Netflix is turning Lupita Nyong’o’s children’s book into an animated musical.
Some welcome news for those of you with little ones running and/or crawling around your ankles right now: Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o’s bestselling 2019 children’s book Sulwe is getting a small screen musical adaptation.
Netflix announced earlier today that Sulwe will join a roster of upcoming animated titles that includes Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10½: A Space Age Adventure and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
Sulwe—a delightful picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and understanding that true beauty comes from within, written by Nyong’o with illustrations by Vashti Harrison—is the story of a little girl, with skin darker than anyone else she knows, who wants to beautiful and bright. One night Sulwe is visited by a shooting star sent to her by the Night, and sets out on a magical journey to learn about the sisters Night and Day.
“The story of Sulwe is one that is very close to my heart,” Nyong’o said in a statement following the announcement. “Growing up, I was uncomfortable in my dark skin. I rarely saw anyone who looked like me in the aspirational pages of books and magazines, or even on TV. It was a long journey for me to arrive at self-love. Sulwe is a mirror for dark-skinned children to see themselves, a window for those who may not be familiar with colorism, to have understanding and empathy, and an invitation for all who feel different and unseen to recognize their innate beauty and value. I am thrilled that the book is being adapted into an animated musical that we hope inspires children all around the world to celebrate their uniqueness.”
There are no details yet as to Sulwe‘s release date, but to tide you (and your demanding, diminutive housemates) over until then, here’s a lovely video of Nyong’o reading the book on Bookmarks, a Netflix show that features Black celebrities and artists reading children’s books from Black authors that highlight the Black experience.
[via Deadline]
