What If Your Best Friend Were Blue?

PreS-K—A boy wonders what the world would be like if people were different colors. His best friend might be blue, but he would still play soccer. If the boy were lost, a green policewoman would help him find his parents. A yellow doctor, a purple fireman, and a red teacher would continue to do their jobs despite their color. His orange babysitter would be just as much fun as ever. He concludes that "these people don't care what color you are, either....They like you just because you're YOU!" Full-color acrylic illustrations are done in a cartoon style, and the simple text makes the lesson on tolerance accessible to youngsters. This book could be used as an introduction to Emily Jenkins's The Little Bit Scary People (Hyperion, 2008), which would deepen a discussion of tolerance and identity.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN