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Between the Lines
With vibrant art that shifts to a colorless world and back again, this is a story of a community lost and rediscovered—and how one child’s actions can cascade into something that makes all the difference.
A young boy who loves his community notices that as neighbors stop interacting, the colors around them slowly fade. Then a thunderstorm sweeps away the last hints of bluebird skies and lemon-Popsicle days and leaves a rift in the road that doesn’t get fixed. As the adults around him move on, the boy dreams of the way life once was. He decides that he doesn’t want to live in a world without color, so he sets out to change things…
A young boy who loves his community notices that as neighbors stop interacting, the colors around them slowly fade. Then a thunderstorm sweeps away the last hints of bluebird skies and lemon-Popsicle days and leaves a rift in the road that doesn’t get fixed. As the adults around him move on, the boy dreams of the way life once was. He decides that he doesn’t want to live in a world without color, so he sets out to change things…
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2021
85 people are currently reading
4042 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Ward
46 books237 followersLindsay Ward has a BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her most recent books include It’s Show and Tell, Dexter! and Don’t Forget Dexter!, books 1 and 2 in the Dexter T. Rexter Series with Two Lions. She is also the author and illustrator of Brobarians (Two Lions, 2017), The Importance of Being 3 (Dial 2016), Rosco vs. the Baby (S&S, 2016), Henry Finds His Word (Dial, 2015), a Choose to Read Ohio Book, When Blue Met Egg (Dial, 2012), and Please Bring Balloons (Dial, 2013), which was produced into a play by the New York City Children’s Theater in 2017. Her work has been reviewed in Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, and the New York Times. Lindsay is currently working on a new board book series, I Go!, with HarperCollins, due Summer 2019 and This Book Is Gray, a new picture book with Two Lions. She is the founder of Critter Lit (www.critterlit.com), a free picture book manuscript and illustration critique service for up-and-coming authors and illustrators. Lindsay lives in Peninsula, Ohio with her husband, two sons, and dog. Visit her online at www.lindsaymward.com or follow her on Twitter @lindsaymward.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
September 30, 2021
An okay story. Why did the colors disappear? The rain/lightning? I read it twice and still don't get it.
Kindle First (September)
Kindle First (September)
November 17, 2021
Pretty, but vague
The art work is beautiful and detailed, inviting the reader/listeners to explore the illustrations. The story is simple, but IMO a little vague. Neither the text nor the illustrations do an adequate job of explaining why the color drained from the world. Was it the storm? Or was it the mysterious trench that appeared and separate one side of the square from the other? But why? Or was it that the people were separated emotionally/psychologically as well as physically? And was all it took filling the trench and fixing the road and working together?
Received from Amazon First Reads for an honest review.
The art work is beautiful and detailed, inviting the reader/listeners to explore the illustrations. The story is simple, but IMO a little vague. Neither the text nor the illustrations do an adequate job of explaining why the color drained from the world. Was it the storm? Or was it the mysterious trench that appeared and separate one side of the square from the other? But why? Or was it that the people were separated emotionally/psychologically as well as physically? And was all it took filling the trench and fixing the road and working together?
Received from Amazon First Reads for an honest review.
February 21, 2023
This book is so beautiful and well written. We sure are forgetting how it is like to be outdoors and we have ruined the natural environment around us.
Such a great depiction.
Love the illustrations.
Such a great depiction.
Love the illustrations.
September 3, 2021
An interesting take in change. Kindness goes a long way when shared with the world.
Rating: G
Language: clean read
Recommend: yes
Rating: G
Language: clean read
Recommend: yes
September 1, 2021
In this story lies a call to action for young children: Never lose love and care for your community or risk the beautiful color embodying it.
Beautiful writing matched with lovely illustrations and a message for the hearts in need of sharing.
4/5
Beautiful writing matched with lovely illustrations and a message for the hearts in need of sharing.
4/5
October 11, 2021
Though the book features gorgeous illustrations by the author, the story is a little confusing. The words tell of how the colors are washed away by a thunderstorm, but the artwork hints that a rift between the citizens may be the real cause. Now it's up to one little boy to somehow fix everything.
?
It's sure a pretty book, anyway . . .
?
It's sure a pretty book, anyway . . .
October 4, 2021
SPOILER WARNING
I bought this with my Amazon Prime First Reads discount.
