Celebrating Your Skin Colour with ‘ I Am So Much More…’

nisha.singh@harpercollins.co.in | 1 December 2021

A book that encourages children to delight in their brown skin and define their future by their dreams, not by the colour of their skin.

Talking about the book Japleen Pasricha, Founder-CEO & Editor-in-Chief, Feminism in India says, ‘It is a lovely breezy read. A book that makes us look beyond the colour of our skin and focus on our aspirations and ambitions. I especially loved how the book navigates the inherent colourism in our society by telling children that they may ignore the adults who try to tell them otherwise. It’s must read for children and adults alike.’

Author Divya Thomas says ‘I Am So Much More is especially for young children to consider the varied shades of beautiful brown skin we are in, and to know that our dreams are not defined by the colour of our skin. Navigating this important topic and bringing it to life with light hearted language and inclusive illustrations, by Ruchi Shah, has been a real labour of love. I wanted children to peer into the pages of this book to see themselves reflected and discover more with each reading. I hope that this book will inspire children and their caregivers to change the narrative!’

Tina Narang, Publisher – HarperCollins Children’s Books adds, ‘Picture books have come a long, long way. There is a growing trend of books for young children that try to say that much more, to help children understand and make sense of the world around them, and to do it as subtly as possible. I Am So Much More sets out to do precisely that – convey through its simple, yet powerful text and brilliant illustrations that you can do whatever you want and be whoever you wish to be, it doesn’t matter what colour your skin is. We hope this beautiful book will help build useful conversations among young and old about colour.’