Except the Color Grey - Hardcover

Arlene Alda is an award-winning photographer and writer whose photographs have appeared in Life, Vogue, and People and in numerous galleries. She is the author of twelve children’s books including her most recent, The Book of ZZZs; Morning Glory Monday, illustrated by Maryann Kovalski; and her photographs are featured in 97 Orchard Street, New York, by Linda Granfield. A native New Yorker, Arlene Alda is the proud grandmother of seven. She lives on Long Island with her husband, actor Alan Alda.

Alda’s latest picture book of photos considers colors. In the first three pages, a rhymed couplet opens the subject and sets a casual tone: “Which color is my favorite? / It’s very hard to say. I like most colors that I see, / except the color GREY.” Each double-page spread that follows spotlights a single color, featured both in the white-bordered photographs and on the surrounding page. The simple page design sets off the intriguing photos beautifully and maximizes the impact of every eye-catching spread. Although children do not appear in all the pictures, the subjects (ranging from orangutans to bicycles to bubbles) will certainly interest kids and may start interesting discussions. The book’s ending circles back to its beginning. With a comfortable, conversational text and plenty of appealing photos, this picture book will be useful to preschool teachers planning units as well as for one-on-one sharing. An open invitation for children to talk about their own favorite colors. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Carolyn Phelan