I Feel Teal

Infused with the pure pleasure of color, this debut from Rille and Sicuro (illustrator of The Moon Inside) links particular hues with particular moods, giving younger children a concrete way to talk about their feelings. Each of a dozen different spreads, outlined in black ink, is washed with a single color. A dark-haired, preschool-age girl wakes in her bedroom to the sunrise. All the objects in the room are bathed in shades of pale rose. “You’re pink,” the text begins. A page turn reveals the girl gazing thoughtfully through the water of her fish’s bowl (“You’re teal”) as everything in the room falls into teal-colored shadow. Some of the colors associated with the girl’s feelings derive from widely recognized expressions (“You’re green” shows the girl gazing with envy at a child who was faster at finding the right block), while others represent looser associations, as when nap time is associated with the color lilac. A final encouraging message about accepting feelings (“So when you feel them, let them through!”) concludes this reflective, rather than active, exploration of emotions—a good choice for a mood-quieting readaloud or a springboard for discussion. Ages 3–8. Illustrator’s agent: Andrea Morrison, Writers House. (July)