Reach and Read!” That means a teacher needs to figure out how to encourage children to want to read by figuring out what they need!
Bekki: Will you be in more books?
Malcolm: Oh, yeah. “Play Mom”, that’s what we call Ms. Dabney, is trying to decide what we will be doing next.
Nia: I think she wants to have us save the world! Maybe one book at a time.
Bekki: It has been marvellously, splendid and a’ight talking to you, Malcolm and Nia. Can we be friends?
Malcolm: Call me Malc. An, yeah. You gotta teach us some magical stuff, though.
Nia: Of course, we can, Bekki! Don’t pay any attention to Malcolm. I can tell he likes you! And I do too.
Bekki: C’mon, I’ll show you my wand.
Time to See The Books:
Do you want to read about Malcolm and Nia and learn code-switchin to talk like Malc?
Malcolm and Nia appear in the book The Magic Pencil. Click on the title or pic to see the book on Amazon. You can look inside the book too!
And Malcolm is on the cover of a book called The Magic Pencil Black Language Glossary. This cool book will teach you to speak Black English – take all the un-nessry letters out of your words and just flow. Try it…it might change how you feel about words. Malcolm will guide you. Get learnin
check this out to learn about conversatin and communicatin – it’s what it’s all about
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017 (1/27/18) is in its 5th year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators.
Front cover of The Elephant and the King by Sylvia Medina
My Book
I was given my book by our sponsor Green Kids Club. They create gorgeous colourful picture books to teach children about the planet, its ecosystems and the creatures who live here. My book is one of a series where two children Maya and Victor drink water from The Green Spring and are granted the ability to talk to animals.
So, are you ready to pay attention?
I am going to:
-tell you what I think about the book
-tell you my idea for an activity to encourage reading
-tell you about the Twitter party
-tell you where you can go to find more books about our fabulous planet.
My book review
Series:Green Kids Club
Age: 7 upwards
Source: Sylvia M Medina (author)
This colourful book is gentle in tone and charming in its illustrative style. This means it is able to deliver a tough message without upsetting even a sensitive child. Victor and Maya are visiting Botswana and meeting their friend Maatla when Maya asks to see an elephant,
An innocent request
Maya’s desire to see an elephant worries her friend Maatla as he is aware that the elephants are under attack from poachers. The children learn that there are people who will kill an elephant to take the tusks. Tusks are a unique substance for carving and they are valuable in Asia. (Woolly mammoths had tusks too and you don’t see many of them about. )
Weeeell. maybe
Maatla takes the children to look for elephants and, inevitably, drama and excitement follow. Maya and Victor have magic powers that allow them to help animals and those powers can be shared with. Maatla is given the same gift and he is stupefied when he can suddenly hear animals speaking. The ending is a happy one but pages of facts at the back of the book open children’s eyes to an unpleasant situation going on in the world right now.
If you read this book to your children you mighy tell them that public opinion persuaded the Chinese to ban the sale of ivory. Young eco-warriors need messages of hope. Despite the poachers’ activities, this book gives a strong sense of that Africa’s animals are precious and valued.
This is the first and only book I have read from this series. Animal lovers will find many more on Amazon.
My activity to encourage reading
Remember I said I had an activity? OK, here is my book gift package idea.
The story about the baby elephant in danger got me thinking. And when kids start thinking they want to play. How about when you go to Amazon to buy this book head on over to the page where they sell African animals. It is called Schleich and they have all the animals from The Elephant and the King.
You can act out the exciting scenes where the baby elephant is in danger and the lion and the other animals get involved.
I want to be Maya. You can be a warthog.
The Twitter party?
Join in by typing #ReadYourWorld
TWITTER PARTY Sponsored by Scholastic Book Clubs: MCBD’s super-popular (and crazy-fun) annual Twitter Party will be held 1/27/18 at 9:00pm.
Join the conversation and win one of 12-5 book bundles and one Grand Prize Book Bundle (12 books) that will be given away at the party! http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/twitter-party-great-conversations-fun-prizes-chance-readyourworld-1-27-18/
You want more great books – start with great publishers.
Where? Here! These guys have sponsored us because they care about Multicultural books enough to publish them.
