Beautiful You, Beautiful Me

Written by Tasha Spillett-Sumner

Illustrated by Salini Perera

Owlkids Books

978-1-77147-452-8

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

October 2022

 

Izzy adores her mother. Whether they are swimming or reading, braiding hair or dancing, she feels safe with Mama. But then one day, Izzy notices that her skin colour is different from that of her mother.

From Beautiful You, Beautiful Me by Tasha Spillett-Sumner, illus. by Salini Perera

"Mama!" exclaimed Izzy. "We don't match!
You're sand, and I'm chocolate."

And with that Izzy starts to see how she isn't the same as her beloved mother. She notices that her curly hair jumps out from her braids whereas her mother's smooth hair lays beautifully down her back.

From Beautiful You, Beautiful Me by Tasha Spillett-Sumner, illus. by Salini Perera

You're part of me, 

and I'm part of you.

I'm beautiful like me,

and you're beautiful like you.

And though her mother tries to reassure her with loving comfort and words, it's not until they see ducklings and kittens and baby birds that differ from their parents but are still protected and loved that Izzy gets it. Belonging doesn't come from sameness.

From Beautiful You, Beautiful Me by Tasha Spillett-Sumner, illus. by Salini Perera

There are many books about kids noticing their differences but most of those stories are about young people trying to fit in with their peers. Beautiful You, Beautiful Me is a unique perspective as a very young child recognizes how different they are from their primary caregiver, a mother who is everything to them. She's not picking up on it within the context of a large family with both parents, multiple siblings or grandparents, or even within a school setting with other children. She is noticing those differences one on one without any comparison. Just as it's irrelevant whether mother and daughter are different because of parentage or adoption, Izzy's mother's only response is that they are both beautiful people as they are and that the love is steadfast. Whether Tasha Spillett-Sumner, born of Cree and Trinidadian heritage, wrote this story for her younger self, or for her own daughter, Beautiful You, Beautiful Me is a celebration of family: sometimes different, sometimes the same, always loved.

Toronto illustrator Salini Perera makes special distinction of Izzy and her mother's differences, just as the little girl does. Their beautiful hair is distinctive in their textures and behaviour and their skin tones contrast when hands lay upon hands and they give tight hugs. Moreover, Salini Perera goes beyond their physical natures and shows an emotional context as well. Little Izzy's confusion is palpable as she observes her mother, but just as obvious is her attachment to her Mama as they connect in common tasks and togetherness. The art is fresh and bright, just as their relationship is.

Tasha Spillett-Sumner and Salini Perera have given us a mother-daughter relationship that is both conventional and exceptional, highlighting everything that makes it work. An appreciation of the differences while emphasizing the love is what makes this kinship flourish, just as it should.

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For educators who'd like to use Beautiful You, Beautiful Me for teaching, Owlkids Books has a free discussion guide available at https://owlkidsbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BYBM-DISCUSSION-GUIDE-FINAL.pdf