Sulwe

Sulwe
Author	Lupita Nyong'o
Illustrator	Vashti Harrison
Cover artist	Vashti Harrison
Genre	Children's literature
Published	2019
Publisher	Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date	October 15, 2019
Pages	48 pages
ISBN	1534425365
Website	Official Website

Sulwe is a children's New York Times bestselling picture book by actress Lupita Nyong'o. It follows the story of a young girl who wishes for her dark skin to be lighter. The story is ultimately about colorism and learning to love oneself, no matter one's skin tone.

In 2020, the Kiswahili and Dholuo translations were made available in East Africa through Kenyan publishing firm Bunk Books.^[1]^[2]

Synopsis

Sulwe has the darkest skin in her family and in her school. She wishes for her skin to be lighter, but through a supernatural experience, she comes to love her dark skin color.^[3]^[4]^[5]

In media

Year	Outlet	Episode
October 8, 2019	The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon	"Lupita Nyong'o Captures Her Struggle with Colorism in a Children's Book"
October 8, 2019	Newsnight	"Lupita Nyong’o on Racism, Colourism, and Justin Trudeau"
October 15, 2019	Live with Kelly and Ryan	"Lupita Nyong'o Talks About Her Children's Book, Sulwe"
October 15, 2019	Good Morning America	"Lupita Nyong'o shares powerful story behind new children's book, Sulwe"
September 1, 2020	Netflix Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices	"Lupita Nyong'o Reads Sulwe"

Film adaptation

In February 2021, Netflix announced an animated musical film adaptation based on the book, with Nyong'o attached as a producer on the film.^[6]

Controversy

In September 2021, Sulwe was pulled from classrooms in the Central York School District of Pennsylvania^[7] and from Duval Country, Florida in January of 2022.^[8]

References

↑ Nancy Agutu (1 October 2020). "Lupita's 'Sulwe book' coming to Kenya in Luo, English". The Star. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
↑ "Lupita's new book Sulwe to be translated to Kiswahili and Luo". Classic 105. 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
↑ Bussel, Rachel Kramer. "Lupita Nyong'o To Discuss Debut Children's Book 'Sulwe' In New York At BookExpo Author Breakfast". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
↑ Akinyoade, Akinwale (2019-10-02). "Lupita Nyong'o Addresses Colourism In Forthcoming Book, 'Sulwe'". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
↑ Kelly, Jane (2019-09-24). "Hollywood Star Lupita Nyong'o Taps Best-Selling UVA Alumna for New Children's Book". UVA Today. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
↑ Rubin, Rebecca (2021-02-18). "Lupita Nyong'o Children's Book 'Sulwe' Getting Adapted Into Animated Netflix Musical". Variety. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
↑ "PEN America's Index of School Book Bans" (PDF). Pen America. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
↑ kanopi_admin (2022-12-07). "These 176 Books Were Banned in Duval County, Florida". PEN America. Retrieved 2025-10-16.

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[1] Nancy Agutu (1 October 2020). "Lupita's 'Sulwe book' coming to Kenya in Luo, English". The Star. Retrieved 2020-10-05.

[2] "Lupita's new book Sulwe to be translated to Kiswahili and Luo". Classic 105. 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-10-05.

[3] Bussel, Rachel Kramer. "Lupita Nyong'o To Discuss Debut Children's Book 'Sulwe' In New York At BookExpo Author Breakfast". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-10-13.

[4] Akinyoade, Akinwale (2019-10-02). "Lupita Nyong'o Addresses Colourism In Forthcoming Book, 'Sulwe'". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2019-10-13.

[5] Kelly, Jane (2019-09-24). "Hollywood Star Lupita Nyong'o Taps Best-Selling UVA Alumna for New Children's Book". UVA Today. Retrieved 2019-10-13.

[6] Rubin, Rebecca (2021-02-18). "Lupita Nyong'o Children's Book 'Sulwe' Getting Adapted Into Animated Netflix Musical". Variety. Retrieved 2021-02-18.

[7] "PEN America's Index of School Book Bans" (PDF). Pen America. Retrieved October 16, 2025.

[8] _admin (2022-12-07). "These 176 Books Were Banned in Duval County, Florida". PEN America. Retrieved 2025-10-16.

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