2018 MCBD Medallion Sponsors HONORARY: Children’s Book Council, Junior Library Guild PLATINUM:Scholastic Book Clubs GOLD:Audrey Press, Candlewick Press, Loving Lion Books, Second Story Press, Star Bright Books, Worldwide Buddies SILVER:Capstone Publishing, Author Charlotte Riggle, Child’s Play USA, KidLit TV, Pack-n-Go Girls, Plum Street Press BRONZE: Barefoot Books, Carole P. Roman, Charlesbridge Publishing, Dr. Crystal Bowe, Gokul! World, Green Kids Club, Gwen Jackson, Jacqueline Woodson, Juan J. Guerra, Language Lizard, Lee & Low Books, RhymeTime Storybooks, Sanya Whittaker Gragg, TimTimTom Books, WaterBrook & Multnomah, Wisdom Tales Press
2018 Author Sponsors Honorary Author Sponsors: Author/Illustrator Aram Kim and Author/Illustrator Juana Medina Author Janet Balletta, Author Susan Bernardo, Author Carmen Bernier-Grand, Author Tasheba Berry-McLaren and Space2Launch, Bollywood Groove Books, Author Anne Broyles, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw, Author Eugenia Chu, Author Lesa Cline-Ransome, Author Medeia Cohan and Shade 7 Publishing, Desi Babies, Author Dani Dixon and Tumble Creek Press, Author Judy Dodge Cummings, Author D.G. Driver, Author Nicole Fenner and Sister Girl Publishing, Debbi Michiko Florence, Author Josh Funk, Author Maria Gianferrari, Author Daphnie Glenn, Globe Smart Kids, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Author Quentin Holmes, Author Esther Iverem, Jennifer Joseph: Alphabet Oddities, Author Kizzie Jones, Author Faith L Justice , Author P.J. LaRue and MysticPrincesses.com, Author Karen Leggett Abouraya, Author Sylvia Liu, Author Sherri Maret, Author Melissa Martin Ph.D., Author Lesli Mitchell, Pinky Mukhi and We Are One, Author Miranda Paul, Author Carlotta Penn, Real Dads Read, Greg Ransom, Author Sandra L. Richards, RealMVPKids Author Andrea Scott, Alva Sachs and Three Wishes Publishing, Shelly Bean the Sports Queen, Author Sarah Stevenson, Author Gayle H. Swift Author Elsa Takaoka, Author Christine Taylor-Butler, Nicholette Thomas and MFL Publishing Author Andrea Y. Wang, Author Jane Whittingham Author Natasha Yim
We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.
Don’t forget the teachers
Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: http://bit.ly/1kGZrta
Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/
Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.
I am delighted to have been asked to review The Elephant and the King for Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2018. Look out for #MCBD on social media or click on the pic for their blog.
Front cover of The Elephant and the King by Sylvia Medina
Geeky Mikita was very flattered to be invited to do an interview for the STEMINIST website.
Brainiac baby-sitter Geeky Mikita
The STEMINIST website interviews women who work in STEM. If you ever wondered what jobs a girl might do in Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths then have a look at some of the things these women get up to. You are gonna be impressed- and maybe even a little bit envious but inspired too!
Just for example; Melissa works with sharks. Judith went to Jordan to teach girls about water in their environment, Islin is a “weather junkie” in Alaska and she has very good advice for girls picking a career,
Here is Mikita’s quote about her heroes:
“Stephen Hawking is an impressive multi-tasker and so is Beyonce. Stephen Hawking is a cosmologist as well as a theoretical physicist and Beyonce is a mum as well as a musical genius. They are like me cos I had to babysit and do my homework at the same time.”
I have always loved long curly hair and as a teenager I used to draw girls with flowing tresses (we did not have he phrase “slayed tresses” in Ireland back then). My own hair is fine, uber-straight and incapable of holding any kind of curl or kink. So drawing curls was the closest I got. And photographing Barbies for BlackHair magazine.
But not everyone who is capable of curls wears their hair curly. There are plenty of reasons for that – which I won’t go into here – but part of it has to do with confidence.
If you think your child might be a naturalista who would like to wear their hair in a natural afro then a book featuring BIG HAIR might guide their journey. When kids are young it’s all about self-image and empowerment. And that’s where books come in. Some books are not specifically about hair but feature a character with a natural style. Most are in the 3 and upwards age-range.
So let’s go. Here is a list of the Top 15 best big hair books for children.
1.Big Hair Don’t Care by Crystal Swain-Bates Most of my book choices feature a child of African descent living outside of Africa and therefore surrounded by European hair. In this book a chirpy little girl faces that situation head on with her poem.
