Pink in Not a Color written and illustrated by Lindsay Ward

 

Pink is Not a Color

written and illustrated by Lindsay Ward

Two Lions, 2022, 40 pages

When my Kiddo was a little girl, there were two truisms in her life: 1) there was never enough glitter, and 2) there was never enough pink. Pink is probably the favorite color of most little girls at some point. After all, Pink is a happy color and the world is a rosier place thanks to it. 

So when Pink ran into the Primaries Red, Blue, and Yellow getting ready to have a Rainbow Extravaganza, Pink was excited to help. 

The Primary colors were all going to be at the Rainbow Extravaganza, as were the Secondary colors, Orange, Green, and Purple, and there would be balloons, streamers, and a great big rainbow colored banner. It was going to be an awesome party, with all the colors of the rainbow there, and Pink was so up for it...until the Rainbow Colors reminded her that Pink is not a color in the rainbow. 

And even though they encouraged Pink to come to the party anyway, Pink's excitement was more than a little deflated. Pink leaves the Rainbow Extravaganza thinking about how super popular she is and all the things that are pink - bubble gum, cupcakes with sprinkles, tutus, bunny slippers. Everyone loves pink, so why isn't she in the rainbow? And if she isn't, is she even a color,? And if she isn't a color,  just what she is?

The next day, still feeling low and confused, Pink runs into the Brown, who is a Shade and the Tints - Corel, Mint, Buttercup, Lavender and Sky - who invite her to color with them. Feeling validated that she is a color after all, Brown explains the difference between a Shade, like himself, and a Tint, like Pink. But is a Tint a real color, she wonders? 

Leaving Brown and the Tints behind, Pink encounters Gray and tells him about her midcolor crisis. Gray says that in his book, Pink is definitely a color in his book. But is an appearance in This Book is Gray enough to convince Pink that she is a color even if she isn't in the rainbow? Leave it to Gray to show Pink all the different ways in which she colors the world, including mornings and evenings. 

Some of Lindsay Ward's books are truly adventures in color. There's This Book is Gray, followed by Between the Lines, and now there is Pink is not a Color. Each book has something to teach kids about colors and this one answers the question: what is a color? It begins with a Color Glossary right there on the front end page. And while kids are learning the difference between Primary Colors and how Secondary Colors, Shades, Tints Achromatic Colors are created, there is also an important message about self-doubt.

Pink was pretty happy and self confident until the other colors preparing for the Rainbow Extravaganza said she wasn't a color in the rainbow. They were certainly happy to have her join in the festivities, but Pink immediately sunk into a midcolor crisis, as though not being in the rainbow made her not a color - so what is she? Self-doubt is something that can happen so easily to kids, and often, as it happens with Pink, it is the result of a something that wasn't even said to be mean.  Hopefully, adults reading this to children will realize what hurtful words can do to a child's self-esteem, so thy can help kids if they find themselves in a situation like Pink's. And children hearing this story will hopefully be able to see that they are just as important and have things to offer, just like Pink. 

I loved the digitally created illustrations and the bright, colorful palette used throughout. These different colors used add so much to the color characters, and no one color overpowers Pink, since it is her story. One of other things I like is that the colors are represented by that little triangle at the end of every crayon.  

Pink is Not a Color will be a wonderful and important book to share with young kids, either in school or at home and should generate lots of good conversations afterwards. I know I can't wait to share it with my young readers when we get back together again. 

What's being said about Pink is Not a Color?

“Ward’s cast of colors, pink-cheeked and wearing accessories, speak in color-coded speech bubbles; appropriately, pink hues dominate the exuberant art. A rosy take on selfhood.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Meet the Author: Lindsay Ward is the creator of the Dexter T. Rexter series as well as Between the Lines, Scooper and Dumper, Rosie: Stronger than Steel, This Book Is Gray, Brobarians, Rosco vs. the Baby, and The Importance of Being 3. Her book Please Bring Balloons was also made into a play. Lindsay lives with her family in Peninsula, Ohio with her husband, three boys, one dog, and eight ducks. When she’s not drawing, Lindsay loves to bake. Pink-frosted cupcakes are her favorite. Learn more about her online at www.lindsaymward.com.

Twitter: @lindsaymward

Instagram: lindsaymward

Check out activities and more here on Lindsay Ward’s website!