I loved the message this book was trying to convey but I didn't feel it conveyed it clearly.
The narrator was fitting, a boy in the community who had loved playing with the other kids but got cut off after a big disaster. His character was the only solid piece of the story, I think.
The pictures fit in their chalky picture book even street art feel in both color and black and white. I loved the two-page spreads, especially the lightning piece. But that was coupled by mixed feelings of having to rotate the book in order to see some of them in the right orientation. It breaks the flow somewhat.
The plot and world building could use some work unfortunately, because I really wanted to like this book.
I get that the community was losing its color but only the synopsis said that it was due to people not interacting with each other. The book text only said the people were too busy to notice the colors were fading.
Then there was no real explanation as to why a thunderstorm would wash out all the color in one fell swoop. At first, I thought it was due to the rain but overall I would think rain should have happened before and later when the rain returned it didn’t wash out anything. In fact, the color came back after the rain.
I personally think as impressive as the lightning storm was, it probably shouldn’t have been part of the story. It stole the story’s thunder, if you will, by having me at least feel the cause of the color drain was the storm, not the non-interaction of the community. In fact, I only saw details of the non-interaction as a response to the after-storm color drain which easily makes me forget the mention that color was draining already and maybe (not explicitly stated, mind you) due to the community.
And when the second storm came, I thought it would indeed be the villain ruining the boy’s hard work in cleaning up the city (not banding together the citizens).
In being worried for the people’s safety and their color drain, I totally missed that the community this time weathered the storm sheltered together instead of their separate houses.
But even that didn’t explain to me the text “a whisper. A smile. A laugh burst from the dark.”
There was just too little transition time textually to make me pivot from the feeling of dread to laughing together.
I loved what came after, how the community of people felt warm together again and I could see the color coming back in the shadowy dawn light. But again the colors came back visually after the rain, further misleading me to feel it was the rain that caused the color changes.
It would have helped the message of the story more if the colors had started to come back gradually as they were all cleaning up together. (Like the cover, actually. So why didn’t the interior art use that? Now it’s just misleading and somewhat like false advertising.)
The boy could have said “Hey look, everyone! It’s working! Let’s keep going and we’ll bring back the color!”
But no, the color didn’t come back until after the rain.
I felt instead of filling between the lines, I had to read between the lines too much.
The overall message of bringing back the community camaraderie is sound but the execution was way too unclear for me to appreciate the story as it should be appreciated.
I bought this with my Amazon Prime First Reads discount.
I loved the message this book was trying to convey but I didn't feel it conveyed it clearly.
The narrator was fitting, a boy in the community who had loved playing with the other kids but got cut off after a big disaster. His character was the only solid piece of the story, I think.
The pictures fit in their chalky picture book even street art feel in both color and black and white. I loved the two-page spreads, especially the lightning piece. But that was coupled by mixed feelings of having to rotate the book in order to see some of them in the right orientation. It breaks the flow somewhat.
The plot and world building could use some work unfortunately, because I really wanted to like this book.
I get that the community was losing its color but only the synopsis said that it was due to people not interacting with each other. The book text only said the people were too busy to notice the colors were fading.
Then there was no real explanation as to why a thunderstorm would wash out all the color in one fell swoop. At first, I thought it was due to the rain but overall I would think rain should have happened before and later when the rain returned it didn’t wash out anything. In fact, the color came back after the rain.
I personally think as impressive as the lightning storm was, it probably shouldn’t have been part of the story. It stole the story’s thunder, if you will, by having me at least feel the cause of the color drain was the storm, not the non-interaction of the community. In fact, I only saw details of the non-interaction as a response to the after-storm color drain which easily makes me forget the mention that color was draining already and maybe (not explicitly stated, mind you) due to the community.
And when the second storm came, I thought it would indeed be the villain ruining the boy’s hard work in cleaning up the city (not banding together the citizens).
In being worried for the people’s safety and their color drain, I totally missed that the community this time weathered the storm sheltered together instead of their separate houses.
But even that didn’t explain to me the text “a whisper. A smile. A laugh burst from the dark.”
There was just too little transition time textually to make me pivot from the feeling of dread to laughing together.
