Tan to Tamarind

Poems About the Color Brown
By Malathi Michelle Iyengar, Jamel Akib
Paperback: $11.95

A poetry collection that explores the spectrum of beautiful shades of brown.

Description

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Tan, sienna, topaz, or tamarind? Poet Malathi Michelle Iyengar sees a whole spectrum of beautiful shades of brown. Swirls of henna decorate ocher hands and feet at an Indian wedding. Cinnamon lips smile over a cup of café con leche. And maple leaves drift like stars onto upturned russet faces in fall.

This warm and inviting poetry collection helps young readers discover that no matter what your skin tone, every shade is beautiful. Jamel Akib’s pastel illustrations bring the richness of brown to vivid, varied life.

About the Creators

Malathi Michelle Iyengar

Malathi Iyengar is a poet, writer, and teacher. She currently teaches at a public elementary school where she is happy to see lots of beautiful brown faces every day. Malathi lives in Los Angeles, California.

Jamel Akib

Jamel Akib is an award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in several picture books as well as in numerous museum and gallery shows in England, including several Best of British Illustration exhibitions. A full-time illustrator of English and Malaysian ancestry, Akib now lives with his family in Salisbury, England.

Awards

  • Américas Award Commended Title

    Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs

Reviews

  • "This exploration of the diversity within the spectrum of brown is a lovely tribute to the color."

    - School Library Journal
  • "Brown is beautiful in all its shades of skin color and in what children see, feel, taste, smell, and touch everywhere. . . The joyful graphic details range from the ocher-brown mehendi design on an Indian bride's hands to an adobe home on the windswept desert. In a note, Iyengar remembers hating her brown skin as a child; her book shows how lucky she feels now."

    - Booklist
  • "A joyful celebration of all sorts of brown-tinted skin colors."

    - The Bloomsbury Review
  • "Iyengar's poetry trickles down in sweetness like golden brown honey in the sunlight and makes it clear, without protest, that brown is simply beautiful."

    - Paper Tigers

Paperback

  • ISBN 9780892394128
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size 9.75 × 8.25 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9780892392278
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Poetry / General
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / Diversity & Multicultural
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Social Topics / Friendship
  • Themes African / African American / Black, Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Biracial / Multiracial, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Colors, Comparing / Classifying / Measuring, Cultural Diversity, Empathy / Compassion, Families, Five Senses / Body Parts, Gratitude, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Multiple Ethnicities Represented, Muslim, Nonfiction, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Poetry, Pride, Respect / Citizenship, Similarities and Differences, Tolerance / Acceptance
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 11
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 6
  • Guided Reading Q
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 6
  • Lexile Code NP
  • Reading Level Grades 3 - 4
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 68
      African American English Collection Grades 3-6
      Collection of 68 books: $966.60

      441 in stock

    • 202
      Fluent English
      Collection of 202 books: $2,450.80