Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan

Beautiful Black Bird by Ashley Bryan

Summary: Long ago birds came in all pretty colors, only except for Blackbird. One day Ringdove a gray bird, called all the birds, even Blackbird, to his home. Once all the birds had arrived, their reflections shimmering in the pond, Ringdove and all the other birds declared Blackbird to be the most beautiful bird because he had all the colors of the rainbow. After they had celebrated how beautiful Blackbird was , Ringdove came up to Blackbird and asked to be just like him. However, Blackbird said that who are outside does not define who you are inside, but that the next day he will make black rings on Ringdoves neck. When Ringdove got his black rings around his neck from Blackbird, he looked so beautiful that all the other birds wanted some black markings, too. That following day all the birds, of colors, came to get black markings from Blackbird, and they rejoiced at how beautiful they now were.

Review: This is a beautiful book to have in any classroom with Kindergarteners to Second graders, maybe even Third grades. This is a kind of book that I want in my classroom. Blackbird celebrates diversity and teaches kids even though someone or something may be different, that are still beautiful.