Little Blue and Little Yellow

Leo Lionni (1959), 40 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Written as a tribute to his two young grandchildren, Lionni’s first book Little Blue and Little Yellow is truly a satisfying read. Little blue loves playing with his friends, especially little yellow who lives across the street. One day, little blue goes looking for his best friend. After looking everywhere, little blue finally stumbles upon little yellow and they are so happy to see each other they hug and hug until they turn green! The two friends, now as little green have an adventurous day out playing in the park, running through tunnels, climbing mountains … exhausted they return home. But to their parents’ dismay, little blue and little yellow are gone – only little green remains. Saddened little blue and yellow cry themselves to pieces (little blue and yellow pieces) until “they finally pull themselves together” and return home to their parents. Mama blue and papa blue are so thrilled to see little blue – they hug and kiss him and hug little yellow too … but in doing so, they become green. Realizing what had happened, they go over to their neighbors to share the news with mama yellow and papa yellow and both families rejoice! Lionni’s use of simple language and minimal graphics make this a book young children can enjoy. At first glance, Little Blue and Little Yellow is a clever personification of color theory, but beneath that it illustrates the bond of friendship, acceptance of oneself, and racial unity.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Press Here by Hervé Tullet or Perfect Square by Michael Hall

Other books by this author: Geraldine, the Music Mouse, A Flea Story, In the Rabbitgarden, Let’s Play, and Matthew’s Dream

Zen Shorts

Jon J. Muth (2005), 36 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

This 2006 Caldecott Honoree introduces three siblings, Michael, Karl, and Addy to Stillwater a gentle giant panda who arrives unexpectedly in their backyard after being carried away by his umbrella; Stillwater’s Mary Poppins-esc arrival only adds to the character’s mysticism. With a friendly demeanor Stillwater addresses each child in a congenial way and builds special friendships by imparting knowledge and guidance through a series of Zen inspired tales. According to Muth “Zen shorts are short meditations … they have no goal, but they often challenge us to reexamine our habits, desires, concepts, and fears.” Using Stillwater’s character of tranquility and serenity Muth effectively translates traditional Zen Buddhist literature in a thought-provoking and accessible ways. Muth’s text and watercolor-ink illustrations are endearing and capture Stillwater’s message of patience, contemplation, and humility perfectly. Zen Shorts is an excellent read; it functions both as a storybook of friendship and meditation. The lovable and enchanting character Stillwater reappears in the author’s similarly inspired books, Zen Ties and Zen Ghosts … where once again, Muth approaches challenging and provocative subject matter with ease and benevolence.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Zen Tales: Up and Down by Peter Whitfield, Peaceful Piggy Meditation by Kerry Lee Maclean, or The Value of Honesty: The Story of Confucius by Spencer Johnson

Other books by this author: The Three Questions (Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy), Old Turtle and the Broken Truth, Stone Soup, Zen Ghosts, and Zen Ties

The Carrot Seed

By Ruth Krauss (1945), 32 pages

Illustrated by Crockett Jonhson

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

Continuously in print since 1945, this classic tale is one both children and parents will love. Who knew a simple act of planting a seed could be so courageous … well, one little boy proves just that! Even though everyone kept insisting “it won’t come up; it won’t come up.” The little boy never gives up and patiently tends to his carrot seed with conviction and confidence. Is he rewarded in the end? Why, yes! He manages to produce a carrot worthy of any state prize and even though others doubted him – our brave boy proves that it was possible all along. Krauss and Johnson use simple words and pictures to convey poise and self-assurance. This timeless story has wonderful morals threefold for children –to trust in themselves, practice patience and care, and reap the rewards of hard work!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Ant and the Grasshopper by Amy Lowry Poole, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert, Jack’s Garden by Henry Cole, or Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

Other books by this author: A Hole is to Dig, A Very Special House, Bears, The Backwards Day, The Bundle Book, I Can Fly, The Growing Story, and The Happy Day

Other books by this illustrator: Harold and the Purple Crayon

The Skin You Live In

Michael Tyler (2005), 32 pages

Illustrated by David Lee Csicsko

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler not only talks about skin's different colors & tones it also talks about all the fun things you can do in your skin … such as "the skin that you have fun in; the skin that you run in; the skin that you hop, skip, and jump in the sun in..." Ending with the moral that what's most important is not the skin, but what's within.

Supplement this book with an activity of coloring. Using Coloring Pages, a free online resource that offers printable templates (sorted by subject) print the "children" series and offer an array of skin tone options with Crayola's Multicultural crayons.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Shades of People by Shelley Rotner, The Colors of Us by Karen Katz, and What I Like About Me! By Allia Zobel Nolan

Other books by this illustrator: Behind the Lions: A Family Guide to the Art Institute of Chicago

The Giving Tree

Shel Silverstein (1964), 56 pages

Audience: All ages

Format: picture book

Silverstein uses sparse words and simple ink drawings to generate a simple yet poignant book. “Once there was a tree … and she loved a little boy” … So begins a lifelong relationship between tree and boy. As the young boy grows from a carefree child to an elderly old man his demands and needs increase, but the tree’s love never tires. With a somewhat sad and contemplative ending this is not your typical fairytale; this story is the ultimate lesson of give and take especially when it comes to conservationism. Your child's library is not complete without this book, so “branch out” and read this book.

For an activity accompaniment, have children look outside in the backyard or at a local park and find fallen leaves. Trace the outer edges and see how many different leave-shapes you can collect; older children may want to do a rubbing with paper and pencil.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Dandelion Seed by Joseph Anthony or Where Once There was a Wood by Denise Fleming

Other books by this author: A Giraffe and a Half, The Missing Piece, and Where the Sidewalk Ends