Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o will soon be able to add children’s book writer to her long list of accomplishments!
The New York Times reports that Lupita Nyong’o has written her debut children’s book, which will officially be released next January.
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Nyong’o’s new work is a picture book called Sulwe, which will be aimed at young readers between the ages of 5 and 7.
The title of the book is a word from the Oscar winner’s native language, Luo, which translates to “star” in English. The book will tell the story of a young girl growing up in Kenya who has the darkest skin color of all her family — something that makes her incredibly uncomfortable.
In a tweet announcing the book, Nyong’o shared a short synopsis of the story set to unfold in Sulwe.
“I am pleased to reveal I have written a children’s book!” tweeted Nyong’o. “It’s called ‘Sulwe’! Slew is a dark skinned girl who goes on a starry-eyed adventure, and awakens with a reimagined sense of beauty. Coming January 2019!”
I am pleased to reveal I have written a children's book! It's called "Sulwe"! Sulwe is a dark skinned girl who goes on a starry-eyed adventure, and awakens with a reimagined sense of beauty. Coming January 2019! More: https://t.co/aGcbwNKrcP pic.twitter.com/6sass0oxOM
Article Continues Below— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) January 17, 2018
Though Nyong’o’s children’s book is a work of fiction, it deals with a subject matter that she herself is all too familiar with.
In the past, the Star Wars: The Force Awakens actress has spoken candidly about growing up feeling self-conscious about her own dark complexion before learning to love the skin she’s in.
We’re sure Sulwe will be just as heartwarming as the speeches Lupita Nyong’o has given in the past where she’s encouraged others to learn to love themselves inside and out.
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