Of all of the birds in the forest, Blackbird was considered the most beautiful. All of the other birds envied his beautiful black feathers, despite their own bright colors. Even though Blackbird assures them it’s what they have on the inside that makes them beautiful, they eventually convince him to stir a “blackening brew.” He uses this to paint specks and stripes and spots of black on their feathers. Ashley Bryan’s rhythmic prose and stunning, vibrant cut-paper collages retell this Zambian folk tale that celebrates the beauty of all creatures both outside and in. (Ages 4–8)