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NEW VENTURE: Lupita Nyong'o (Photo credit: Evan Agostini/AP/PA)

LUPITA NYONG'O has announced that she will publish her debut children’s book Sulwe with Simon & Schuster next January.

Sulwe, which means 'star' in The Academy-Award winner's native language, Luo, is the story of a 5-year-old girl growing up in Kenya.

According to The New York Times in the book, Sulwe has the darkest skin color in her family, a fact that makes her uncomfortable and determined to find a way to lighten her skin. As the story unfolds Sulwe embarks on a whimsical adventure in the night sky that, coupled with advice from her mother, helps her see beauty differently.

Sharing the news on Instagram, the actress said: "I am pleased to reveal that I have written a children's book! It's called "Sulwe"! Sulwe is a dark skinned girl who goes on a starry-eyed adventure, and awakens with a reimagined sense of beauty. She encounters lessons that we learn as children and spend our lives unlearning. This is a story for little ones, but no matter the age I hope it serves as an inspiration for everyone to walk with joy in their own skin. Coming January 2019!!"

I am pleased to reveal that I have written a children's book! It's called "Sulwe"! Sulwe is a dark skinned girl who goes on a starry-eyed adventure, and awakens with a reimagined sense of beauty. She encounters lessons that we learn as children and spend our lives unlearning. This is a story for little ones, but no matter the age I hope it serves as an inspiration for everyone to walk with joy in their own skin. Coming January 2019!!

A post shared by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo) on Jan 17, 2018 at 3:07pm PST

For the Black Panther star, the decision to touch on the topics of colorism, self hatred and beauty was important.

Like the character of Sulwe, Nyong’o struggled with her complexion and self-image as a child. Growing up, she remembers becoming more aware of colorism and caring about the opinions of others.

She spoke of this in a memorable speech in 2014, when discussing her darker skin and the importance of representation.

“I hope that my presence on your screens and in magazines may lead you, young girl, on a similar journey. That you will feel validation of your external beauty, but also, get to the deeper business of being beautiful inside,” she said.

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