Colors are always a fun topic for little ones, but some colors don't have the best reputation. Grey is often associated with being dark, gloomy, and sad. Except the Color Grey acknowledges this stereotype and shows in the end that there is a very good side to grey as well! Arlene Alda uses her own photography to illustrate her books. The page background surrounding each photo is the color being discussed. This allows young readers to see a large sample of the color, see what it look like in writing, and experience the color in a real-life setting within the photograph. The photographs show nature scenes, people, signs, architecture, and animals.
The book also shows how colors can symbolize, and sometimes even evoke, moods. The first time grey is shown, it is presented as dreary in a black and white photo of a cloudy day. At the end of the book, however, grey is the color of the narrator's adorable bunny - a cute and fun picture indeed! Many games can be formed around this book and the topic of colors. Have your child think of other objects for each color; ask him or her how each color makes them 'feel'; or have them think of all the wonderful things they know that are grey (puppies, a warm blanket, a favorite toy, etc.).
My two year-old friend Sarah has so much fun with this book! She loves the photographs - particularly the one on the 'yellow' page of a street artist creating a face on the sidewalk from chalk. Sarah always turns to that page and spends a few moments studying it. For Christmas this year, I plan to get her some sidewalk chalk so she can create art in all colors too!
--Audra