13. Lemons are not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Bibliographic Citation:

Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. Lemons Are Not Red. Brookfield, Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press, 2004. 32p. ISBN 1-59643-008-7 

Awards/Selection Lists:

Starred Reviews: Kirkus, School Library Journal

ALA Notable Book, 2005

Child Magazine Best Book of the Year

Kirkus Editor's Choice

Format Examined:

Hard cover

Annotation:

Colorful paintings with shaped cut-out windows represent the color that the shaped item is not, and what color it truly is when the page is turned.

Personal Reaction:

Each page of this book reveals a familiar object with an incorrect color showing through the object's cut-out shaped window. When the reader turns the page, the object's correct color is shown. The first object used is a lemon-- which is not red, but yellow, which is revealed when the page is turned. New objects then appear on the following pages, with new cut-out windows and colors behind each of them. This concept book provides a humorous and fun way to match  objects with their colors.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Colors, shapes, humor

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 

Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 

The humorous mismatching colors and shapes invite children to actively participate in this book. The simplicity of the book also lends itself to children retelling the story on their own.

Phonological Awareness: 

Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:

Print awareness is addressed by this book through large, black lettering, which is printed on each page, along with color names in bold uppercase letters. 

Print Motivation: 

The format with cut out windows and colorful artwork along with the humor used in providing "incorrect information" that children are able to correct makes this a book that children will want to read on their own.

Vocabulary:

The objects that are provided through illustrations are mismatched and then matched with correct colors to help teach color concept words. Colors are identified through the illustrations and by the use of large, bold, black letters. 

Author/ Illustrator Website:

http://www.studiolvs.com/website_root/StudioLVS_Home/Home.html