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All the Colors of the Earth
Celebrate the colors of children and the colors of love—not black or white or yellow or red, but roaring brown, whispering gold, tinkling pink, and more. Sheila Hamanaka's All the Colors of the Earth is a classic to share alongside such favorites as We're Different, We're the Same, All Are Welcome, and The World Needs More Purple People. This beautifully illustrated book "celebrates the beauty of diversity to the fullest through engaging, rhyming text," commented Charnaie Gordon in her Brightly review. All the Colors of the Earth "would be a wonderful book to use in multicultural classrooms in schools." "How better to celebrate ethnic diversity than to look to children, the hope of the future? This glorious picture book does just that."— Booklist "A poetic picture book and an exemplary work of art. The simple text describes children's skin tones and hair in terms of natural phenomena and then describes love for these children with rich colors and flavors. A celebration of diversity." — School Library Journal
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 1994
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614 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
May 14, 2025
A celebration of the variety of skin tones in humans and their equivalents in nature.
One of those books where I like the point of it, but I also find it's rah-rah inspirational tone exceedingly boring to read.
One of those books where I like the point of it, but I also find it's rah-rah inspirational tone exceedingly boring to read.
April 24, 2022
One of those books about celebrating our differences in skin color and hair. There are newer titles with similar themes.
August 18, 2018
Heavy-handed but lovely all the same.
September 22, 2015
This book celebrates the diversity of individuals through images of children and families. This book is suitable for children aged 4 as there are vibrant colours that engage them and relate to earth and nature.
More specifically, the elements of unity and inclusion are portrayed through the story, hence a wonderful book that will allow the understanding of togetherness. Children will also recognise the different races and skin colour that exist, which will encourage the development of diversity. There will also be an emphasis on the beauty of physical and personality differences.
For education purposes, children can be taken outdoor to explore the colours of nature such as the sky, grass, leaves and rocks. Teachers can ask children to draw such objects and nature and be creative. Another activity could be a game where children identity their classmates without looking. This will help them understand the most important things about individuals, such as personality instead of physical characteristics.
Not only can this book be used for Art and Design, in terms of drawing people of different skin tone, but children can also use different medians to draw their friends and family. Another subject is English, where children can write or tell of short story about their friends and family. Children can do role play in groups to explore the thoughts and feelings of unity and togetherness.
More specifically, the elements of unity and inclusion are portrayed through the story, hence a wonderful book that will allow the understanding of togetherness. Children will also recognise the different races and skin colour that exist, which will encourage the development of diversity. There will also be an emphasis on the beauty of physical and personality differences.
For education purposes, children can be taken outdoor to explore the colours of nature such as the sky, grass, leaves and rocks. Teachers can ask children to draw such objects and nature and be creative. Another activity could be a game where children identity their classmates without looking. This will help them understand the most important things about individuals, such as personality instead of physical characteristics.
Not only can this book be used for Art and Design, in terms of drawing people of different skin tone, but children can also use different medians to draw their friends and family. Another subject is English, where children can write or tell of short story about their friends and family. Children can do role play in groups to explore the thoughts and feelings of unity and togetherness.
October 1, 2019
Did you know that National Diversity Day is this Friday, October 4, 2019? First established in 2005, National Diversity Day "is a day to celebrate and embrace who we are, despite our differences... A day to reflect on and learn about different cultures and ideologies. A day to vow acceptance and tolerance..." (from the National Diversity Day website). Today, I bring you a stunning book to read with your children this Friday, this week, or any time this year to help recognize and celebrate these differences. Using beautiful illustrations and easy-to-read verse, Sheila Hamanaka embraces and celebrates diversity in All the Colors of the Earth (published in 1994!).
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Written from her perspective as a Japanese-American mother raising children of multiethnic heritage, Hamanaka relates natural differences children see in each other (mainly through skin color and hair) to the natural differences we see in nature. She begins with "Children come in all the colors of the earth," and her lyrical (non-rhyming) verse is mirrored by rich oil paintings depicting the colors we see in nature. The children in her illustrations are diverse beyond skin color, hopefully allowing almost any child able to identify with a character from her book.
