Shades of Brilliant home

Episode 8 · Ages 6–7 · Years 1–2

Just a Different Shade

  • Friendship
  • With Poppy
Coming soonEpisode 8: Just a Different Shade

Poppy notices that all the princesses in her storybook have light skin like hers. When someone says white skin is the best, Poppy speaks up: “White skin isn’t better than Black skin. It’s just a different shade.” Then the friends make a new storybook where heroes come in every shade.

What happens

  1. Poppy reads her favourite storybook and notices that every princess has light skin like hers.
  2. At the park, someone says, “White skin is the best.” The words float up like a grey cloud.
  3. Poppy stands tall: “That’s not true. White skin isn’t better than Black skin. It’s just a different shade.”
  4. Esiri adds, “Everyone has melanin. Some bodies just make more.” The grey cloud blows away.
  5. The friends make a new storybook where heroes and princesses come in every shade.

Talk about it

  • Do your books and films show children who look like you and your friends?
  • Why is no skin colour better than another?
  • What could you say if someone said one skin colour is the best?

Try at home

Make a hero book

Draw yourself and your friends as the heroes of a story. Every shade gets a crown, a cape or a big adventure.

Book check

Look at the books at home or in class. Count who gets to be the hero. Who is missing?

Brave words for ages 6–7

“Stop! That’s not true, and it’s not kind. Everyone has melanin.”

Then tell a grown-up, and keep telling until someone listens.

“That’s not true. White skin isn’t better than Black skin. It’s just a different shade.”

What Poppy says when someone puts down her friend’s skin. Friends can speak up too.

RememberNo shade is better. Every shade is brilliant.

For nurseries and schools: curriculum links

Relationships Education (statutory from 1 September 2026)

  • Respectful, kind relationships“What a stereotype is, how stereotypes can be unfair, negative, destructive or lead to bullying and how to challenge a stereotype.”
  • Respectful, kind relationships“That they can expect to be treated with respect by others, and the importance of respecting others, including those who are different (for example, physically, in character, personality or backgrounds), or make different choices, or have different preferences or beliefs.”

Source: Relationships Education statutory guidance (DfE). More for schools