What Color Is Love

by Joan Walsh Anglund

The world has many things ... the world has many people ... the world has many colours ... and each of them is different. Colour is all about us, something we see with our eyes - but how can we discover the colour of love?

Joan Walsh Anglund answers this question in her own characteristic way, illustrating her quietly stated text with delicate pictures in full colour and line.

Here is another small book by Joan Walsh Anglund to delight the many admirers, young and old, of her earlier titles, now established as firm favourites.

Genres: Love, Childrens, Picture Books, Comics, Inspirational

28 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Joan Walsh Anglund was an American poet and children's book author and illustrator, with more than 120 books that have sold over 50 million copies around the world in 17 languages.

Reviews

[Kathryn]

I absolutely love Joan Walsh Anglund's illustrations! When I see them, I feel warm and happy and thoughtful--it's like being a kid all wrapped up in Mom's hug. Indeed, we had some of Anglund's books when I was a kid and now I am trying to build up my own collections. Although the text might be considered a bit didactic or precious by some, I think it's sweet though it's the illustrations that really draw me in.

[Callie Anna]

It's almost too little to think of reading it, but so worth it. Every bit as adorable and meaningful as you could imagine!

[Jon Nakapalau]

Took me back to a much simpler time - wonderful reflection on life.

[Carla]

This is a tiny little book, so small that it almost feels like cheating to list it on my "read in 2008" list. But I spotted it on a bookshelf in a friend's house tonight, and picked it up while I was cooking dinner. It's every bit as precious as the title suggests. So for its quality, not necessarily quantity, I'm counting it as a read.

[Jfmom]

This was my favorite book as a young child.

[Betsy]

I love this delightful little book. I always enjoy Joan Walsh Anglund’s illustrations. It has a simple message about colors and Love. It was a gift for my 16th bday from my Aunt, so it’s very special to me.

[Charyce]

If you can get your hands on this out-of-print book you will delight in it's sweet illustration and simple message. Another darling book my grandmother gave me in the 70's. I just LOVE the vintage style illustrations found in books like this one!

[Kat]

Short, and heartwarming.

[Lila]

LOVE!

[Karen]

This is just a wonderful little book! I cherish it even more as my husband gave it to me before we were married.

[Daniella]

I can honestly say this is the sweetest book I have ever read. The illustrations are beautiful and the story wonderful.
Loved it!

[Bmquiram]

Great children's book. Several possible conversations can be had based on the story.

Simple easy to read text.
Cute pictures.

[Gerry]

In the blurb on the flap of the dust wrapper it is explained that the world has many colours. This is followed up by the author in the text in which she uses objects as examples, such as an apple, the sun, the sky, a leaf and a cloud. She then points out that each of them is different as are the colours of objects in a garden, in a forest, in a meadow and as are the people of the world. There may be similarities and shades but each of the colours is visible and each is important and, as the author points out, they 'make the world beautiful'.

The objects, as Joan Walsh Anglud makes clear, are what she calls 'outside' things so it is easy to identify with them and recognise them. However the title of the book poses an entirely different question, 'What Colour Is Love?' That is not an easy question to answer because there is nothing tangible to see so everybody can, perhaps, make up there own mind and for whatever reason attribute a colour to that feeling, which she describes as an 'inside thing'.

All very understandable indeed and it is everybody's choice to make a decision as to what colour they attribute to the feeling of love ... of course the author does not offer any suggestions but leaves it up to each individual.

Perhaps my own favourite colour to be seen is tangerine, based on the colour of my town's football shirts, being in 1924 the first Football League club to adopt such a colour. But I would not apply that colour to my idea of what colour love is ... perhaps to save embarrassment I will keep what colour that would be, and the reason for it, to myself!

Meanwhile the book and the illustrations are absolutely charming.

[Kammera]

Nothing overt but a sweet message for little ones. And that is to embrace our differences and love one another.

[Unholy Meat Obelisk]

La estética es tan peculiar. Me recuerda a los monitos que ponía mi mamá en los adornos y tarjetas de cumpleaños.

[Ratpilled Cheesemaxxer]

Cheesy bullshit

[Stephanie]

An adorable book with beautiful illustrations and it actually has a much more deeper meaning to it than you may think.