“I’ve got big hair and I don’t care And even though the kids may stare I lift my hands up in the air And smile and say… I love my hair”
I’m mentioning Crystal Swain-Bates again because she has made natural hair something of a cause. Let Amazon guide you to books like Naturally Me, Black Fairy Tales, SuperMommy and many others where the covers depict fabulous fulsome black hair
This book has a sister book called Daddy Do My Hair-Hope’s Braids. Art is by Rahima Begun. The author does book readings around London and has her very own blog called My Long Hair Journey.
This book has a Jamaican little girl with Afro puffs on the cover. On the back cover the same girl in her contemporary clothes is seen slapping away happily on African drums. As part of the Irish diaspora I appreciate books that make other people feel at home in all the countries they identify with.
The companion The Alphabet with Bella has artwork of her taking part in what I think is the Notting Hill Carnival waving her British and Jamaican flags and wearing a glorious feather crown. Art is by Katlego Kgabale(Illustrator)
Check out the gorgeous mother in this book with her skinny jeans and natural fro. There is a sweet picture off the little girl sleeping with her hair in a silk scarf as she dreams of an exiting future visiting the Paris, Cuba and Africa. Daveia Odoi is the illustrator.
The author made up this bedtime story to give her daughter, Paris, pride in her hair. the little girl had noticed her hair was different from her schoolmates so mom stepped in! Tyrus Goshay is the Illustrator.
This is my only book with a boy on the cover. (I’ll fix that when I do my blog about books with locs and braids). Mike is always answering questions about being mixed. He knows he’s perfect because this is what his parents say:
Mom and Dad say I’m a blend of dark and light: “We mixed you perfectly, and got you just right.”
There was very little by way of a preview on Amazon so I hopped over to the author’s website – This small and carefully curated site is a delight , well worth a look. It has elegant, girlie art, three dancing bunny rabbits, prints for hanging and a colouring book. And Mechal ships to Europe.
My own book has a strong theme of natural hair. The lead character Bekki the Fairy has a crazy do (don’t ask) but the hairstyle you see most in the book is the loose natural style of Geeky Mikita the genius baby-sitter. I updated the cover to add more of the baby-sitters.
Afrovisibility on the front cover
The stylist gave Mikita a grey streak in honour of Albert Einstein. The other models wore their hair as they always had done – I hade worked with the models for years pior and each girl brought her own style – braids for Ruby, natural for Jada-Kai and with extensions for Keysha.
At the back of the book a real life scientist, Mumbi, talked about black hair and gave all the baby-sitters hair advice. There are jobs for female scientists in the hair industry. Black women entrepreneurs played big role in the products we have today. In amongst all the silly scenes in my book is sneaky positive message!
This book really is ‘last but not least’. Urbantoons started following me on Instagram just as I was finishing up this blog. I’m happy he did! He hails from Mali and has wonderful items (dashikis and hi-tops!) on his website celebrating ethnicity, identity and the spread of multiculturalism.
I have an addition to make. I was caught on the hop in a radio chat about Barbie. It was around the time of the movie and the financial value of Barbie was a hot topic. I was asked about the expensive Barbies that people might have in their attics and so on. I realised that I need to find out more about expensive Barbies. So I will. Meanwhile, this doll is a good example of a collector doll who will surely appreciate in value.
Tribal Beauty Barbie
This doll by Carlyle Nuera is another stunning example of the Pazette face sculpt being used to dramatic effect on. black doll. Of all the Global Glamour Collection dolls she is the one hitting the highest price on ebay – up to 300 dollars and more. I suspect that hispanice and black girls who did not have the dolly they wanted when they were young, will grow up to treat themselves to beautful collectors dolls.
The dolls that grow in value are often the “unusual” ones and the zebra shoes and staff make this doll more unique than the other beauties in the set with more conventional gowns. Invest!
Mermaid dolls – what can I say? I will be adding to my post about black mermaids like Mermaid High and MerMaze. This pretty doll is Oceanna, a Mermaid High member of a girl gang with legs and skirt and unique face paint.
I have started a mermaid post already and I will dd as many new brands as I can find- beyond the usual Disney and Mattel are some excellent new doll makers. Doll are coming from TV shows and games and the faces and articulated bodies and endless accessories make them vert attractive to kids and adult. Below is an affiliate link so I get a commission if you but – the post has other sources besides Amazon too. Shop local!
