// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Sulwe say to her shadow? You're always dark about me.
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| Author | Lupita Nyong'o |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Vashti Harrison |
| Cover artist | Vashti Harrison |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers |
| Publication date | October 15, 2019 |
| Pages | 48 pages |
| ISBN | 1534425365 |
| Website | Official Website |
Sulwe is a 2019 children's picture book written by actress Lupita Nyong'o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison. It tells the story of a young girl who wishes for her dark skin to be lighter. In 2020, the Kiswahili and Dholuo translations of the book were made available in East Africa through Kenyan publishing firm Bunk Books.[1][2]
Synopsis
[edit]Sulwe is a five-year-old Kenyan girl who has the darkest skin in her family and at her school. She wishes for her skin to be lighter, but through a supernatural experience, she comes to love her dark skin color.[a]
Reception
[edit]Sulwe became a number-one New York Times Best Seller[6] and was selected for the 2020 Illustrator Honor at the Coretta Scott King Awards.[7] It won the award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards,[8] and received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly.[9][10] It was also reviewed by School Library Journal.[11] Sulwe was pulled from classrooms in the Central York School District of Pennsylvania in 2021[12] and from Duval Country, Florida in January 2022.[13]
In media
[edit]| Year | Outlet | Episode |
|---|---|---|
| October 8, 2019 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | "Lupita Nyong'o Captures Her Struggle with Colorism in a Children's Book" |
| October 8, 2019 | Newsnight | "Lupita Nyong’o on Racism, Colourism, and Justin Trudeau" |
| October 15, 2019 | Live with Kelly and Ryan | "Lupita Nyong'o Talks About Her Children's Book, Sulwe" |
| October 15, 2019 | Good Morning America | "Lupita Nyong'o shares powerful story behind new children's book, Sulwe" |
| September 1, 2020 | Netflix Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices | "Lupita Nyong'o Reads Sulwe" |
Film adaptation
[edit]In 2021, Netflix announced an animated musical film adaptation based on Sulwe, with Nyong'o as a producer.[14]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Nancy Agutu (1 October 2020). "Lupita's 'Sulwe book' coming to Kenya in Luo, English". The Star. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
- ↑ "Lupita's new book Sulwe to be translated to Kiswahili and Luo". Classic 105. 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
- ↑ Bussel, Rachel Kramer. "Lupita Nyong'o To Discuss Debut Children's Book 'Sulwe' In New York At BookExpo Author Breakfast". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
- ↑ Akinyoade, Akinwale (2019-10-02). "Lupita Nyong'o Addresses Colourism In Forthcoming Book, 'Sulwe'". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
- ↑ Kelly, Jane (2019-09-24). "Hollywood Star Lupita Nyong'o Taps Best-Selling UVA Alumna for New Children's Book". UVA Today. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
- ↑ "Children's Picture Books – Best Seller – The New York Times". The New York Times. 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019."Children's Picture Books – Best Seller – The New York Times". The New York Times. 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
- ↑ "2020 Winners and Honors". American Library Association. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
- ↑ "NAACP Winners 2020: The Complete List". Variety. 22 February 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ↑ SULWE | Kirkus Reviews.
- ↑ "Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
- ↑ Lupita, Nyong’o. "Sulwe". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
- ↑ "PEN America's Index of School Book Bans" (PDF). Pen America. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
- ↑ kanopi_admin (2022-12-07). "These 176 Books Were Banned in Duval County, Florida". PEN America. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (2021-02-18). "Lupita Nyong'o Children's Book 'Sulwe' Getting Adapted Into Animated Netflix Musical". Variety. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
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