Judith Drews

Hello Lilac — Good Morning, Yellow is a book about colors that's perfect for very young listeners and sure to invite conversation and participation. Each color is featured on a two-page illustration with a very simple introduction,

"Good day, Brown. You look so cuddly."

On the facing page, you will find things that are commonly in that color, e.g., soil, basket, door, bun

What is so interesting in this book translated from German, is the phrasing and choice of items. For example, orange's page says

"Dear Orange, I prefer to eat you cold."

An unusual sentiment, but understandable from a child's point of view. What child doesn't prefer a crisp carrot or juicy orange to cooked squash?

On the brown page, in addition to the above, you will find poop (!). On the white page, amidst the more common items (snowman, egg, bone, sheep), you'll find toilet paper, a syringe, and a plug. These choices seem peculiar, but they give us an insight into parenting in Germany, and they reflect the wide variety of items that kids will actually see, whether we choose to point them out or not! Also making them more endearing is the fact that they are drawn in a manner similar to a child's drawing.

So, go ahead - point out those jellyfish, trophies, bird cages, screws, and gnats. I'm sure it will result in some interesting conversation! The more I look at it, the more it grows on me.

More at https://shelf-employed.blogspot.com/2018/12/picture-book-roundup-upcoming-new-an...

My copy of the book was provided by the book's publicist.… (meer)