Carol of the Brown King

The Carol of the Brown King is a collection of six Christmas poems, curated by John Langstaff and illustrated by Ashley Bryan. Each poem celebrates the diversity of figures in the Nativity story, with a focus on the presence of people of color. The book includes works from poets Langston Hughes, Margaret Walker, and others who bring fresh perspectives to traditional Christmas themes. Bryan's watercolor illustrations accompany each poem with bold colors and distinctive style. The main thread connecting these poems is the depiction of Christmas through an African American lens, reimagining Biblical stories in an inclusive way. This book explores universal themes of joy, faith, and community while highlighting diverse cultural representations in religious narratives.

Readers note this illustrated children's Christmas book presents an inclusive, multicultural collection of holiday songs and poems. Most reviews emphasize the importance of diverse representation in Christmas literature. Readers appreciated: - Beautiful illustrations by Ashley Bryan featuring children of color - Mix of traditional carols and lesser-known songs - The title poem by Langston Hughes - Multicultural perspective that differs from typical Christmas books Some readers mentioned: - Book length is short at only 32 pages - Limited number of songs included - High price point for the page count Average Ratings: Goodreads: 4.07/5 (56 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (10 reviews) A teacher reviewer on Amazon stated: "My students loved seeing themselves represented in a Christmas book." A parent on Goodreads noted: "Great addition to holiday collections but wish it included more songs and was longer for the price."

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🎵 "Carol of the Brown King" was inspired by a poem written by Langston Hughes, celebrating the diversity of the Biblical Christmas story. 👑 Ashley Bryan's vibrant illustrations in the book deliberately feature darker-skinned angels and one of the three Magi as African, challenging traditional European depictions of Biblical figures. 🎼 John Langstaff was a renowned musician and educator who founded the Christmas Revels, a series of seasonal celebrations that continue to this day in multiple cities. 📚 The book combines six different Christmas poems and carols, including works from both Spanish and African American traditions. 🌟 The title poem specifically focuses on Balthazar, traditionally considered the African king among the three Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus.