My Blue Is Happy by Jessica Young- ESSENTIAL

Young, Jessica My Blue Is Happy.  Illustrated by Catia Chien.  PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2013.  $15.99.  Content: G.  Jessica Young does and incredible job celebrating colors and individual perspective in this picture book exploring a young girl’s walk through her neighborhood.  The little girl’s mom, best friend, the boy next door and many others describe what certain colors mean to them.  “Dad says brown is ordinary like a plain paper bag.  But my brown is special like chocolate syrup.”  “Burr! Grandma says.  Gray is cold.  Like the sky before a storm.  But my grey is as cozy as a curled-up kitten and the sound of soft rain on the roof.” Some colors represent opposites while others are simply a difference of opinion.  The illustrations are unique and draw the reader into each page.  The little girl is absolutely adorable!  The book could be used in a unit on colors, opinions, and any art unit.  Pre-K.  EL(K-3).  ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: SL