I loved what came after, how the community of people felt warm together again and I could see the color coming back in the shadowy dawn light. But again the colors came back visually after the rain, further misleading me to feel it was the rain that caused the color changes.
It would have helped the message of the story more if the colors had started to come back gradually as they were all cleaning up together. (Like the cover, actually. So why didn’t the interior art use that? Now it’s just misleading and somewhat like false advertising.)
The boy could have said “Hey look, everyone! It’s working! Let’s keep going and we’ll bring back the color!”
But no, the color didn’t come back until after the rain.
I felt instead of filling between the lines, I had to read between the lines too much.
The overall message of bringing back the community camaraderie is sound but the execution was way too unclear for me to appreciate the story as it should be appreciated.
April 24, 2023
I received Between the Lines as a Prime Monthly Benefit of a free book and I thank the author, Lindsay Ward for this free book.
Between the Lines is a great book to encourage young children to use their imagination and enjoy reading. The illustrations are excellent and help get the message of the story across using color to make it easy for young pre-readers to understand the story line. When I read it to my four-year old group they asked for a second and third reading, which translates that they really liked the book. As a early childhood educator for many years, I think this one is a wonderful book to promote pre-reading skills.
Between the Lines is a great book to encourage young children to use their imagination and enjoy reading. The illustrations are excellent and help get the message of the story across using color to make it easy for young pre-readers to understand the story line. When I read it to my four-year old group they asked for a second and third reading, which translates that they really liked the book. As a early childhood educator for many years, I think this one is a wonderful book to promote pre-reading skills.
September 5, 2021
Beautiful children's book that we adults need to read and heed! A parable of our times.
December 6, 2021
I can’t remember why this was on my tbr list….but I read it.
October 25, 2021
The words and imagery are not as clearly connected as I would like. The heart energy is the right place.
Read for Dewey's 24-Hour Readaton October 2021.
Read for Dewey's 24-Hour Readaton October 2021.
September 3, 2021
Nice illustrations with a positive message.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2021
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.
I absolutely loved the illustrations in this children's book. They are beautiful! I love the idea of transitioning from color to black and white, then back again based on choices, and encouraging young readers that their choices can have an important impact on the world. However, I felt that the story was a bit lacking and could have had more about what went wrong, why it went wrong, and how what the little boy did helped the community. I realize it's a children's book and meant to be simple, but I thought the story could have benefited from a few extra pages or sentences to really give more meaning to it.
I absolutely loved the illustrations in this children's book. They are beautiful! I love the idea of transitioning from color to black and white, then back again based on choices, and encouraging young readers that their choices can have an important impact on the world. However, I felt that the story was a bit lacking and could have had more about what went wrong, why it went wrong, and how what the little boy did helped the community. I realize it's a children's book and meant to be simple, but I thought the story could have benefited from a few extra pages or sentences to really give more meaning to it.
October 6, 2021
It all begins on a busy, diverse city street, when a young boy and his friend begin to notice that the colors and sounds of everyday life are beginning to fade.
No one else seems to notice the colors fading and the sounds dimming until one night there was a wild, violent storm. The next day, almost all the color is gone and there is a deep rift separating one side of the street from the other, thus separating the boy from his friend.
At first, people question what happened, but soon they just begin to accept it and get one with their now colorless lives. Time goes by - a week, a month, a year. But the young boy can't forget his friend and at night, he dreams of how colorful it used to be on his street - "...rust redbrick roads bathed in ripe, orange mornings. Lemon Popsicle yellow melting, sticky sweet. Freshly cut green against bluebird skies. And a sea of stars sprinkled on velvet purple nights." Then one night, there are no more dreams, the young boy has forgotten the colors.
There is only one thing left for him to do -
But, can one young boy make a difference and do what no one else has tried to do - bring his friends and neighbors together again to work as a team and bring back the colors? You bet he can and does. How does he do it, you might ask. Well, just read the book to discover the answer and maybe find a little inspiration to change something you think needs to be done.
Between the Lines is a concept book that can be read in so many different ways for so many different age groups. Whether you see it as a metaphor for COVID-19 or for climate change or even for the divisiveness of the country right now, or if you just see it as a book about bringing people together, one thing stands firm - it just takes one person, even a child, to bring about change and to make a difference.
