Skin Like Mine

Kids Like Mine #2

by LaTashia M. Perry, Bea Jackson (Illustrator)

From the Creators of Hair Like Mine, Skin Like Mine, the second book in the Kids Like Mine Series, is a fun, easy-to- read for beginners as well as advanced readers. An entertaining yet creative way to address and celebrate diversity among young children. Guaranteed to make you smile and a bit hungry.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Cultural, Race, African American, Fiction, Love

24 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2016

About the author

LaTashia Perry is the Founder and CEO of Kids Like Mine and the author of the 'Like Mine' children's picture book series.

LaTashia is committed to enriching and empowering the lives of children through positive affirmations and self-imagery. Kids Like Mine inspires children of color to embrace and love their true selves through the brand's products, which feature black and brown characters.

​LaTashia is a native of Flint, MI and a product of Flint Community Schools. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Virgil Perry and they share 5 children together.

Reviews

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book, and I really liked the theme that you should love the skin you're in and that your shade of color is beautiful (but not better or worse than anyone else's). I loved the body positivity throughout. However, I was a little uncomfortable about the use of food metaphors to describe the tones--especially when the narrator would comment about how both her and her sister are "yummy" or how looking at grandpa's skin makes her "hungry". It just didn't feel quite right to me.

[Christina/ The Blog for Teachers, Readers, & Life! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ages: 4-8
Skin Like Mine explores the different shades of skin people have by using food analogies. These illustrations and easy text make this book relatable for young kids.

[Kiaundria Bellerose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, but it was a bit creepy... The children's skin tones are compared to various "yummy" snacks and treats. It put me off when the little girl said her Grandpa had skin like caramel and thinking about it was making her hungry... I get what the author was trying to do, but it came across strange to me... Just didn't feel right. Besides, I've never heard a child refer to their skin as "chocolate" or "yummy"

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the message of this book! I cannot wait to read the entire series!

[Natalya Botero · Rating 4 out of 5]

(2016)This book goes through all different skin tones, comparing them to things. They talk about how boring the world would be with only one hue. This does great at comparing differences to positive things rather than negative. (Children's lit-fiction)

[Marissa Lynh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the inclusivity and and how to love your skin and everyone else's, but I just wasn't impressed.

[Jasmine Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, a young girl talks about how her skin is unique. On each page, the author describes the skin tone of a character and how it makes them "one of a kind". Towards the end of the story, the main character talks about their best friend, Shaun and how he's a lighter complexion. The author states how color doesn't mean anything, its what's on the inside that counts. The book concludes by basically stating that you should be proud of the skin you're in.

I liked how this book was easy to follow for a young reader and the illustrations made the story more intersting. Though, the book doesn't follow a typical story line. There's no problem and solution. The author just makes statements through out the book. Though, I did like how they included the white child in the story. It made the story more inclusive for other cultural groups. I just wish that the author would have went deeper into the different shades of brown there were and possibly included more friends of different races. This way the book represent a variety of cultural groups. Overall, this is a great story to empower young black children. It relates to my children's book because it discusses the idea of race.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this heartfelt story depicting true appreciation for one's skin color, it emphasises the importance of not only accepting others, but accepting and loving yourself. This story compares skin colors with foods instead of with other people. From brownies, cakes, and caramel, to a friendship that seh refers to as "cookies and cream," this book is a light hearted way of breaking the barrier down when talking about different skin colors and loving the body you were given.

This book meant a lot to me in that I felt as though I could use this with younger children if we ever needed to talk about a topic such as different skin tones. The way it is written along with the beautiful illustrations, I would recommend this book to young readers struggling with accepting their own skin tones, and/or teachers who need a smooth transition into talking about a subject such as this.

I would relate this book to another book titled, "The Colors of Us," by Karen Katz. Both books have a beautifully written text that brings light to the topic of skin tones, accompanied by wonderful illustrations.

"If everyone's skin was the same, wouldn't that be a shame?"

[Joe Chell]

Book Title: Skin Like Mine
Author/Illustrator: Latashia M. Perry
Reading Level: LG
Book Level: 2.6

Book Summary: Skin Like Mine explores the topic of diversity amongst children through the eyes of a young girl, who relates the color of people’s skin to her favorite kinds of food.