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But, this simple and accessible book is not only a celebration of differences; it's a celebration of love. The second half begins with "Children come in all the colors of love, in endless shades of you and me." In this section, we see children embracing and loving each other, but we also see diverse families -- multicultural families and diverse family units -- loving each other. Happiness abounds in these illustrations, making my girls and me both want to find friends and family with whom we can laugh and dance.
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If you liked this, check out:
* Honeysmoke by Fields
* Global Babies by the Global Fund for Children (wonderful board book series for the youngest audiences)
* Same, Same But Different by Kostecki-Shaw
* All the Colors We Are by Kissinger
* The Colors of Us by Katz
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Written from her perspective as a Japanese-American mother raising children of multiethnic heritage, Hamanaka relates natural differences children see in each other (mainly through skin color and hair) to the natural differences we see in nature. She begins with "Children come in all the colors of the earth," and her lyrical (non-rhyming) verse is mirrored by rich oil paintings depicting the colors we see in nature. The children in her illustrations are diverse beyond skin color, hopefully allowing almost any child able to identify with a character from her book.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But, this simple and accessible book is not only a celebration of differences; it's a celebration of love. The second half begins with "Children come in all the colors of love, in endless shades of you and me." In this section, we see children embracing and loving each other, but we also see diverse families -- multicultural families and diverse family units -- loving each other. Happiness abounds in these illustrations, making my girls and me both want to find friends and family with whom we can laugh and dance.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you liked this, check out:
* Honeysmoke by Fields
* Global Babies by the Global Fund for Children (wonderful board book series for the youngest audiences)
* Same, Same But Different by Kostecki-Shaw
* All the Colors We Are by Kissinger
* The Colors of Us by Katz
November 3, 2018
Summary: All the Colors of the Earth is a book that celebrates diversity. It is written in rhymes, so it flows well and is very easy to read. It explains how all children and people come in different colors, but they are all important. It also says how love comes in different ways, in different colors, but it is still always special. The book shows all the beautiful colors of the world.
Our thoughts: I thought this book was super simple, but also very important. To me, it kind of aligned with the song Jesus loves me that says "red, yellow, black, and white. They are precious in His sight." The pictures in this book were also very powerful. Some of them even looked heavenly. Even though this book isn't necessarily meant to be biblical, I would love to read it to my class to show that they are all important no matter who they are or what they look like. They are all created special and are all a work of art.
How I will use this book in my class: I would for sure read this book to my class no matter what age they were. It is important to introduce diversity at a young age to kids. They need to know that it is okay to look different, but everyone deserves to be loved and treated the same. I would also use this book with kids who were struggling readers. It is easy to follow along because it rhymes, and the pictures also are just as important in telling the story as the words are, if not more. I think my students would love this book.
Our thoughts: I thought this book was super simple, but also very important. To me, it kind of aligned with the song Jesus loves me that says "red, yellow, black, and white. They are precious in His sight." The pictures in this book were also very powerful. Some of them even looked heavenly. Even though this book isn't necessarily meant to be biblical, I would love to read it to my class to show that they are all important no matter who they are or what they look like. They are all created special and are all a work of art.
How I will use this book in my class: I would for sure read this book to my class no matter what age they were. It is important to introduce diversity at a young age to kids. They need to know that it is okay to look different, but everyone deserves to be loved and treated the same. I would also use this book with kids who were struggling readers. It is easy to follow along because it rhymes, and the pictures also are just as important in telling the story as the words are, if not more. I think my students would love this book.
June 3, 2021
A blessing I remain ever grateful for was the early lesson of human equality; no exceptions. Sheila Hamanaka's, "All the Colors of the Earth" reminds readers, young and old, that like the beauty of the diverse color pallet that paints our earth, sky, and waters there is beauty in the multitude of shades and hues the human family comes in.