Madama CJ Walker- Nichelle sculpt
A beautiful new doll by Carlyle Nuera- available to buy to members of Barbie Signature/Mattel Creations. People pay a 10 dollar subscription to see new dolls first.
I am planning to rewrite this blog as it needs a tidy up . I probably over do Barbie cos I love her. I probably overdo Amazon because I live in Ireland and black dolls from our neighbours the US and UK can be pricey after Brexit.
I would always advise you to support local toyshops and small businesses and local sellers so I’ll be researching local doll makers. I also want to write more about the amazing dolls coming out of Korea and China and Japan. I have a Blythe blog planned.
But for now, here’s a beautiful new retro Barbie from the Mattel Creations site.
An 80 sthrowback beautiful black Barbie doll
Good news for Madame Alexander dolls
The Madame Alexander story has taken a turn for the better. There is a whole new set of Mme Alexander dolls and the collection has diversity. Have a look here at the Madame Alexander Company’s new site. New owners, makers of girls’ clothing for four genertions, have given this much loved brand new life. In my blog have written about Zola.
Peekaboos – part of the trend for animal hats on dolls
Watch out for the Fashionistas
The Barbie Fashionistas are a constantly updated line of male and female dolls of many different colours and shapes and sizes. This year has seen some very lovely blacks dolls – 185 is pictured above. Adult collectors grab the new dolls and give them new made-to-move bodies. It is easy to miss the black dolls so I’ll just flag up three very fine dolls here. Above is Fashionista 185. Below are 186 and the blonde Afro fashionista.
185 and 186 are two fab Fashionistas
You can be lucky and see these in an ordinary toy shop. You will surely see them on Instagram so my advice is to move quickly and buy before they become rare.
The secret to finding the amazing Barbie and Ken by Bill Greening – Elle and Jon
In the UK and Ireland we know that sometimes we miss out on dolls from the US. I am grateful to the staffer from Mattel UK who explained the secret club for Barbie lovers. The Mattel Creations site lets customers buy special editions from Mattel brands like Barbie, Monster High, Hot Wheels and more. If you want Jon or Elle, this is the best way to get them. Amazon and Ebay are the other option but for a ten dollar fee you get access to these African-identity dolls. I am not saying African-American as I can see from social media that European collectors identify with Elle and Jon too.
The best words for searching for beautiful black Barbie dolls
Are you still looking?
Yes, we know that Amazon has many hidden treasures when it comes to black Barbie dolls, especially when it comes for finding a specal gift for a special someone. I will share a few words that helped me to find exquisite dols.
A beautiful doll in a stunning gown can make a memorable present for. a child. The Barbie brand is huge and Barbie’s looks are many.
Here are some useful terms to find a gift-worthy black barbie
AA – this means African American, it will be in the product description and a black girl in London will feel the doll could be British. On Amazon UK, the term brunette is helpful if you want to see black dolls.
Collectible – if you use the phrase “Collectible AA Barbie” you will find some amazing dolls, some who date back from the late nineties onwards such as the doll above. Tip- Scroll down! Look who i just found; Tangerine twist is a doll with history.
Birthday – the Birthday Barbies are a great source of stunning dolls.
Signature AA Barbie will give a mixture of dressy and sporty dolls.
Collector doll – Slightly different words bring up slightly different dolls. The words brunette and curvy are helpful.
Are you still looking?
Holiday and Happy Holidays – add AA and Barbie and here again you will see new and old dolls with different facial sculpts. If you are new to this, be aware hat AA Barbie has many faces.
Keep an eye on the price tags. Searching in this way will throw up some rare and pricey dolls. All Barbies are made with love so find a face and dress you love and don’t be afraid to go back a few years.
Warning- some dolls are for adult collectors, avoid typing in words like Bob Mackie AA Barbie as you may be tempted to buy for yourself.
she’s not for the kid, she’s for me!
Nordstrom website has a rare black doll – Always Be Kind Maya
I think I know you!
The Nordstrom website is one of very few stockists of Maya, a doll who may be familiar to collectors. There are usually amazing woman behind dolls and in this case it is the doll artist Dianna Effner and Ruby Red, a entrepreneur from Shanghai/Hong Kong. I will tell their stories another time. For now I will show you where to find to Always Be Kind Maya who is one of the Ruby Red Fashion Friends set of five high quality dolls with limited distribution.
