Same Family Different Colors

Weaving together personal stories, history, and analysis, Same Family, Different Colors explores the myriad ways skin-color politics affect family dynamics in the United States. Colorism and color bias—the preference for or presumed superiority of people based on the color of their skin—is a pervasive and damaging but rarely openly discussed phenomenon. In this unprecedented book, Lori L. Tharps explores the issue in African American, Latino, Asian American, and mixed-race families and communities by weaving together personal stories, history, and analysis. The result is a compelling portrait of the myriad ways skin-color politics affect family dynamics in the United States. Tharps, the mother of three mixed-race children with three distinct skin colors, uses her own family as a starting point to investigate how skin-color difference is dealt with. Her journey takes her across the country and into the lives of dozens of diverse individuals, all of whom have grappled with skin-color politics and speak candidly about experiences that sometimes scarred them. From a Latina woman who was told she couldn’t be in her best friend’s wedding photos because her dark skin would “spoil” the pictures, to a light-skinned African American man who spent his entire childhood “trying to be Black,” Tharps illuminates the complex and multifaceted ways that colorism affects our self-esteem and shapes our lives and relationships. Along with intimate and revealing stories, Tharps adds a historical overview and a contemporary cultural critique to contextualize how various communities and individuals navigate skin-color politics. Groundbreaking and urgent, Same Family, Different Colors is a solution-seeking journey to the heart of identity politics, so that this more subtle “cousin to racism,” in the author’s words, will be exposed and confronted.

Weaving together personal stories, history, and analysis, Same Family, Different Colors explores the myriad ways skin-color politics affect family dynamics in the United States. Colorism and color bias—the preference for or presumed superiority of people based on the color of their skin—is a pervasive and damaging but rarely openly discussed phenomenon. In this unprecedented book, Lori L. Tharps explores the issue in African American, Latino, Asian American, and mixed-race families and communities by weaving together personal stories, history, and analysis. The result is a compelling portrait of the myriad ways skin-color politics affect family dynamics in the United States. Tharps, the mother of three mixed-race children with three distinct skin colors, uses her own family as a starting point to investigate how skin-color difference is dealt with. Her journey takes her across the country and into the lives of dozens of diverse individuals, all of whom have grappled with skin-color politics and speak candidly about experiences that sometimes scarred them. From a Latina woman who was told she couldn’t be in her best friend’s wedding photos because her dark skin would “spoil” the pictures, to a light-skinned African American man who spent his entire childhood “trying to be Black,” Tharps illuminates the complex and multifaceted ways that colorism affects our self-esteem and shapes our lives and relationships. Along with intimate and revealing stories, Tharps adds a historical overview and a contemporary cultural critique to contextualize how various communities and individuals navigate skin-color politics. Groundbreaking and urgent, Same Family, Different Colors is a solution-seeking journey to the heart of identity politics, so that this more subtle “cousin to racism,” in the author’s words, will be exposed and confronted.

The reds, the yellows, and the blues all think they're the best in this vibrant, thought-provoking picture book from Arree Chung, with a message of acceptance and unity. In the beginning, there were three colors . . . Reds, Yellows, and Blues. All special in their own ways, all living in harmony—until one day, a Red says "Reds are the best!" and starts a color kerfuffle. When the colors decide to separate, is there anything that can change their minds? A Yellow, a Blue, and a never-before-seen color might just save the day in this inspiring book about color, tolerance, and embracing differences.

Whether you want to kick-start your toddlers color and shape recognition or just tell a good story with a heart-warming lesson, Families Come In Many Different Shapes, Sizes, & Colors fits the bill. The vibrant and playful illustrations offer new discoveries in every read. With a message that love makes a family and that true friendships can be built through acceptance and understanding - any child would be lucky to experience this book.Ryan LaLonde has been drawing and telling stories from the age of three. In a family journal kept from an early age, Ryan stated yearly that he wanted to be a teacher or an artist. This, his first book, is a harmonious fusion of his childhood dreams - not only is it an expression of art and creativity but also a story that teaches many lessons. Whether learning an array of colors or the gambit of shapes, the book brings them to life with a story of families, friends and love.

Today's world is full of diversity and it comes in many shapes, sizes, creeds and so much more. In this wonderful story of a Family with Many Colors, children learn that being different is not only ok, but it's cool, hip and fun. The Family with Many Colors shows how love does not stop at one color, or style. Love embraces everyone and everything. To show true love and acceptance, we must look beyond the color barrier, embrace the uniqueness in all of us and know that being different is not wrong, just different which adds to our rich culture and life. About the Author and Illustrator: Mrs. Emma Thomas grew up in Tallahassee, Florida. At an early age she wanted to be an artist. As time progressed, she saw the value and enjoyment that many teachers in her area received from teaching. This won her over and she decided to go to college with her grandmother's help to become a teacher. She earned a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, with a minor in Middle School Science. In college, Mrs. Thomas met her husband, Willie. She is a proud parent of a daughter and now has a granddaughter that she cherishes deeply. Through the years of teaching, Mrs. Thomas has met many students and parents from a variety of backgrounds and cultural diversities. She learned from her students on how to share love and grew to appreciate their ability to look beyond skin color. This led her to writing a book about the different beautiful flowers (colors of people) which has turned into her first book: The Family with Many Colors. Dimitri Garcia's recognition of being artistic filled him with bliss at a very early age. He adored feeling special because his gift was so unique. Dimitri especially found joy in surprising himself and others when artwork looked better than anticipated. His greatest influences have been children's books, comics, cartoons and motion graphics. Dimitri's mediums always range from acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink and digital coloring but he always starts inside a sketchbook. He calls Austin, Texas his home and divides his time and attention between personal training, freelance graphic design, illustration and yoga.

A positive and affirming look at skin color, from an artist's perspective. Seven-year-old Lena is going to paint a picture of herself. She wants to use brown paint for her skin. But when she and her mother take a walk through the neighborhood, Lena learns that brown comes in many different shades. Through the eyes of a little girl who begins to see her familiar world in a new way, this book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect all people. Karen Katz created The Colors of Us for her daughter, Lena, whom she and her husband adopted from Guatemala six years ago.

We share one world, we share many colors. One World, Many Colors is a lyrical celebration of the vibrant colors waiting to be found in all corners of the world. From the ice-white plains of Antarctica to the soft pink blossoms of the Japanese countryside. The same colors can be found everywhere else in the world, in nature, in our cities, and in our cultures. From travel writer Ben Lerwill, and with beautiful illustrations from Alette Straathof this non-fiction picture book opens children's eyes to the wonders of the world and the spectrum of color that we share.

Who better than Elmo and his Sesame Street friends to teach us that though we may all look different on the outside—deep down, we are all very much alike? Elmo and his Sesame Street friends help teach toddlers and the adults in their lives that everyone is the same on the inside, and it's our differences that make this wonderful world, which is home to us all, an interesting—and special—place. This enduring, colorful, and charmingly illustrated book offers an easy, enjoyable way to learn about differences—and what truly matters. We’re Different, We’re the Same is an engaging read for toddlers and adults alike that reinforces how we all have the same needs, desires, and feelings.