Bookshelf Genre: Multicultural Literature

Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits (explain one or two content integration ideas):

Voice - This book hits a positive, celebratory tone with the reader. Creating an entertaining and creative way to celebrate the diversity amongst young children through a lighthearted relationship between skin color and food.
Word Choice - Perry has created a book that employs creative and effective word use to convey meaning mostly through similes and metaphors between skin color and food. An example of this is the writer describing herself and her sister as both shades of brown - one peanut butter and the other hazelnut spread.

Skin Like Mine is not only a great resource for talking about diversity, it can also be used within a literacy class based on similes/metaphors, and how they are used to convey meaning.

[Stephanie Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Skin Like Mine" is a beautiful picture book explores different skin colors and uses food analogies to embrace all different skin hues. Through this book, the author, LaTashia M. Perry allows for young children to truly appreciate their own skin color and truly highlights the importance of accepting and loving yourself and others. "My sister and I are both shades of brown. Me like peanut butter and she a hazelnut spread. Both creamy and smooth. If I had to choose it would be hard for me because both are so yummy."

A book like this is necessary for teachers to implement in their classrooms through a read aloud. A simple activity that can stem from the book could be asking your students to look at the color of their skin and asking them, "what does your skin color remind you of?" Some students might say vanilla, others might say cinnamon or caramel. There point here is to show your students that diversity is okay and there is nothing wrong with having a darker skin color. All should be treated the same regardless of ones skin color. Definitely recommend!

[Connie T. · Rating 1 out of 5]

As much as I wanted to like this book, it turned me off from the very beginning. On the plus side, it celebrates all skin shades, stressing positive self image and the fact that skin color shouldn't be a barrier to friendship. However, I think this book's faults far outweigh this bit of positivity. First, I feel that the rhyming is forced and awkward. I hate it when authors try to rhyme stories that are better told in prose. I think they do this when they don't have much to say and they think a cute rhyme will save the day. Second, as others have mentioned, skin tones are compared to food: peanut butter, brownies, Oreos, etc. and used in conjunction with words like tasty, sweet, and yummy. This is just creepy and sends the wrong message. Third, it's difficult to know who the narrator is. At first it sounds like a girl who is comparing herself to her sister. Then it shows two boys and the text is talking about "my best friend." And last, Grandpa's skin is like "carmel." The word is caramel!

[Dawn Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was read to my 5 year old daughter who loved it so very much. The book explain the various colors of skin with different types of hair. I really think every child should have the opportunity to read for self confidence. The book was not written for one type of skin color but it displayed multiple colors of skin color. By doing so the book made the point abstractly to present the human diversity and how it’s ok to have relationship with someone different from you. I think this was a good read because adult need to have the understanding just like children that God made us all in a unique way. Therefore , we need to respect one another’s physical characteristics. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Delaney Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I notices with this book was the rhyming aspect. I thought this was very fun and would be a neat book to add to my classroom library. This book talks about different darker skin tones and how each one is beautiful in their own way. I liked how Latashia compared skin colors to the colors around the world and added that it would be very boring if there were limited colors so we should celebrate them all.

I would use this book in my classroom as a way to represent some of my students who come from African - American decent or have a darker skin tone like some represented in the book. I want them to feel seen, recognized and celebrated. I also want to add more powerful, black, female voices to my library and this would do just that!

[Trinity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book celebrates diversity and self-love. The story is also told in a fun way, expressing how different skin tones are special and should be embraced and loved. The message in this book is that no matter what your skin looks like, it's perfect and should be seen. This is important for children of any age. It's important to let children know that their skin is perfect from an early age and should be repeated to them throughout the years because the older they get, the more they will see and go through. It's also important for teachers to read this book in classrooms because it creates a positive environment and teaches children to appreciate and celebrate diversity. The book is also visually appealing and bright.

[Natalie Mathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful book uses similes to describe the different characters’ skin tones, creamy and smooth like peanut butter or dark chocolate brown like a brownie treat. The book is intended for children, to teach them that not everyone's the same, and that the way you look does not matter. It is what’s on the inside that matters. The author uses a simile to describe each character's skin tone to better visualize it for the audience. I would rate this book a ⅘. It does a really good job of teaching kids to not worry about the color of their skin. It also does a very good job of painting a picture into the audiences heads about the different skin tones the characters have.

[Tileyah Fleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Skin like mine" is a contemporary realistic. This story is about a young girl talking about how the pigment of her skin is unique and beautiful, each page is dedicated to a different pigment of skin, telling how each shade is gorgeous in its own way and how their skin is "one of a kind" by comparing the color of their skin to the color of different foods. I really enjoyed this story and its themes because I feel it's important to tell children to appreciate the tone of their skin for what it is and to be loving and kind to others with different skin than yours, and it's great to remind them of how beautiful they are for their tone Aswell.