I wasn't sure about the aging for this book, the idea seemed a little to old for 4-and 5-year-olds to really grasp. So I decided to read it to my young readers (average age 4, and English isn't their first language). I read it once, and then we talked about it, then read it again. They liked it, and it understood it at its most basic level. I think slightly older kids will pick up the nuances more than younger readers and making this a book they can grow with.
As with all of Lindsay Ward's books, the digitally created artwork for this one is wonderful, ranging from bright, springlike pastels to images that resemble white chalk on a blackboard and back to colorful again. The street is full of friendly diverse children and adults, happily involved in different activities that are then captured in all their confusion, isolation, and sadness when their street is divided and color is lost.
Between the Lines is definitely a book to be shared and talked about.
This book was gratefully received from Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media
No one else seems to notice the colors fading and the sounds dimming until one night there was a wild, violent storm. The next day, almost all the color is gone and there is a deep rift separating one side of the street from the other, thus separating the boy from his friend.
At first, people question what happened, but soon they just begin to accept it and get one with their now colorless lives. Time goes by - a week, a month, a year. But the young boy can't forget his friend and at night, he dreams of how colorful it used to be on his street - "...rust redbrick roads bathed in ripe, orange mornings. Lemon Popsicle yellow melting, sticky sweet. Freshly cut green against bluebird skies. And a sea of stars sprinkled on velvet purple nights." Then one night, there are no more dreams, the young boy has forgotten the colors.
There is only one thing left for him to do -
But, can one young boy make a difference and do what no one else has tried to do - bring his friends and neighbors together again to work as a team and bring back the colors? You bet he can and does. How does he do it, you might ask. Well, just read the book to discover the answer and maybe find a little inspiration to change something you think needs to be done.
Between the Lines is a concept book that can be read in so many different ways for so many different age groups. Whether you see it as a metaphor for COVID-19 or for climate change or even for the divisiveness of the country right now, or if you just see it as a book about bringing people together, one thing stands firm - it just takes one person, even a child, to bring about change and to make a difference.
I wasn't sure about the aging for this book, the idea seemed a little to old for 4-and 5-year-olds to really grasp. So I decided to read it to my young readers (average age 4, and English isn't their first language). I read it once, and then we talked about it, then read it again. They liked it, and it understood it at its most basic level. I think slightly older kids will pick up the nuances more than younger readers and making this a book they can grow with.
As with all of Lindsay Ward's books, the digitally created artwork for this one is wonderful, ranging from bright, springlike pastels to images that resemble white chalk on a blackboard and back to colorful again. The street is full of friendly diverse children and adults, happily involved in different activities that are then captured in all their confusion, isolation, and sadness when their street is divided and color is lost.
Between the Lines is definitely a book to be shared and talked about.
This book was gratefully received from Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media
October 6, 2021
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Between the Lines by Lindsay Ward, a story about the importance of community.
In a vibrant, diverse city neighborhood, the young boy who serves as narrator remembers when the colors were swept away from their street. They began fading slowly; then, after a violent storm one night, the neighborhood awoke the next morning to find that all the color had washed away entirely, and a great rift in the street had divided it right through the center. Time passes, and the colors never return. The boys dreams of them, but they begin to fade even from his memories and dreams. Finally, the boy decides something must be done – and if no one else will do it, he’ll just have to do it himself.
Slightly vague but still beautiful. The metaphors that the absent colors represent may be a little dense for younger readers; it took me some pondering to arrive at what I think the fading/reappearing colors and the rift were supposed to represent, and I’m still not 100% sure. However, the greater themes of togetherness and teamwork are more readily understood, and still create a stirring story about how initiative and working together can heal problems within communities. The artwork shines, using the literal lack of color to great effect; for instance, a spread where the boy dreams of color after he (and the reader) have been deprived of it for so long is a powerful jolt. The length is great for a storytime, and JJ loved the intricate art and creative layouts, as well as the story’s message. This one is definitely worth the read; it may require a little consideration afterwards, but it’s a subject worth considering. Overall, Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
September 7, 2021
Perfect for reading to granddaughters (grandchildren) in person or via video chat! 📹
I bought this book to share long distance with my granddaughters. The reviews were good and I agree, the artwork is awesome how it follows the narrative. The narrative is amazingly wonderful and built to grow with the child. A story that at a young age let's the parents focus on colors and shapes, and as the child matures on love, friends and inclusion. So well done.
