Growing Colors

McMillan has created a feast of a colors book using fruits and vegetables of every hue. Each double-page spread has a small photograph of the whole plant and a large close-up of the fruit or vegetable. The colors are announced in bold type tinted in the appropriate shade. In the selection of vegetables, McMillan moves beyond ordinary supermarket produce, showing purple beans and brown peppers. At the end of the book, there is a picture glossary of all the colors and plants used. And in a final note, McMillan discusses his plant choices, their sources and his photographic techniques (such as misting the vegetables and fruits to enhance their natural colors). Such a brilliant presentation of colors will be an eyeful for any small child; older readers (and adults) will appreciate the composition and clarity of every photo, which sets off each piece of produce like a jewel. Ages 2-4. (August)