[Dulce German]

This book is about teaching children to love and embrace the color of their skin. As well as having them see how beautiful each of them is. The illustration in the book seems t be water-based and it has different colors, especially skin ton colors. I like how the book has examples of what someone's skin color can look like so that kids can understand. I think his book would be great for MLK Day and talking about how everyone is beautiful the way they are and all should be treated with respect.

[Kayla Doney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book features a group of diverse children with different skin tones and hair textures, and encourages young readers to embrace and celebrate their differences. Through playful and engaging illustrations, the book celebrates the beauty of diversity and promotes exclusivity and acceptance.
The story emphasizes that every child is unique and special in their own way, and encourages children to be proud of their individual qualities. It also highlights the importance of empathy and respect for others, regardless of their differences.

[Abby Pandina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has an average of 4.21 stars, the copyright date is 2016, and the major theme is beauty in diverse skin colors. My favorite part of the story is when the narrator says that a world without different skin tone would be boring. She loves diversity, it is like a bag of many flavors of lollipops. I would love to use this story as a read aloud in my classroom in order to teach my students that each and every one of their skin tones is beautiful and unique.

[Cara Byrne]

"Imagine a world with one hue of colors how boring that would be. I don't know about you but, [sic] I like variety! Like a bag of lollipop each bringing a different splash of flavor to my mouth. If everyone was the same wouldn't that be a shame?" By using treats like caramel and dark chocolate to describe different skin tones, this book celebrates racial diversity. I found this book on the shelves of the Cleveland Children's Museum in August of 2021.

[Molly Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a young girl who talks about how her skin is unique. Every page describes the skin tone of a character and how it makes them "one of a kind". The author says that it's what's on the inside that counts, and it ends by stating that you should be proud of the skin you're in, because that is unique to you! I loved this story and the powerful message, and I plan on reading this to my students every year!

[Kayla Worley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a young girl who talks about how the color of her skin is unique. On each page, the author describes the skin tone of a character and how it makes them "one of a kind“ by comparing the color of skin to the color of different foods. The intended audience is 3-7 years and kindergarten and up. I selected this book beause this will show students that everyone has different skin tone, and we shouldn't be ashamed of it because it makes us who we are.

[Allison Lauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to any elementary or preschool class. I would use this book in my classroom because it talks about how no one has the same skin tone. In this book, the little girl has brown skin, but her sister has a different shade of brown skin. The little girl in the book said she would not trade her skin color for anything. I think it would teach the students to love their skin color, no matter what.

[Julie A]

This book is about accepting your own skin color and being proud of it as it is one of a kind. It shows that everyone’s skin is different and beautiful. The difference is to be appreciated and accepted. A world without different skin colors would be boring and a shame. The book shows that everyone is different and that it okay. It is the acceptance of the differences that it important.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of kids celebrate their Black and brown skin tones and those of their family members (as well as a white friend), comparing their skin tones to different foods and praising them for their uniqueness. Enjoyable rhyming text.

Themes: Skin, Self-Love, Friendship, Community, Race
Age range: 3-9

[Hailey Underwood]

This book serves as a creative way to address and to help celebrate all the different forms of diversity among young children. This book is great to start reading to children at a younger age that way they are aware of all the diversity in the world they can come in contact with and it doesn't take them by surprise.

[Edna Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book that shows self-love. We should be proud of our skin color. Diversity is fun because we get to share our unique things one another. Brown has different shades from light to dark. I am also brown and just like this young girl said; I would not prefer nor change my shade despite the discrimination. This book is easy to follow and fall in love with it. It talks about skin brown color coming in light to dark shades. A person matters for whom they are and their inside not based on color. I love the illustrations being very realistic.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Skin Like Mine” is an adorable book about acceptance of others as well as yourself. I really like how this book shows an array of differences in people and their unique beauty marks and how each one is special. I think it is so easy to forget that everyone has their own uniqueness that makes them who they are and it’s important to seek rare differences.

[Alma Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story on how the character love's their own skin. This book could be read to a very young audience so that early on they are exposed to the beauty there is in every skin color. It is very interesting how food metaphors were used; I want to know how different audiences of this book would take these metaphors. Rhyming is introduced as well into the writing.