My biggest issue was reading it on my Kindle Fire 7 9th Edition (2019). When I opened it the image was small and double tapping in the center as instructed didn't enlarge the image. It made reading the text impossible. I went to the Aa menu offered and found only the ability to adjust the "Turn Pages with Volume Controls", "About This Book" and brightness controls under the heading "more".
In order to read the book on my Kindle Fire 7 9th Edition (2019) I turned off my lock which kept my screen`s orientation in portrait and set my screen to landscape and locked it. For the 1 or 2 pages in portrait in the story it's easy enough to just turn the whole Kindle to read them.
I also read the book 📖 on my Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8" 2019 using the latest version of the Kindle app. When I opened the book I again was told the same reading instructions. Again, double tapping didn't enlarge the image, but it did give me access to the Aa menu. This time I was presented with not only the "more" menu, but the "Layout" menu which allowed me to easily set the screen to landscape and then lock the screen again so reading the book in full-screen was easily done.
I hope this review helps others. Outside of the technical issues, I found this book to be a great resource for reading to my two granddaughters, ages 5 and 3 years old. I video conference with them, since we live in separate states, so a story with both a great narrative and amazing art is required. Five thumbs up from this grandmother!
I bought this book to share long distance with my granddaughters. The reviews were good and I agree, the artwork is awesome how it follows the narrative. The narrative is amazingly wonderful and built to grow with the child. A story that at a young age let's the parents focus on colors and shapes, and as the child matures on love, friends and inclusion. So well done.
My biggest issue was reading it on my Kindle Fire 7 9th Edition (2019). When I opened it the image was small and double tapping in the center as instructed didn't enlarge the image. It made reading the text impossible. I went to the Aa menu offered and found only the ability to adjust the "Turn Pages with Volume Controls", "About This Book" and brightness controls under the heading "more".
In order to read the book on my Kindle Fire 7 9th Edition (2019) I turned off my lock which kept my screen`s orientation in portrait and set my screen to landscape and locked it. For the 1 or 2 pages in portrait in the story it's easy enough to just turn the whole Kindle to read them.
I also read the book 📖 on my Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8" 2019 using the latest version of the Kindle app. When I opened the book I again was told the same reading instructions. Again, double tapping didn't enlarge the image, but it did give me access to the Aa menu. This time I was presented with not only the "more" menu, but the "Layout" menu which allowed me to easily set the screen to landscape and then lock the screen again so reading the book in full-screen was easily done.
I hope this review helps others. Outside of the technical issues, I found this book to be a great resource for reading to my two granddaughters, ages 5 and 3 years old. I video conference with them, since we live in separate states, so a story with both a great narrative and amazing art is required. Five thumbs up from this grandmother!
September 29, 2021
This book is truly a wonder. Beginning with the cover, then the end pages and then the story itself, I was completely enthralled. I’m a huge fan of color and this book is all about color, but it’s also about a diverse neighborhood full of people who played together, chatted together and simply enjoyed each other, until life slowly began to change. Everyone was so busy and so caught up in their own lives, they began to forget about their neighbors. No more waving hello, no more meeting for ice cream, no more playing in the park together. Unfortunately though, no one seemed to notice how the neighborhood was slowly fading away and becoming divided except for one young boy. Every night he dreamed about the disappearing colors and the sadness in the streets, until one night he didn’t. That’s the morning he awakened determined to be the one who brought back the color and repaired the division between his neighbors. Soon, his enthusiasm and hard work motivated others to pitch in, to help bring back the color and to repair the divide so that once again “laughter and love spilled out… filling the space between the lines”
This story warmed my heart. First, I loved seeing the everyday joy and diversity in this city neighborhood. There are no divisions between neighbors, no concerns about differences; they simply enjoy each other. Then, once the joy disappeared, I loved the little boy’s determination to bring it back.
This is a book to read and discuss with your children, ages 4+. It’s one that will prompt many different thoughts and questions each time it’s shared. It’s out today!
This story warmed my heart. First, I loved seeing the everyday joy and diversity in this city neighborhood. There are no divisions between neighbors, no concerns about differences; they simply enjoy each other. Then, once the joy disappeared, I loved the little boy’s determination to bring it back.