Again, no exceptions.
There is a nostalgia in the illustrations of "All the Colors of the Earth" that transported me to my earliest memories of visiting my hometown's public library story time. The boldness, and softness, within each page reminds one that every texture is valuable too. It also helps one reflect on their own feelings of insecurity, but reassures one that if our beautiful planet contains anything that reflects others it must include me too.
It was a challenge to interpret this story in American Sign Language, given the flow of the words and images and their worthy cause. While I made the most of it, I would love to chat with someone else who has interpreted the piece for suggestions should I interpret it again.
I do hope for that second chance.
Whether it is in the communal space of the public library or classroom, or with the intimate and cozy glow of your living room, do not miss an opportunity to enjoy and remember Hamanaka's with everyone around you. No exceptions.
Again, no exceptions.
There is a nostalgia in the illustrations of "All the Colors of the Earth" that transported me to my earliest memories of visiting my hometown's public library story time. The boldness, and softness, within each page reminds one that every texture is valuable too. It also helps one reflect on their own feelings of insecurity, but reassures one that if our beautiful planet contains anything that reflects others it must include me too.
It was a challenge to interpret this story in American Sign Language, given the flow of the words and images and their worthy cause. While I made the most of it, I would love to chat with someone else who has interpreted the piece for suggestions should I interpret it again.
I do hope for that second chance.
Whether it is in the communal space of the public library or classroom, or with the intimate and cozy glow of your living room, do not miss an opportunity to enjoy and remember Hamanaka's with everyone around you. No exceptions.
November 14, 2018
This lovely story is about diversity and how every child on earth is a different color. It used nature, foods, and animals as figurative language to compare skin colors amongst the kids. It has a lyrical rhythm to it while reading which made it flow cohesively. It achieved this by using rhyming and writing the words in a wave-like motion across the page. I think this motion really enhanced the presentation of the book because it made you want to speak more poetic in your head or while reading aloud.
With reference to the illustrations, each scene is filled with the colors/shades of nature and has a different child(ren) in it. Using children as the main characters, it likely strongly appeals to their age group and makes them capable of putting themselves in their shoes. Through her use of oil paint on canvas, remarkable illustrations were produced that are textured, show depth, and even contour faces. I feel like the effort put into this creation was far beyond that of other children's book illustrators.
The message the book sends is imperative in todays world and should be delivered in every classroom. Being culturally, ethnically, or racially aware takes exposure to the subject. I would use this in my classroom to introduce different cultures from all around the world.
With reference to the illustrations, each scene is filled with the colors/shades of nature and has a different child(ren) in it. Using children as the main characters, it likely strongly appeals to their age group and makes them capable of putting themselves in their shoes. Through her use of oil paint on canvas, remarkable illustrations were produced that are textured, show depth, and even contour faces. I feel like the effort put into this creation was far beyond that of other children's book illustrators.
The message the book sends is imperative in todays world and should be delivered in every classroom. Being culturally, ethnically, or racially aware takes exposure to the subject. I would use this in my classroom to introduce different cultures from all around the world.
January 4, 2021
The entire concept of black, white, yellow, red is pretty nonsensical as any child can tell you. These colors simply literally aren't true: skin color is rarely as clear-cut as a crayon. People's skin and physical appearance might certainly dictate how they are treated, and might indicate how they move through the world, but in trying to describe the wide range of appearances, Hamanaka has more success in relying on a wide variety of natural descriptors. She uses animals, plants, and other objects found in nature to compare to the nuanced complexities of skin color and hair texture.
The reason I grabbed this book to begin with had to do with an extension activity: using this as a jumping-off point for readers to describe themselves using the world around them in a positive way. Making the connections between who we are and what we look like as compared to the world around us. And if the world around us is beautiful, why, then we are, too.
