Review by mary-annef -- What's Your Favorite Color?

mary-annef · Post by **mary-annef** » 15 Apr 2020, 08:15

[Following is a volunteer review of "What's Your Favorite Color?" by Amber L Lassiter.]

4 out of 4 stars

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What's Your Favorite Color by Amber Lassiter tells the story of a little girl, also called Amber, who is tasked with using her favorite color in an artwork at school. The children are instructed to keep their color secret. However, Amber has left her paints at home and has to borrow paint from her classmates. Each time she asks for a color from someone, they assume it's her favorite color and that they know her secret. How the children engage, and the actions and emotions the interactions spark in Amber form the basis of educational questions for children reading the book.

Lassiter has written a wonderful story with lots of opportunities for learning. Her open-ended questions will get children identifying the alphabetized pattern of a list, talking about colors, observing body language, and articulating emotions. The book itself is beautifully presented with informative graphics illustrating the text, and colorful pages and writing. The graphics depict children of mixed race and gender, but the wording does not draw attention to these topics.

Apart from the more traditional teachings, I think What's Your Favorite Color would be an excellent tool for introducing children to empathy practice. I tested Theresa Wiseman's four attributes of empathy (to see the world as others see it, to be non-judgmental, to understand another's feelings and to be able to articulate those feelings) against the text and the questions Lassiter poses. There was a perfect fit.

I loved this book, but there were two glaring errors that I would like to see corrected in future publications – both instances of disconnect between the text and associated graphics. The text refers to portraits of the children hung on the classroom wall, but the accompanying picture shows landscapes, still life and general paintings i.e., not portraits. The text also states the easels were placed back to back. Yet, the picture of the classroom shows them arranged in front of each other. Another small thing that jarred a little was when Lassiter describes one of the children as giving a "cocky wink." Apart from it being a slang expression, cocky implies arrogance and conceit. Even "wink" has a slightly lecherous connotation. I think the phrase is an adult concept that is inappropriate for a children's book.

I'm rating What's Your Favorite Color 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to parents and teachers wanting to introduce the topic of emotions to young children.

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What's Your Favorite Color?
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JKO · Post by **JKO** » 23 Apr 2020, 13:34

A good way to introduce the topic of emotions to children. I think this is one book that every parent should have on their child's shelf. Great review.

FABIAN_BATS · Post by **FABIAN_BATS** » 24 Apr 2020, 05:12

The book seems interesting for children. A book that teaches empathy is very helpful for children. Great review, the errors were pointed out constructively and I hope they are looked into.

Rodel Barnachea · Post by **Rodel Barnachea** » 30 Jul 2020, 19:38

Like most children's books I have read, this one teaches important lessons to children. I agree with you that since the targeted audience are young readers, we must preserve their innocence and eliminate elements that can be suggestive or at least, connotatively.