This is a book to read and discuss with your children, ages 4+. It’s one that will prompt many different thoughts and questions each time it’s shared. It’s out today!
October 1, 2021
A young boy begins to notice the color, the joy, leaving his community. It’s subtle and the adults don’t seem to notice.
Then a thunderstorm comes and takes away the last hint of color, leaving the community hurt, angry, and distanced from each other.
“…rust redbrick roads bathed in ripe, orange mornings.
Lemon Popsicle yellow melting, sticky and sweet.
Freshly cut green against bluebird skies.
And a sea of stars sprinkled on velvet purple nights.”
Even though the concept of the story may be difficult for the younger readers to understand, they will notice how the illustrations go from vibrant colors to black and white and grayscale. They will notice the people on the pages go from happy to sad and stand away from each other. They will feel the sadness on the pages.
The young boy misses the colors of his community and the smiles and laughter on the streets and sidewalks. When he no longer dreams in color, he takes it upon himself to sweep away the darkness and replace it with joy. Soon others come out to join him and then…the rains returned and there was laughter again.
Lindsay Ward is a prolific children’s author and illustrator that knows how to make children laugh. She often shares stories of friendship, helping others, and inclusion. Her newest story uses poetic prose about a difficult topic to remind all of us that hiding away from others isn’t the way to live. Step out into your community, smile and greet others, help keep your neighborhood looking beautiful, and most of all be kind to each other. Thanks to Ward for the nudge we all need right now.
Then a thunderstorm comes and takes away the last hint of color, leaving the community hurt, angry, and distanced from each other.
“…rust redbrick roads bathed in ripe, orange mornings.
Lemon Popsicle yellow melting, sticky and sweet.
Freshly cut green against bluebird skies.
And a sea of stars sprinkled on velvet purple nights.”
Even though the concept of the story may be difficult for the younger readers to understand, they will notice how the illustrations go from vibrant colors to black and white and grayscale. They will notice the people on the pages go from happy to sad and stand away from each other. They will feel the sadness on the pages.
The young boy misses the colors of his community and the smiles and laughter on the streets and sidewalks. When he no longer dreams in color, he takes it upon himself to sweep away the darkness and replace it with joy. Soon others come out to join him and then…the rains returned and there was laughter again.
Lindsay Ward is a prolific children’s author and illustrator that knows how to make children laugh. She often shares stories of friendship, helping others, and inclusion. Her newest story uses poetic prose about a difficult topic to remind all of us that hiding away from others isn’t the way to live. Step out into your community, smile and greet others, help keep your neighborhood looking beautiful, and most of all be kind to each other. Thanks to Ward for the nudge we all need right now.
November 28, 2021
The narrator, a young boy, realizes that the colors are fading from his vibrant neighborhood as the residents start avoiding one another and isolating themselves in small, familiar pockets. Worried that the colors he loved so much are gone forever, even from his dreams, the boy decides to take action and begins cleaning up the debris on the streets, trying to heal what's broken. Slowly, other residents join him, bringing color back to the area. The digital artwork features full-color pages before the storm arrives and somehow fractures connections among the residents, leaving behind a community that is divided and pages that are filled with grayscale drawings, providing stark evidence of how bleak the world is without those rich colors. After the residents band together and weather yet another storm, the colors return to the area. This picture book serves as a colorful (and colorless) reminder that one individual can make a difference and that we have a lot more in common that we think we do. If we all pull together, we can accomplish great things. For some reason, the book made me think about how divided our nation seems to be when it comes to certain issues and approaches to problems. It could serve as an example to individuals on both sides of the political fence.
September 2, 2021
i got this as a my "kindle first" for September. what an amazing read. i wonder if they will make it a coloring book. gorgeous illustrations. i understand the point immediately. 43 yrs young. i know when i was a young kid my Mom would read to me ... so i truly want and wish for little ones to find great reads as well ... thank you Reading Rainbow "LeVar Burton" for making my life about reading. it was always so exciting to see what book he or all the little ones on the show would tell you about. kids of all sorts, style, coming together to celebrate, READING!! reading is great. and i hope more kids will enjoy that hobby as well. racism ... i knew the point. when you close your heart you miss so much. open your heart, mind and learning to grow and understand. listen. see every one ... use you ears and listen ... be open.
