It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday and I have such a fun book to share today!
It might look dismal and gloomy but it isn’t – it’s lovely and perfect 😊
I love books that are sweet and books that make me laugh, and this one is both!
Title: This Book Is Gray
Written & Illustrated By: Lindsay Ward
Two Lions, December 2019, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: colors, story-within-a-story, humor
text and illustration copyright Lindsay Ward 2019, Two Lions
Opening: “I’m going to make the GRAYtest book ever. . .
Once upon a time, a wolf, a kitten, and a hippo lived in a small house by the sea. (Some would describe the house as dismal, bleak, or gloomy.)
But it wasn’t. It was lovely.
And GRAY.
And perfect.”
Brief Synopsis: All Gray wants is to be included. But the other colors are always leaving him out. So he decides to create his own project: an all-gray book. Gray just knows it’s going to be perfect. But as he tries to write it, the Primary and Secondary colors show up… Will anyone ever realize that Gray can be interesting too?
text and illustration copyright Lindsay Ward 2019, Two Lions
Links To Resources: 20 Color Activities for Preschoolers; List of Color Activities; make your own story and/or pictures using only one color!
Why I Like This Book: For starters, it’s funny! 😊 Not only do the Primary and Secondary colors try to shoulder their way into the book, but in guessing at the story line they go off on quite a tangent. There is also some fun color word play. But what makes the book even better is that, underlying the story and the humor, is Gray’s heartfelt wish to be appreciated for himself, something all kids (and grown-ups 😊) can relate to. The other colors, while a little boisterous and pushy, are not unkind, and in the end a solution is found that makes everyone happy! A delightful way for younger readers to learn about colors and for all readers to enjoy!
text and illustration copyright Lindsay Ward 2019, Two Lions
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Wow! This book about the color gray surprised me. I love the interaction on the pages with the many colors. It’s funny how so many people associate gray with dismal feelings, but this book turns all of that around. Perfect!
What a wonderful idea that kids will love. Can’t wait to purchase this one. Thanks for sharing.
What a fun book! I think I’m going to love it!
Such a clever way to tell a story. I love gray’s POV, with the other colors trying to barge in and have their say. I love the line, “Do you mind. I’m trying to tell my story here.” This book will elicit a lot of laughs from kids. Great share!
I love a good meta book, and this one looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
This book looks so cure and fun. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
I read and loved this book. Highly recommended for fun reading time.
What a unique and compelling picture book concept. This sounds fun; I’ll check it out!
What a perfect choice for a perfectly gray day!
Oh my gosh! how funny – and yet (she says, looking out at the gray, gray day) totally appropriate. Definitely putting on my must-absolutely-read-soon (MARS) list.
Brilliant concept! And boy, do those colors pop against the gray. Thanks for the rec, Susanna! Hope all is well with you and yours!
So clever and funny and fresh!
Love love love this one…I need to get a copy because I’d love to learn to write in this style!
Books pairing feelings with colors get me every time; can’t wait to hold this one in my hands and in my heart!
This looks fabulous!
I loved it too!