Magnificent Homespun Brown

Chrystal Bethell's warm voice perfectly matches the rich language of this poetic celebration of the color brown in nature and in a brown-skinned girl's sense of self-worth and belonging. In a repeating pattern, lyrical text describes a different shade of brown in different natural environments (amber, cozy, thundering, etc.), connecting it with a part of the girl's body or family. An upbeat, new melody for each new type of brown both enlivens the vibrant imagery and helps listeners differentiate the sections. Sound effects of thunder, waves lapping, and wind swirling enhance the atmosphere of each description. Bethell's sincere narration of the author's note reflects the author's personal commitment to inspiring children to connect with nature and their communities. S.C. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine