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More Than Peach

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Penned by the very first Crayon Activist, Bellen Woodard, this picture book will tug at readers' heartstrings and inspire them to make a difference!

When Bellen Woodard’s classmates referred to "the skin-color” crayon, in a school and classroom she had always loved, she knew just how important it was that everyone understood that “skin can be any number of beautiful colors.” This stunning picture book spreads Bellen’s message of inclusivity, empowerment, and the importance of inspiring the next generation of leaders. Bellen created the More Than Peach Project and crayons with every single kid in mind to transform the crayon industry and grow the way we see our world. And Bellen has done just that!



This moving book includes back matter about becoming a leader and improving your community just like Bellen. Her wisdom and self- confidence are sure to encourage any young reader looking to use their voice to make even great spaces better!

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 26, 2022

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252 people want to read

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Bellen Woodard

3 books10 followers

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5 stars
222 (45%)
4 stars
196 (40%)
3 stars
67 (13%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for J. Muro.
245 reviews4 followers
October 24, 2025
Many blessings and many more thanks to Bellen! I wish I had crayons beyond “peach” colour as a kid and it affected me deeply as an artist,…and still does. I remember how it made me feel. This book made me feel better for those in the future.
Profile Image for Cheriee Weichel.
2,520 reviews49 followers
November 5, 2022
Bellen Woodward, in grade 6 at the time of this book, is responsible for Crayola coming out with Crayola Colours of the World Crayons, crayons that reflect the many different skin colours of children around the world.
Bellen began by just changing the language around the one crayon called flesh. Instead of handing it over when someone asked for the skin colour crayon, she replied, "Which one? Skin can be any number of beautiful crayons." Soon this way of looking at crayons and skin colour was reflected across her school.
This part of the story was clear to me, but what happened after that to influence Crayola is not. Still I appreciate the section that sets out, in general terms, how anyone can bring change into the world.
Profile Image for Joseph.
399 reviews165 followers
June 30, 2023
Really great book about something always relevant, at least to me. I'm a teacher and I work in schools that are predominately Latino in student population. I've seen countless brown kids coloring self portraits in peach, or even yellow. I've even seen a couple teachers adamantly tell students to color with the peach crayon specifically.

I've asked so many kids why they were doing this. I would hold up the brown crayon and show them they can use that one too, be it lightly colored or heavily colored to better capture their likeness. Even mixing the brown and peach at times. It's always an interesting experience. Even when I was reading this book, on my break at work, I witnessed this exact thing happen literally 10 minutes later when it was time for the students to draw themselves for their assignment. It could seem small but it's pretty important. This book was cute and handled it well.
Profile Image for Dedra.
455 reviews10 followers
October 3, 2022
There are just so many things to love about this book. A definite must purchase and must share profusely for school libraries!
Profile Image for Nancy.
274 reviews
January 27, 2025
Such a cute and sweet book! I love the project Bellen started! It’s awesome! 👏🏽 My daughter has out grown this cute book. I am sad to pass it on but I must.
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,251 reviews31 followers
January 10, 2024
When one of Bellen's classmates asked her to pass the "skin color crayon", this caused Bellen to think outside of the box, and decided to change the language and the crayon industry with a little help from family, friends, and community. Today the more than a peach project has grown into a global movement.
50 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2023
"More Than Peach" is a children's book that explores the idea of identity and self-acceptance. The story follows a young girl who becomes frustrated when she cannot find a crayon that matches her skin tone. She begins to question why there is no crayon for her and why she has to settle for a "peach" color.
The main character's name is a mystery, but the story is presented in first person, providing the reader access to the thoughts and feelings of the main character. The setting is a classroom at school, and the girl is surrounded by classmates who all appear to have found the ideal crayon to match their skin tones.
The girl's effort to find a crayon that matches her skin tone serves as the main focus of the story. She tries a variety of colors, but nothing fits well. She becomes increasingly frustrated after hearing the repeated phrase, "The skin color crayon," which ultimately referred to peach.
The book's use of color is one of its most impressive literary elements. The girl's search to find a crayon that matches her skin tone serves as an important reminder of the value of diversity and representation. The illustrations' use of color also gives the story more depth and emotion. Soft lines and vibrant colors in the simple but beautiful artwork make the book visually appealing.
Overall, "More Than Peach" is an important and relevant book that encourages self-acceptance and embraces diversity. Young readers will be able to relate to the characters and setting, and its message is straightforward but effective. The book's literary and visual elements connect to make reading it an unforgettable and powerful experience. Because of this, this book deserves a 5-star rating.
51 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2023
"More Than Peach" by Isabella Rotman is a charming children's book that celebrates diversity and individuality. The story takes place in a classroom setting, where a young girl named Jasmyn struggles to find a crayon that matches her skin tone.

The plot follows Jasmyn as she searches through a box of crayons labeled "skin-colored" and realizes that none of the shades match her skin tone. She then shares her frustration with her classmates, who all join in to help her find a solution. Together, they discover a wide range of colors that reflect the unique skin tones of everyone in their classroom.

The characters in the book are diverse and inclusive, representing a range of ethnicities and backgrounds. Jasmyn is a relatable protagonist who faces a common problem that many children of color can relate to. Her classmates, who are eager to help her find a solution, are also endearing and supportive.

The book's illustrations are colorful and whimsical, adding to the overall cheerful tone of the story. The writing is simple and straightforward, making it accessible to young readers.

I gave this book 5 stars because it is an uplifting and empowering book that encourages children to embrace their individuality and appreciate the beauty of diversity. It's a great addition to any children's library and a wonderful tool for parents and educators to start conversations about race and inclusivity with young children.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
213 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2022
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Eleven-year-old Bellen Woodard enjoys spending time with her family and learning new things in school. She notices one day that while creating art, her classmates refer to the peach crayon as the “skin color crayon.” Bellen knows that skin colors come in all different shades so she makes it a point to gently remind her classmates that all skin colors are beautiful and there are so many more shades out there than peach.

More Than Peach is a sweet book that encourages inclusivity and creativity in children. It’s also an important conversation to have considering that the peach crayon was originally called “flesh” which essentially excluded everyone who wasn’t that particular skin color. More Than Peach details how Bellen was able to thoughtfully get her classmates thinking about language and inclusivity and eventually, the conversation happens on a national level when Bellen founds her organization which aims to get multicultural crayons in the hands of schools all over the country.

Illustrations by Fanny Liem are bright and colorful with a good amount of details to keep kids interested in Bellen’s world. The book closes with some tips on starting a community drive (like Bellen’s art supplies drive) and becoming a leader.
Profile Image for Sara.
434 reviews7 followers
March 2, 2023
Meet Bellen Woodard, the very FIRST crayon activist! This book is honestly the perfect true story to share with your children and/or class.

📖 Join Bellen as she wakes up for school, enjoys the hustle and bustle of the morning rush with her family, and greets her friends in class.
The day starts much like the others, a coloring activity with friends in class. When a classmate asks the table for the “skin-color crayon” something unsettles Bellen. She’s heard this question before and it is always answered with a peach color crayon being handed over.

📖 Later that night, Bellen brings up the incident with her mother. Talking it through sparks an idea and she develops a plan for the next day at school. It’s amazing how a simple switch in replies can spark a major change!

“Which one? Skin can be any number of beautiful colors.”

📖Like a seed planted in early spring this new reply grows throughout Bellen’s class and school. Luckily she doesn’t stop there!

📖This is an amazing read, a true inspirational story that every child needs to hear. Bellen has made history and is changing the world. What better way to kick off the month of March!
50 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2023
Early Primary/ Primary Grades
Realistic Fiction

LOVE THIS CHILDREN'S BOOK !!

This is a beautiful short story about inclusivity, wisdom, and self- confidence. In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a young student goes to color a self-portrait and discovers that there is a limited option of skin colors in her box of crayons. This student discovers that the peach colored crayon is most often referred to as the “skin colored” crayon although it does not accurately represent her and her beautiful skin. This story has inspired a global movement of inclusivity and single handedly pushed a major corporation to release a new line of crayons that represents various skin colors in order to make children feel better represented in cases similar to the main character. Bellen’s. This is a moving story that should be read to children of all ages. It delivers a strong message about the power of using your voice and bettering your community.
49 reviews
January 18, 2023
This is a very inspiring book for all, and a great way to talk about tough subjects in a classroom with young learners!

This book takes place in an elementary classroom, where a young girl of color wishes to color with utensils that better represent her and her skin color. She is determined to make a change to represent all children of color. The cover is intriguing because of the color and the young girl with a beautiful smile on the front. The cover itself makes readers want to read the whole book, and the storyline is even better.

I gave this book 5 stars because I love the color, the inspiration/motivation it provides to all learners to make a positive change in something they are passionate about, and also to discuss a tough subject appropriately with students.
Profile Image for Karen Gedeon.
981 reviews5 followers
February 2, 2023
More than Peach: Changing the world…one crayon at a time! Written by Bellen Woodard illustrated by Fanny Liem. Tween author Woodard documents the story of her push for multicolor skin tone crayons in this full color picture book. Although clunky at times Woodard does her best to motivate youngsters to be the change they want to see. Beautiful, full color illustrations represent all types of kids along with Woodard family photos will draw readers of all ages in. While extensive back matter is comprised of directions for young readers on how to take action and more on her rise to fame, the story itself feels like it is missing parts which could easily be explained by the author’s age or picture book style. Overall it will be inspirational to some readers. Grades 2-5.
Profile Image for Anna W. .
584 reviews23 followers
May 9, 2023
Every child needs this story!! Bellen was a student in elementary when her table-mate asked for the "skin color" crayon; she handed over the peach colored crayon but didn't feel good about it. Her own skin was brown, so why did the other student assume a skin-colored crayon would be peach?

She starts asking students "Which color do you want?" when asked about skin color, and her class is very receptive. She thinks, If I can make this kind of difference in MY class, maybe I can make a difference elsewhere too.

And so she started the More Than Peach Project and became a crayon activist.

HOW COOL!? I'm so impressed by this book and the message for kiddos. There are informational pages at the end too, showing students more about Bellen's project and what they can do to help.
Profile Image for Emma Claire.
65 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2024
Spoiler-free summary:
""More Than Peach" by Michel Potter is a children's book that addresses issues of identity and diversity. It tells the story of a young girl who feels limited by the use of the color "peach" to represent skin tones in art class. She decides to use various colors to depict herself and others, highlighting the beauty of diversity. The book encourages readers, especially children, to celebrate differences and promotes inclusivity by emphasizing that everyone should be represented and valued regardless of skin color." (ChatGPT, June 21, 2024).

Commentary:
This book relates to students that are in the classroom now. I know that when they mention the "skin color crayon" inside this story, I fall under the category of people who would refer to that crayon as that color. Even as an adult, this story made an impact on me, and I was able to personally relate to it. This is a great story the get students involved due to their similar experiences. I could use this story during black history month and help spread awareness of these stereotypes and what we can do to make everyone feel equal.

Application:
I would personally keep this book in my library and use it during our daily read that we do during our free time. This is a story that can easily be followed by an activity such as doing an activity where the students pair up and then have a piece of paper where they draw each other with crayons and markers. Then they will list the similarities and differences between the two students. This is a great way to see that no matter what you look like, we could all be treated the same.
Profile Image for Melissa.
2,761 reviews
September 21, 2022
Bellen is just my favorite person right now.

https://www.morethanpeach.com/pages/b...

Not that long ago, a coworker of mine told me about the Crayola Colors of the World. I got so excited! I love to use colored pencils and found I got annoyed that I couldn't color black hair correctly and I rarely colored skin because they never looked right either. She saw my excitement and grabbed the last box on the shelf for me. The box was torn on the back and she spent about an hour doctoring it up. These stories just make me happy.

https://shop.crayola.com/color-and-dr...
Profile Image for Liz.
2,217 reviews25 followers
November 22, 2022
After always be asked for the "skin-colored" crayon, she asked her mom for help, and the next time she said, "Which one? Skin can be any number of beautiful colors." She started a movement in her classroom, which spread to the whole school, and it's now all over the country with her More Than Peach brand of crayons that embrace all skin colors. A great example of a kid sparking and leading a big change in a way that impacts kids as they do a common activity--coloring. I wish this was a non-fiction book with more information about the process, but as a picture book it's a great one to read in the beginning of the school year to set the language for the classroom.
76 reviews
Read
March 22, 2023
A little girl is in class and notices that her classmates are asking to use the "skin color crayon" which is the color peach. The majority of her classroom is white as well as the teacher and she points out that no one else seems bothered by those questions. Next time a student asks for the skin color, she says "what kind of color? skin can be any number of colors". She changed the way her classmates think and it affected the whole school and other schools as well. I would read this book before doing a coloring activity to further remind the children there is no "skin color" crayon and that there's many "skin color' crayons.
Profile Image for Dina.
556 reviews
June 26, 2023
A picture book biography that tells the story of how one child can change the world in a positive way! As Bellen writes in the book, "More than Peach is about more than crayons." This book tells Bellen's story when her class was asked, "Does anyone have the skin-color crayon?", referring to the peach colored crayon. Bellen decided to change the narrative to, "Which one? Skin can be any number of beautiful colors." From this answer, Bellen changed the narrative in her class, in her school, and started a community effort. Back matter adds to this book. I added this book to my next book order list. I am excited to share this book with my students next year! Two thumbs up for this book!
Profile Image for Sally.
2,316 reviews12 followers
August 20, 2022
An important book for all libraries.
[Bellen] doesn't think it's right that her classmates always ask for the 'skin-color crayon.'
"This question didn't seem to bother my teachers. Or my friends. Why was I the only one feelig confused?"
..."the next time that question rings out, I reply: "Which one? Skin can be any number of beautiful colors?""

First she changed the language, and became the pioneer of "Skin-color" crayons.
Her product can be found in museum shops, Target, and morethanpeach.com.

Back matter includes a biography of her mission and steps to make change in the world.


Profile Image for Pam.
9,838 reviews54 followers
October 7, 2022
I received an electronic ARC from Scholastic, Inc.
Bellen shares her story as she remembers how it felt when the peach crayon was referred to as the "skin colored" crayon. She began dialogue about all the tones skin can be so why was only one crayon referred to as "skin colored." Readers see her change her class, her school, her community, and push to change the way the world looks at crayons. She was successful and finishes the story by encouraging readers to make their own changes. Informative text offers ideas and help to get started.
Profile Image for Sylvia Chen.
Author 2 books38 followers
December 21, 2022
Filled with engaging art showing wide-ranging emotions with relatable expressiveness, and wonderfully diverse representation of kids, MORE THAN PEACH presents a common-yet-often-not-addressed issue by sharing effective wording, thoughts, and actions based on the author's own experience. Written with a candid, emotive, and inspiring voice, this book is a wonder to read and see the origins of Bellen Woodard's awe-inspiring More than Peach Project. I can't wait to gift this book to my son's elementary school library!
55 reviews
April 19, 2023
"More Than Peach" follows Eleven-year-old Bellen Woodard (author). She notices one day that while creating art, her classmates refer to the peach crayon as the “skin color crayon.” Bellen knows that skin colors come in all different shades so she makes it a point to gently remind her classmates that all skin colors are beautiful and there are so many more shades out there than peach. This book is great for young students. It discusses a hard topic in a kid-friendly way. It is an easy book to pull out if you ever hear your students asking for the "skin-colored" crayon.
Profile Image for skcocnaH.
2,094 reviews7 followers
October 29, 2022
I’m not gonna lie— there were parts of the illustrations that bordered on creepy (lookin’ at you, mouths!), BUT overall I really liked the concept of this book. I REMEMBER people calling peach the “skin color” crayon growing up. And this was despite the fact that I even grew up in a relatively diverse area. Words matter so much, and this book does a good job of emphasizing that without shaming anyone.
Profile Image for Margaret Boling.
2,730 reviews43 followers
February 4, 2023
1/28/2023 ~ A tale of the idea of the "skin tone" crayon...not everyone is peach. Also a testament to the power of children and how they can see the world differently than adults.

I "read" this as an online video. I'd like to know if there is back matter in the book to give further context.

Update 2/4/23: Yep, tons of backmatter! Great inspiration for kids wanting make a change in their world.
Profile Image for MrsK Books.
526 reviews11 followers
February 16, 2023
Wow... how often have you been frustrated trying to use the white or peach color when creating your images of children or family members? This is such a sweet book about a young girl who decided to do something about crayons that didn't fit the assigned self-image assignment.

This book will create "thought-provoking" discussions about taking an idea, checking resources, and designing an innovative answer for the good of everyone.
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
Profile Image for Katie Myers.
56 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2023
1st - 3rd Grade
Fiction

This book is a really important book for kids. This is a book where kids can learn about skin color and the difference between each other in an appropriate way. Skin tones can be any number of colors, and sometimes kids don't see that in their classroom, so it's important to be able to discuss that with kids and explain that different doesn't mean bad. Everyone is beautiful. It's also an opportunity to show kids crayons and continue the discussion. Great book!
Profile Image for Tanya.
1,782 reviews
August 29, 2022
“Change is a community effort.” This book provides a much needed wake-up call thar language matters and a movement can start small so all people get the recognition they deserve, because skin does come in many beautiful colors. It also reveals that change can be brought about by anyone of any age. Recommend for school libraries.
Profile Image for Heather.
252 reviews
October 10, 2022
Bellen Woodard is the president of the More Than Peach Project. She is the 1st Crayon Activist and was the pioneer of "skin color" crayons. Skin tones are more than just peach. (Peach was called "flesh". Creepy.) She began this when she was only 8. Another example of "Be the change you want to see in the world." Amazing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews

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