Black Gold - by Laura Obuobi (Hardcover)

About the Book

"When the Universe decides to create a child, she draws from the earth--rich, dark, and full of everything that gives life, including eyes like black star sapphires and full lips to speak the truth. With help from the Sun and the Moon, they create a child of the Universe: beautiful, powerful, and boundless with the brilliance of Black Gold"--

Book Synopsis

"Obuobi pens an origin story that's at once earthly and impressively cosmic, an ethereal children's debut that centers a Black child's beginnings." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Lyrical, empowering, and inspiring. An affirmation of the miracle each individual is." --Yamile Saied Méndez, author of Where Are You From? and What Will You Be?

This lyrical picture book is a joyous, poetic, celebration of Black children and a reminder of the Universe's unconditional love in stunning verse and captivating collage. Perfect for fans of Sulwe!

When the Universe decides to create a child, she draws from the earth--rich, dark, and full of everything that gives life, including eyes like black star sapphires and full lips to speak the truth. With help from the Sun and the Moon, they create a child of the Universe: beautiful, powerful, and boundless with the brilliance of Black Gold.

Laura Obuobi's empowering, whimsical text and London Ladd's lustrous, captivating illustrations will inspire children to love themselves exactly as they are.

A Bank Street College of Education's Children's Book Committee's Best Children's Books of the Year (2023)

A Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of the Year for ages 5-9 in Family/School/Community Fiction and noted for outstanding merit (2023)

What happens when the Universe makes a child from the richest parts of itself?

• Black Joy Book for Children: A joyful and affirming origin story that celebrates a Black child's beginnings as a cosmic miracle, drawn from the rich, dark earth.
• Confidence Building for Kids: An empowering message for kids ages 4-8, reminding them they were created with eyes like star sapphires and lips to speak their truth.
• A Lyrical Bedtime Story: With stunning verse and gentle rhythm, this read-aloud is perfect for lulling a child to sleep feeling kissed by the Sun and cradled by the Moon.
• Celebrating Individuality: A beautiful reminder that every child is a unique and beloved child of the Universe, powerful and boundless.

Review Quotes

"In a perfect weave of lyrical, empowering words and stunning, inspiring illustrations, Black Gold is a celebration of children and the attributes that make them unique. This book reads like an affirmation of the miracle each individual is." - Yamile Saied Méndez, author of Where Are You From? and What Will You Be?

"Poetically written and wondrously illustrated, Obuobi and Ladd's picture book offers Black children a cosmic origin story filled with beauty and strength. This book holds universal appeal in the way it intimately connects children to the larger world, and its empowering message will strike a chord." - Booklist

"Obuobi pens an origin story that's at once earthly and impressively cosmic, an ethereal children's debut that centers a Black child's beginnings." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Black children will find a positive and powerful affirmation of their intrinsic and irrefutable worth." - School Library Journal