The reason I grabbed this book to begin with had to do with an extension activity: using this as a jumping-off point for readers to describe themselves using the world around them in a positive way. Making the connections between who we are and what we look like as compared to the world around us. And if the world around us is beautiful, why, then we are, too.
September 24, 2023
Rhyming text can engage readers... and maybe also help them learn how to read, fine tuning their ears to differences and similarities of sound. So that may be my favorite aspect of this well-intended book.
The text celebrates the Brotherhood of Child. (In its way, just as real as the Brotherhood of Man.)
Mostly, the author alternates observations about racial characteristics -- skin color and hair -- with feelgood, poetic type language, such as:
"Love is amber and ivory and ginger and sweet"
Note that SWEET is a distinctive flavor of all the words and pictures, an unalloyed sweetness that somehow never resonated with me.
Personally, I've been influenced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to care more about the content of a person's character than the color of a person's skin.
But it takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders. In honor of the kindly intent of this book, I will rate it with FIVE STARS.
The text celebrates the Brotherhood of Child. (In its way, just as real as the Brotherhood of Man.)
Mostly, the author alternates observations about racial characteristics -- skin color and hair -- with feelgood, poetic type language, such as:
"Love is amber and ivory and ginger and sweet"
Note that SWEET is a distinctive flavor of all the words and pictures, an unalloyed sweetness that somehow never resonated with me.
Personally, I've been influenced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to care more about the content of a person's character than the color of a person's skin.
But it takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders. In honor of the kindly intent of this book, I will rate it with FIVE STARS.
October 9, 2017
Summary:: This is a very simple book that compares the colors of children to various aspects of the world. It mentions their hair textures and colors, skin colors, and makes comparisons to the sky, wheat, honey, animals, and other natural colors on earth.
Evaluation:This is a very simple book written in poetic lines, that is full of imagery and comparison. It is an excellent book to use for children to understand that people have different colors and it is completely normal just like the different colors on earth.
Teaching Idea:This is a book that can be used to explore diversity and begin a discussion with students about how all people are different. Children will learn to discover and appreciate people of all different races and colors, seeing a beauty in each person.
September 24, 2017
This is a lovely book to read to young learners. It is a poetic description of the beauty of all the colors that children represent across the world. There is a whimsy to the language that makes this a quick but engaging read and the rhyming words makes this a great choice for the early grades. I like the way the author personifies the adjectives when describing different characteristics of children. It lends a thoughtfulness to the nature of the story and also makes the story feel playful; perfect for young readers.
October 6, 2017
I absolutely love this children's book! I have used this book many times throughout my teaching career. The beautiful wording, accompanied by stunning pictures, are really moving. I love that the beauty in nature is connected to the beauty of the variety of skin color of children on earth. This book also does an amazing job of depicting families of all races, as well as interracial couples. It relays a message of pride for all colors. All the Colors of the Earth is an excellent book for younger students, but can be appreciated by people of all ages.
June 27, 2018
This book features a short, descriptive narrative printed in a large font, accompanied by colorful illustrations created with oil paints on canvas. Many of the images seem pixellated by the closeup view of the paint on the canvas.
The message of the poem is beautiful, but I feel as though it would feel somewhat awkward to read it aloud. Maybe it's just me.
The rhyme scheme doesn't flow very smoothly, at least for the first couple of lines, and while that doesn't bother me all that much, I think children would enjoy flowing, lyrical rhymes more.
The message of the poem is beautiful, but I feel as though it would feel somewhat awkward to read it aloud. Maybe it's just me.
The rhyme scheme doesn't flow very smoothly, at least for the first couple of lines, and while that doesn't bother me all that much, I think children would enjoy flowing, lyrical rhymes more.
October 9, 2017
This would be a great book to share in an elementary or even middle school classroom! The illustrations in this book are amazing, and so is the moral behind the book! It talks about how children come in all colors, but that doesn't mean they are any different. We are all still humans. Especially with today's world, I think everyone needs to read this book. I will be reading this book to my future students.