Rainbow High black dolls are on sale now- be quick
The Rainbow High dolls will be everywhere this Christmas, I expect. My mum already has hers. The range is big and each series has new characters. In terms of black dolls, Sunny Madison was the first black girl and her skin tone was light. Since then other dolls have been added with a range of skin tones. Daria Roselyn has dark skin and bright pink hair. Krystal Bailey has Indigo hair.
Hurry if you want Krystal for Christmas
Krystal is pictured in the doll house image below. In the UK I recommend Bentzens Emporium as they get in American dolls who can be hard to find in the usual places. I’m advising you, move quickly! The dolls are amazing with glass eyes, long hair and two complete fashions (that will fit Barbie) in the box. They are deservedly popular. Amazon links are below [ they are affiliate links – I have put in the colouring book too.
Super sweet Sibahle Collection black girl dolls from South Africa
I am delighted to have a new London supplier of beautiful black dolls. The Sibahle Collectionfrom South Africa is available through Etsy and they have many totally PRECIOUS versions of what I call the Bontle doll. The dolls is a 13 inch little girl play doll. This facial sculpt is especially sweet and I have seen her on sale from different sellers. And this version is magnificent!
African girls from the City of London
The selection of dolls available at Sibahle Collection on Etsy is very Afro-Centric. The range of skin tones and colours is very “London”, and representative of black kids ranging from light to dark. African names and bright African prints give this selection of dolls a strong cultural identity. Lovely Christmas presents.
Correction! I said they were from London, in fact these dolls are from South Africa manufactured in Spain, and were developed to showcase Afro hair. I will link here to a video where one of the founders tells the story. Johannesburg is where Bontle comes from and I will fill in the details later today. This is a black hair, representation and doll story.
Who loves babies we love babies
I am adding a very cute website full of sweet babies. It is called Black Baby Dolls. I only just saw them on Facebook and you can have a look at their huge collection of babies here.
Little boy dolls an lots of them
Mattel has launched the 2021 Holiday Barbies with a
Holiday Barbie 2021 shows off her silver
Mattel’s Barbie’s Signature shop is a good place to be right now. The news this month is the vintage reissue dolls – Superstar Christie and Malibu Christie. But Mattel is also thinking ahad to Christmas (they say holidays) and the 2021 Holiday barbies have landed.
Have a look here to see Letitia, Sutton, Elsie, Diana and Blythe. Kelly, Bess and Saskia, Tracey and Eliot as well as Tisha and Archibald. Yuusef. Dallas and July all have heartbeats.
As far as a I know these dolls are very new and I have not seen on in real plastic life. I can see two sources for buying these dolls online and I will share them here. I don’t collect baby dolls usually so the brand is new to me.
Truly reborn Baby with a heartbeat sound
I can see two different sources for these dolls. There is Truly Reborn Dolls who sell silicone dolls – beautifully painted and dressed. Have a look at the website because it is interesting to know how dolls come about.
In the About Us section this company seems to take quality very seriously. The paint jobs are very good. This blog is about black dolls so here is the link for African America dolls and they are delightful. If you love baby dolls, have a look at these babies, twins and toddlers. Like I said, I am not a baby doll collector so i cannot say if the face sculpt is the same for all babies, but it these days of face-ups and repaints, I think a collector would be very happy with the African American dolls
I will also mention and link to the Zero Pam Store’s baby doll on Amazon. This little sweetie does not have the heatrbeat but she comes via Amazon which some people like for valuable dolls. And look, it is the same baby face. Most Zero Pams are light skinned so I looked hard to find this special doll.
Zero Pam baby girl
Hurry- grab this Ken while you can
Barbie has done it again. Here is another toy that goes beyond being “just a doll”. This male doll with a newly sculpted African American face and a braids and bun hairstyle is pre-selling out fast on Amazon. He is already showing up on eBay. Most ebay sellers are from the US and many are willing to ship abroad. Thanks!
This doll has just shown up with all the other LOOKS doll on barbie.com. Have a look at the photography! He has not come to Amazon UK , yet.
If you are in Europe and looking on Amazon then the full title of this Ken doll is “Barbie Signature Looks Ken Doll (Brunette with Braids & Bun Hairstyle)”. He was designed by Bob Greening. he has and a sturdy articulated body- ideal for posing for photos. He sold out on Amazon and is back now. Hurry, this guy will appreciate in value and, money aside, he is a beautiful doll. When is the last time that dear old Kenneth Sean Carson was this in-demand?
