Asiimwe Humphrey

The book starts out by portraying negative stereotypes of Sulwe the child with dark skin. It develops an inaccurate impression that dark-skinned children don't like the colour of their skin and prefer being lighter from the outset. Showing Sulwe using an eraser to rub off a layer of her skin, or using her mom's makeup to cover it up or eating light food in an effort to be lighter on the outside is a gross misrepresentation of how children learn about their true identity. It swings from one extreme to another to make the point of equality, belonging, beauty and strength. I feel that young black children would find the first half of the book upsetting and unrepresentative of their real experiences.