I think having a hand held book instead of a kindle (so you can enjoy the illustrations up and close and personal. what fun!!) like i did read it on ... would be so much more exciting and great for your little one. a great gift. giftable.
I think having a hand held book instead of a kindle (so you can enjoy the illustrations up and close and personal. what fun!!) like i did read it on ... would be so much more exciting and great for your little one. a great gift. giftable.
October 23, 2022
“I was just a boy when the colors were swept from out street.”
After a storm, a neighborhood loses all its colors. There is nothing but “empty sadness.” For over a year, nothing changed and most people got used to the lack of color. Even the young boy who dreams of color every night, finally starts to forget the colors. Finally, the boy decides to take action in hopes that it will bring back the colors to the neighborhood. Others soon joined in. “We were finally working together when suddenly the rains returned.” As they wait out the storm together, something wonderful happens … “Together we had survived the storm.” and the color returns.
A lot can be read into and debated as to what the symbolism of this book is. Does the “storm” refer to Covid? Or is it more a neighborhood shutting its doors to each other due to problem within the community? The message remains the same … it takes people working together to make important changes to the world.
After a storm, a neighborhood loses all its colors. There is nothing but “empty sadness.” For over a year, nothing changed and most people got used to the lack of color. Even the young boy who dreams of color every night, finally starts to forget the colors. Finally, the boy decides to take action in hopes that it will bring back the colors to the neighborhood. Others soon joined in. “We were finally working together when suddenly the rains returned.” As they wait out the storm together, something wonderful happens … “Together we had survived the storm.” and the color returns.
A lot can be read into and debated as to what the symbolism of this book is. Does the “storm” refer to Covid? Or is it more a neighborhood shutting its doors to each other due to problem within the community? The message remains the same … it takes people working together to make important changes to the world.
July 6, 2022
From the publisher: A vibrant artwork that shifts from full-color to black-and-white/grayscale. A young boy notices that his neighbors have stopped interacting, and the colors around them are slowly fading. A thunderstorm sweeps away the last hints of color. He dreams of the way life was and sets about to change things.
Very creative and thought-provoking book for young school age children to talk about community and being agents of change. The shift of color and black and white illustration works. The book also has a few vertical pages which is fun to look at - changing up the perspective of the book - and wordless pages which promotes narrative skills. So much to discuss with the artwork of this book from the use of color vs. black and white illutrations to vertical and horizontal pages to the themes of community and action.
Very creative and thought-provoking book for young school age children to talk about community and being agents of change. The shift of color and black and white illustration works. The book also has a few vertical pages which is fun to look at - changing up the perspective of the book - and wordless pages which promotes narrative skills. So much to discuss with the artwork of this book from the use of color vs. black and white illutrations to vertical and horizontal pages to the themes of community and action.
December 2, 2021
This is a book that requires multiple readings before making any judgment. My daughter and I read it and she was delighted to follow along, mostly interested in discovering when the colors would return. My initial reaction was that it was a nice book overall. But when I took the time to read it to myself and really take time with it, I understood the metaphor of the story. The distance that has been created between neighbors and friends over the past couple of years has drained the color from our world in a way that feels impossible to fix. The "lines" have been drawn between people of different groups, ideologies, races, and so on. This book feels like a balm to that pain and offers hope that one day we'll feel joy together again.
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May 23, 2022 If children can go to school, why not animals to learn? That is the dilemma facing turkey and his friends. They are not allowed on the school bus, but they are soon making plans to be part of the school.
Turkey tries to disguise himself as ball, cafeteria worker, book and backpack, but nothing works. They are frustrated totally until the theme of “Farms Days, will be used during the first week of school. This means that finally the animals can be part of the learning activities.
The illustrations are lots of fun, and the expressions on the faces of the animals will bring smiles to faces. It shows how learning can be a truly remarkable experience, and that everyone can benefit from going to school.
Turkey tries to disguise himself as ball, cafeteria worker, book and backpack, but nothing works. They are frustrated totally until the theme of “Farms Days, will be used during the first week of school. This means that finally the animals can be part of the learning activities.
The illustrations are lots of fun, and the expressions on the faces of the animals will bring smiles to faces. It shows how learning can be a truly remarkable experience, and that everyone can benefit from going to school.
April 9, 2023
"Read between the lines".