March 11, 2020
If this were just a book about colors, I think it could be charming and beautiful. But then it stretches itself into a pedantic lesson about people's hair. I think developing and fostering a love of inclusivity is valuable and beautiful in education. But children don't want to be hit over the head with a didactic lesson.
More useful for teachers in their social instruction rather than enjoyable for children to read on their own.
More useful for teachers in their social instruction rather than enjoyable for children to read on their own.
April 13, 2020
This book is a good short, simple book that could work for elementary or even middle school kids. The text is very catchy, simple, and easy, and it uses rhyming words. The illustrations of the book are very engaging; the pictures are big for all children to see. This book is good to use for lesson plans that raise cultural awareness or recognizing self as unique individuals. It is also a good book to use when teaching young children about diversity, even at an early age.
January 18, 2021
The book is pretty good with the poetry in it, but really the skin tones are not the most accurate. This is a case of you need to leave your science brain behind. I did enjoy the book, I liked the style of the art. I liked the way the pictures were kind of in the lines and kind of out of the lines. I liked the way the artist used dots to make the images. I thought the poetry was pretty goo. It's fun to hear. The point was to tell people that different color people can all be friends.
May 6, 2022
Beautiful soft illustration. Great first read and intro into the thought of differences in colour skin the world etc. I think anyone reading into this in terms of the colours being scientifically correct is over doing the review a little bit. This is a children's picture book. It's to start those themes thinking and create a positive mindset early on about our differences. My son liked the illustration and was babbling away listening to the poetry.
August 18, 2018
I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. It has such a beautiful message of appreciating diversity. I love the poetic language and gentle, colorful illustrations. This would be a great book for any child but especially for a child who feels they look different than their family or friends because of the color of their skin.
December 2, 2018
amazing job of getting across the point that children come in all different colors, and that we should learn to accept who we are and accept what makes us different. Not only does it show many different cultured kids, but also pairs them with an element or animal in nature that also shares that color
March 11, 2020
Lovely poem with terrific pictures. Don't expect a story or a sing-song rhyme. Instead, read it for a celebration of childhood... any childhood, not just the one that your little is enjoying.
Ah, I can't say it well. Just know that it's a strong 4 star read for me, and a strong recommendation for families.
Ah, I can't say it well. Just know that it's a strong 4 star read for me, and a strong recommendation for families.
April 14, 2020
I find the book great to have out in ones classroom. This is a book that will represent everyone in the classroom. Additionally, it will be a great book that will bring the classroom together. This will be an appreciation for everyone. One comment is that I personally feel the colors could be more detailed.
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September 9, 2020I thought I'd read this book as it could help with diversity found within districts. "Children come in all the colors of love, and endless shades of you and me". It was a very interesting read; I listened to it as an Audio Book and there were a countless number of natural-noises in the background of the reading which really set a mood and setting.
June 2, 2017
This book does a unique job of showing kids that we come in all different colors, from white to tan to dark. And, no matter what, we are unique for a reason. This is really cool for kids to see and realize that everyone is different, just like nature has different colors.
June 9, 2018
All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka celebrates diversity; making beautiful comparisons between the complexity of our earth to the variety of people on it through her words and colorful illustrations.
June 10, 2018
A simple yet lovely story about how we are all part of the earth....our skin color doesn't make us different, it makes us the same. Beautiful comparisons to the creatures of our planet and our hair and skin colors.
June 11, 2018
This picture book presents happy children of every color in comparison with the beauty of nature and animals. Our favorite line is “Children come in all the colors of love, In endless shades of you and me. “ 💓
February 11, 2019
I loved this book! It is an amazing book that celebrates our differences. The book talks about how we have different color skin and different hair, but we are all part of the Earth. I also enjoyed the unique descriptions of the colors along with the beautiful illustrations.
September 10, 2019
The figurative language in this book is unreal! It is so good and the illustrations back up everything that was being said. Easy read and very descriptive! A good book when learning about figurative language!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews