행복한 색깔 도둑

by Gabriel Alborozo, 김혜진 (Translator)

Happy Color ThiefThe story of the alien Moa who finds all the colors of the worldMoa lives in an achromatic world without color. So Moa and her friends were always depressed. Then one day Moa saw a star, a globe shining beautifully from far away. The earth was shining brilliantly in color. It was so beautiful and mysterious in Moas eyes. Moa, wondering about the beautiful star, eventually went on a long journey to find the color. Can Moa find happiness on earth?

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Adventure, Aliens, Space, Emotion

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 13, 2015

About the author

Gabriel Alborozo is an illustrator whose books include Let’s Paint!, Let’s Play, and Good Night, Firefly, among others. Before becoming an illustrator, he worked in film and animation. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Zot the alien, living on a drab, gray world, spies a vibrantly colorful planet in the distant skies, he jumps in his spaceship and pays his stellar neighbors a visit. Enchanted with the beautiful hues around him, he begins collecting them, only to discover, as he is leaving, that he has robbed this alien world of all of its beauty. When he gives the purloined colors back, he is given a lovely orange balloon in return, and is made happier than he was, even by the vast array of shades he stole. After all, a little color goes a long way...

Published in London by Bloomsbury Children's Books, author/artist Gabriel Alborozo's The Colour Thief is a sweet little morality tale, dressed up as picture-book science fiction. Not only does Zot discover that a little can go a long way, he also learns that a gift given freely produces far more happiness in the recipient, than a wealth of stolen goods. The artwork here is quite appealing, and Alborozo ably contrasts Zot's colorless world with the gorgeous shades of our own. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about aliens, colors, honesty and/or friendship.

[Albie Seymour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was beautifully sad and happy all at the same time.

[Leilah Skelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Colour Thief combines beautiful illustrations in engaging spreads with a quietly effectual message about greed, the nature of happiness, consideration of others, and the power of small acts of kindness. In short, it is a wonderful, thought-provoking picture book.

As the story progresses, there is a subtle shift as Zot absorbs the colours that he takes. He becomes more colourful, and the world becomes a greyer place. In the end we learn that a small personal sacrifice can be a gift of happiness, and happiness can spread a long, long way.

I consider the mark of a good picture book to be this: If the words were not printed, would the pictures ‘tell’ the same story? In this case, absolutely yes, they would. In fact, they say all the words and more… This isn’t your average picture book. This is a showcase of a vibrant new talent, and it is out of this world!

[Erin Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text was a lovely short read. The main character Zog ad his friend on their planet are bored of how dull and grey it is, it makes them miserable. So he travels to another planet to discover how incredible colour is. He tries to take every colour possible until he sees how his actions has affected others so returned them and they come to a slight compromise. An easy read book covering the topic of greed and compromising.

Great illustrations throughout, captivating!!!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really helps a person appreciate color. It's also about caring and sharing. Very nice. Cute illustrations.

[Gabrielle Sandford-Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A little colour can go go a long, long way"
This gorgeous story depicts the themes of envy, selfishness as well as sadness and isolation. Zot lives in a planet without colour and travels to Earth in search for colour. He attempts to steal the happiness of colour for himself and his planet but soon realises the consequences...

This is such a lovely story by Alborozo, with strong moral ties within the text. Fantastic for a discussion about kindness and selflessness, in keeping with school rules and its ethos.

[Nola Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about an alien called Zot who lives on a grey world where everyone is sad. As he looks up into the night sky, he sees a distant planet with lots of colours and decides to go there. Although he loves the brightly painted earth, he misses his friends and decides to take the colours back to them so they can be happy too. Just as he's about to leave, he sees a boy with an orange balloon and decides to take one last colour. But when he sees how sad the boy is, he has to make a choice.

This is a clever book, with great illustrations and a nice message.

[Marilyn Rae]

Sweet story of an alien who is just trying to liven up other's world. recommended

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars from me. This story was a good one, but I vaguely recall reading the same idea before (although not with an alien as the main character). Great theme (caring and sharing) and lovely illustrations.

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book gave me a little chuckle. It's a super fast read, and I checked it out at the library because I liked how Zot looked.
The story is cute and treacly--Zot is curious, then greedy, then nice.

[whatbooknext · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zot's planet has no colour at all - just shades of grey. Everybody feels grey too. He longs for the colours he sees when
he gazes at another planet not too far away. This planet has blues and greens and reds and yellows, and he sets off in his spaceship for a closer look.

Once there he feels different. Happier, and more alive! He just has to have the colours for his own planet, and he begins to collect them.

A story of colour and how they can make us feel. You will also find greed, empathy and kindness.

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather bell-shaped grey alien seeks something different from he world, something to wake it from its dullness and uniformity. It is only when he spots Earth in the distance that he realises that what he needs is some colour. Yet when he travels there and ingeniously sucks it all up, he realises that what he leaves behind is something that he cannot live with.

This is a sweet little book that touches on themes of beauty and happiness but it just didn't quite have the depth that I was looking for. Yet it will, through its vibrant spreads and cuddly lead, appeal to many young readers.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Histoire présentée lors du club de lecture d'été TD des biblios. On aime l'histoire :')

Un sympathique éloge du partage, qui permet au passage d'initier les petits aux différentes couleurs et à la manière dont elles jouent sur l'humeur et illuminent notre quotidien. Le drôle de petit extraterrestre, dont la silhouette s'apparente à celle d'une soucoupe volante sur pattes, y prend vie dans des illustrations stylisées, qui allient collages, peintures et croquis à la plume, que l'on a joyeusement éclaboussés de gouttelettes colorées. [SDM]

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the consistent message which was threaded throughout this book 'a little colour can go a long way'. Some of the themes which could be explored in this book: selflessness, happiness and loneliness. The illustrations truly complement the words on the page and bring further meaning to the story.

[Alice Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the ideas from this, showing that you can’t take what others have just to make you feel happy. It was very simple and I think there could have been a deeper story about how the people felt when their colour was stolen.

I would explore this with children, creating a list of emotions and using both facial expression and body language to create them.

[Chloe Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the title to this book intriguing which made me pick it from the shelf. Zot lives on a grey planet and travels to a colourful place and ends up taking the colours. A boy is sad because the colours have gone, he gives his balloon to zot. The message of the story is that a little colour can go a long way.

[Amy Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic the grass is always greener Book. Also touching on themes of happiness and not being too greedy. This thought provoking book is beautifully illustrated with an alien planet/ characters that children love.

[Amy Brydon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely short story which touches on themes of greed, happiness and kindness. The book is extremely thought provoking and could be used to start discussions about sharing and greed. The illustrations could be used in art for painting.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely - an artistic child (and where does one find a child who doesn't have the touch of the artist in him/her) will particularly like this one.

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely message from this story - avoiding selfishness and thinking of others can lead to genuine happiness and friendship. It also explores loneliness, and the illustrations are so effective.

[Marcela Zuluaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story gives a message about consideration, shearing and the truly appreciation of what could be happiness.

[Freddie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful portrayal of the way colours shape our world, but also a heartwarming story with a lesson in kindness and sharing.

[Laura Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teaches us against selfishness, putting others needs before yours can result in kindness from others

[Emil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good lesson about not taking everything, it was a little strange, but had sweet illustrations. -Emil’s Mom

[Ranjini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zot is a little alien who lives in a world where there is no colour, only browns, blacks and greys. He longs to visit Earth in all its colourful glory. When he finally visits he's faced with all the colours he could ever wish for and takes a decision that could change his world forever.

The story will make you think, too, about what it would be like if we lived with no colour and what effect that would have on the human race.
It can also be used to explain the concept of blindness to kids.

Visually stunning with brilliant illustrations and very thought-provoking..
Gives a quietly effectual message about greed, consideration for others and the power of small acts of kindness!
A truly heartwarming story!

Age reco: 4+

[Nella · Rating 3 out of 5]

for 3+ Illustrations are superb.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Really heartwarming too! Used it for storytelling and taught the kids about "stealing" and how wrong it is.

[Noura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful take on perspective and ownership.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was just okay. It had potential in the idea of the story but it wasn't executed all that well for me. The message is cute enough and so are the drawings.