"The sounds became quieter.Eveyone was too busy to notice we were fading."Lines from the book that I found most significant.A town begins to lose all it's colours and finally turns black and white.No one seems to notice the gradual change except a young boy.Barriers are formed and finally the boy decides it is height time he changes things.The book has a lot of inner meaning. I think the intended message is that people tend to drift away from each other creating walls between them and how that sucks out the very life and happiness from their existence.A well thought concept expressed in a beautiful way.I wish the idea could have been conveyed with more clarity.Good read.
Recommended age group: 6 years and above
Rating: 4/5
"The sounds became quieter.Eveyone was too busy to notice we were fading."Lines from the book that I found most significant.A town begins to lose all it's colours and finally turns black and white.No one seems to notice the gradual change except a young boy.Barriers are formed and finally the boy decides it is height time he changes things.The book has a lot of inner meaning. I think the intended message is that people tend to drift away from each other creating walls between them and how that sucks out the very life and happiness from their existence.A well thought concept expressed in a beautiful way.I wish the idea could have been conveyed with more clarity.Good read.
Recommended age group: 6 years and above
Rating: 4/5
September 28, 2021
The stunning illustrations in this lovely book use color in brilliant ways. Revolving around a young boys efforts to revitalize his neighborhood, the color seeps out of the illustrations after a devastating storm. As weeks go by the boy and his friend wait for the community to recover. But when a lot of time goes by and the playground and road remain broken the boy takes matters into his own hands and sets out to repair the damage. The digital illustrations combine black and white line drawings with stunning full color spreads to highlight the changes in this neighborhood. With several book turn (you have to turn the book to see them properly) pages the book offers much to talk about and admire as well as a powerful message about one person making a difference. Highly recommended.
March 19, 2022
The illustrations are lovely and highly detailed. They may tell the story beyond the actual text. The young boy who narrates loves his community and struggles to understand what happened to create barriers and leach the color from their town. He maintains hope and continues to seek ways to bring it back following a mysterious rainstorm. Finally, another rainstorm brings the color back after neighbors begin to repair the trench in the road. I love the symbolism of the broken road representing divisions between people but wonder if younger readers will understand.
It could be a family read to open discussion on conflicts faced in our world.
It could be a family read to open discussion on conflicts faced in our world.
September 6, 2021
Excellent Book for the 2020s
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2021
With everything going on from 2020 onward children will sense trouble and that's where this book comes in. It shows a neighborhood torn asunder and then brought back together by the main character. It will help kids understand some of the rifts and gives them clues on repairing them without specifically mentioning current events. This can give children a feeling of power and really improve things when they feel powerless.
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2021
With everything going on from 2020 onward children will sense trouble and that's where this book comes in. It shows a neighborhood torn asunder and then brought back together by the main character. It will help kids understand some of the rifts and gives them clues on repairing them without specifically mentioning current events. This can give children a feeling of power and really improve things when they feel powerless.
September 12, 2021
Beautiful illustrations! 4.5*
A beautiful book that tells the story of a street that lost the colour and life in the street which by working together and by being strong grew back and were stronger than ever! The symbolism in this book can be seen in so many different things it is easily transferable to so many situations that are tearing society apart at the moment. Well written. The formatting changes from landscape to portrait in a few places makes it harder to read due to the multiple turns of the iPad but still a fun book.
A beautiful book that tells the story of a street that lost the colour and life in the street which by working together and by being strong grew back and were stronger than ever! The symbolism in this book can be seen in so many different things it is easily transferable to so many situations that are tearing society apart at the moment. Well written. The formatting changes from landscape to portrait in a few places makes it harder to read due to the multiple turns of the iPad but still a fun book.
October 16, 2021
Like many, I had to reread this book multiple times to get even a glimmer of what the author was thinking about that caused the colors to vanish. Was the event some instance that happened in the community that split the neighbors and caused it to be destroyed? I get that everyone working together and caring again brought back the colors.
The artwork is amazing, but it is not something kids would really understand or ultimately care about. It is something that would require a lot of discussion on the part of the adult to have with the child to even begin to understand what happened.
The artwork is amazing, but it is not something kids would really understand or ultimately care about. It is something that would require a lot of discussion on the part of the adult to have with the child to even begin to understand what happened.
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