Oscar winner and Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o’s book will now be translated in English, Kiswahili and Dholuo. The picture book titled Sulwe, has been a powerful and heartwarming children’s read since it was released in October last year.
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“I am very proud to finally be debuting my book, Sulwe, at home in Kenya in English, Kiswahili and my mother tongue, Dholuo,” Lupita said on social media. It has been a dream of mine to have Sulwe published in indigenous languages as a way to celebrate them and keep them alive and relevant. I hope readers enjoy Sulwe’s adventure as she discovers the beauty within,” Lupita added.
A New York Times bestseller and featured in its own episode in the Netflix Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices show, Sulwe is a gift to young girls struggling with identity issues. Sulwe has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers list for 13 weeks. Illustrated by Vashti Harrison, the moving book went ahead to receive a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honour Award and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Literary Work after it was released.
Unique beauty
The book profiles Sulwe, a dark girl who desires to be as beautiful and desirable as her family. To achieve that elusive goal, she takes on a magical journey into the night and everything about her changes forever.
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With all the amazing illustrations, the story is about children learning to embrace their unique beauty - that comes from within. The book that has been translated, published and distributed by Bunk Books and themed around colourism and self-esteem, is now available at book shops across East Africa. It costs approximately Sh1,190.
Describing the book, Lupita tweeted: “To inspire children (and everyone really!) to love the skin they are in and to see the beauty that radiates from within.” Lupita, known for her standout performances in 12 Years a Slave, Black Panther and Star Wars has also been profiled as a fashion trend setter by some of the world’s biggest lifestyle magazines. The book’s illustrator is the author of the bestseller titled Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History.
