The Colors of Us -- Karen Katz, Hardcover

A positive and affirming look at skin color, from an artist's perspective.

Seven-year-old Lena is going to paint a picture of herself. She wants to use brown paint for her skin. But when she and her mother take a walk through the neighborhood, Lena learns that brown comes in many different shades.

Through the eyes of a little girl who begins to see her familiar world in a new way, this book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect all people.

Karen Katz created The Colors of Us for her daughter, Lena, whom she and her husband adopted from Guatemala six years ago.

Author: Karen Katz
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Published: 09/15/1999
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.69lbs
Size: 10.26h x 8.32w x 0.33d
ISBN: 9780805058642
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.5
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 44662 / Colors of Us


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 07/15/1999 pg. 1134
School Library Journal 09/01/1999 pg. 191
Booklist 09/15/1999 pg. 268
Black Issues Book Review 01/01/2000 pg. 71
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/1999 pg. 43 - Recommended, Satisfactory
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2000 pg. 43 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author

Karen Katz has written and illustrated many books for children, including Can You Say Peace, My First Ramadan, Counting Kisses and Where is Baby's Belly Button. Long inspired by folk art from around the world, she was inspired to write her first book, Over the Moon, when she and her husband adopted their daughter from Guatemala, and she wanted to tell the story of welcoming Lena into their lives. Katz loves to paint and experiment with texture, color, collage and pattern. Besides an author and illustrator, she has been a costume designer, quilt maker, fabric artist and graphic designer. Katz and her family divide their time between New York City and Saugerties, New York.