So Hot So Cool
I am very happy to have found a source for this extraordinary black doll – he is Adonis from JHD Fashion dolls. It took some detective work to find out where to buy this doll but look at him! Isn’t he extraordinary.
My blog gets seen in the UK as well as in the US so I will share the results of my UK treasure hunt with you. Some dolls are only available through dealers and for Irish and UK ccollectors this can be frustrating as we wait for a doll to appear on ebay – or do without. That’s why i was delighted to find Simon ‘s Dollstoysngifts. Simon is in Britain and has made a number of fabulous dolls available. He has American Girl, I’m a Girly Girl and Barbie – all ranges that include black toys.
Adonis is notable because of his dramatic look. He is a 1/6 scale figure. I said this would make him a good Barbie boyfriend but perhaps one of the Integrity Toys dolls would suit him better.
The dollstoysngifts site has scooped up dolls from conventions and other places and if you see something you like, move quickly. He also has t-shirts for doll lovers!
I’m now going to link to the parent site to share a list of US dealers. I found Adonis by google So Hot So Cool and that let me to Mizi Doll and JHD Fashion Doll – if you click this link it should bring you to more familiar names. Barbie collectors may know Marl & B already. Adonis may be Hard To Find but that’s all part of the fun.
GlamourOz
Introducing a stunning new doll from Australia. Bindi Merinda is one of six dolls by GlamorOZ dolls – she is a Australian Aborigine 18inch figure and has featurred in the Black Dolls Rock Facebook page. Look to see how Son of Ellis has styled her. She can be bought on the GlamourOZ Dolls site.
Meet Bindi Merinda
I will add an Amazon link to a phenomenal new doll – Dr Maya Angelou. I will blog in detail later but this doll is selling fast so here is an Amazon link. The doll has been selling at speed from Target and Walmart. Her price has jumped on Amazon but I think this is down to her massive popularity. Collectors love her but imagine introducing a child to Maya Angelou. I have written about collectors’ reactions to the Maya doll here.
The Skipper babysitters Inc range is doing some very appealing little baby sets at the moment – babies with accessories, babies with sitters and many more. The sets have huge appeal for little kids who want to add babies and toddlers to their Barbie family as well as Instagrammers decorating thier nursery diaramas.
The sets starts at low prices andshow that Mattel are always trying to lets lkids of all colours see themselves in their dolls. This baby is a very affordable little addition to a toy box.
American Girl – a very important doll
This doll is an institution. An 18 inch doll, telling America’s history, herstory and modern stories through dolls and books. As I understand it the doll even has her own shops in the US and the website is. lavish production. So for US readers, you do not need me to tell you about AmercanGirl.com . For anyone in Europe, I am happy to say I have found a dealer in the UK. Dollstoysngifts has some of the 35 anniversary dolls available. I will do a mini blog about Dollstoysngifts as the owner Simon has a good eye for black dolls
Detroit doll- Melody
American Girl appears on Amazon in many books and some dolls but she was bought by Mattel and she has very very own lavish website. Addy was the first black doll and she has been reissued for the 35 year anniversary. The dolls are making Herstory with accurate high quality reissues of the original dolls who come with their own proper storybooks. The WellieWishers and Bitty Babies are part of the brand too.
Watcha doin’ in the UK, Miss Addy?
My latest mini blog featured a bridal doll from the Barbie shop on Amazon. She is. not listed as a bride but as Barbie 60th Anniversary doll. Here is a beautiful bridal doll for adults or kids.. I have done a mini blog about what makes her special and later I will do a blog about her very lovely face sculpt names “Mbili”. That face was used in the recreation of the first black Barbie from 40 years ago.
Are we saying yes to the dress?
Special facial sculpts often feature on early Holiday Barbies.
Why would you buy an old Holiday Barbie? This doll is from 2011 and I love her. The gown has an Irish vibe to it. Is she an Afro-Irish girl?
2011 doll with a rare face mould –
Head over to my micro blog about a doll I had been ignoring – L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Fashion Dolls -I will add details later today of this Doll of the Year winner.
Do you know what a blind bag i? These big eyed ladies slipped under my radar but kids love ’em.
Surprises! – and lots of themOwning the look
This Black Label Puma Barbie doll came out in 2018 and i will use her to make a point about buying dolls online. I have removed the Amazon affiliate link as she went to 300 dollars and then sold out!
This doll is on ebay and the prices are between 150 and 300. She is a spectacular doll. I have done. a micro blog on Puma Barbie to point out her unique features – a rare facial sculpt, exceptional clothing design, the link with Puma and the fully articulated body. And she’s just gorgeous!
A new curvy doll – Wildhearts Crew
I am putting in this affiliate link as this Birthday Barbie is so pretty- this blog is about finding dolls that are doing their bit inclusion, big and small companies, UK and US and one Dutch. We cannot ignore Amazon’s contribution. Support local shops where possible but Barbie doll collectors can source hard-to-find girls on Amazon.
This doll has the super sweet Shani sculpt, a much loved face used by Kitty Black Perkins. Carlyle Nuera designed this doll with her the pink-to-lilac ombre dress.
Shimmery and pearly
A musical theatre Disney Halloween black Werewolf doll with natural curly, coily hair – Willa Lykensen played by Chandler Kinney makes a notable doll even if you don’t watch Zombies 2.
A singing dancing werewolf
Disney’s Willa Lykensen doll is Barbie sized doll – almost an action figure – but the attention to detail- moonstone necklace and rock chick clothing make her a gorgeous doll for collectors as well as kids. Mattel must have had some fun with the styling here – just look at hose tats! I have done a mini blog about Willa here.
While researching the Zombies I came a across a fabulous UK store Bentzens Emporium who create mini videos to showcase their dolls. Here is a link to their Zombies videos on YouTube
is Chelsea on Santa’s sleigh? Better be!
Anyone who knows me probably knows that I own far too many dolls for someone of my age. My collection of Christie, Wesley, Madison, Nikki and other black Barbie dolls is being taken out of the cupboard for self-isolation.
Below are two notable dolls of 2020, the Fresh Squad men and the Yara Shahidi. I will say more in my mini blogs.
Cooler than Ken
Today I am showing the most representative doll on the market. The dollpreneurs who develop black dolls love it when a parent says “My daughter loves the doll. It looks just like her.” Well how about a doll that IS her.
Budsies
For the people who ready my blog here’s a tip off. The people at Budsies are taking orders now for their custom dols where you send in a pic and get a doll make in your likeness. The dolls are plush dolls and the artist s need tome to physically make them. This is Christmas gift pricing – around the 100 dollars mark but if you want to show a girl a dolly that is everything she dreams of being then this will deliver the WOW factor. I will micro blo about this soon. I am saying hurry.
The ultimate representative doll – Budsies
Diverse Dolls 4 All
This is a UK site with the mix of dolls you’d expect from the UK. The company names its black dolls with care and respect. As a writer I loved that Malorie Blackman has a doll named in her honour.
Princess Tiana’s cosy look from the Wreck it Ralph sequel
Princess Tiana is an important doll – if we are talking about representation then that powerful group of Disney Princess really needs to have a black member.
The smallest of girls can cuddle a plush Tiana doll and the Disney company has the might to provide Princess Tiana as a black doll for al ages. She matters.
Tiana’s look from The Frog Prince
There are multiple Tiana dolls so I will just note this new comfy Tiana with natural curly, coily hair. She has always had an up do but the natural hair movement inspired a new approach to the doll’s hair.
I found this site when i was looking for Zuree the Patwa talking doll. Kunaka Kids has a fabulous mix of “African and Caribbean Inspired” accessories, stationery, book and, of course, dolls. There is even a music box with a tiny Nia ballerina! Very desirable and cute!
Nia Bellerina music box
The the doll range is extensive. The African dolls have African names and clothing and come in many different sizes – soft rags dolls, Barbie sized girls and sturdy little girl dolls. I will highlight the 14.5 inch Molemo dolls, proudly wearing their tribal colours- Xhosa, Ndebele and more.
The Zuree doll with her fiesty Jamaican voice box can be seen and heard here. She comes from London but I suspect her heart is in Jamaica.
These flashy 12inch dolls are beloved by adult collectors. The collections of high end fashion dolls include the Ru Paul doll. The Fashion Royalty collection, which is updated every year, has dramatic characters with names like Dasha D’Amboise and Baroness Agnes Von Weiss.
The e-Book version has taken many, many hours, days and weeks to make. Believe me, you cannot just press a button to turn square pages into rectangular ones. I think the e-Book looks amazing and I’ll be posting when I do my free giveaway on Kindle.
Bekki the Fairy is looking forward to chatting to Malcolm Bakersfield and his pal Nia, the new girl in school. Malcolm is an African American boy and Bekki thinks he has the most coolest ever, ever way of talking.
