Gray:

by Laura Dockrill, Lauren Child (Illustrator)

Poetic words, evocative art, and die-cuts throughout combine to explore a child’s moods through color—or the lack of color—and offer a reassuring message of love and acceptance.

Today I feel gray.
But that’s OK.

Some days you may feel sunshine yellow or orange-balloon bright. Other days you’re gray, or even night-sky black—like a dark scribble on a page, a storm in the clouds, or a puddle in the road. Gray is when you don’t feel like yourself, or like you don’t belong. But however you feel, there are big hugs (red) and loving lullabies (blue) waiting, and even the grayest sidewalk is a canvas for you to fill with the colors you choose. A tender narration from British spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill and subtle, spare artwork from former UK Children’s Laureate Lauren Child offer a comforting read for young children that addresses feelings of sadness and assures them that they are never alone.

Genres: Picture Books, Emotion, Mental Health, Childrens, Storytime, Family, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids can feel sad and depressed, too. This wonderfully presented book cleverly uses cutouts within its pages to illustrate a child's "gray" day, and great modelling of supportive behavior by a parent. Best of all, the book doesn't unrealistically tell the child to just think of happy things and the feelings will magically disappear, as so many kids' books on sad feelings often do.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some days when you feel down or just not yourself, or GRAY. And if you’re little, that might be hard to understand, and also a bit scary. This poetic offering presents a young child who shares “Today I am gray.” Not “sunshine yellow, or “orange balloon bright”, or “treetop green”. Instead, they are “the scribble on a page, the storm in the clouds, the puddle in the road”. In this collaborative work, poet Dockrill’s imaginative metaphors are paired with Child’s wonderfully spare yet expressive artwork, along with carefully placed dye-cuts, in a thoughtful study of what it is to feel GRAY, and also what it isn’t. Color is effectively used throughout to contrast the child’s grayness with colorful surroundings or objects. Midway through an adult enters: “Hello, little one. It’s OK to feel gray. You don’t have to be bright every day”. Gray clouds can give way to sunshine, and all those colors that are missing today are “still inside you, not gone away.” By the end of the story, gray tones are replaced by colors, as the child understands that even on those gray days, they will always be loved. This imaginative, heartfelt picture book, using an economy of words and images, does a splendid job of helping young readers understand and deal with days when they're feeling GRAY. Recommended for ages 4 to 7 by the SEPA Book Reviewers.

[Noodlenuts Kids Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite picture books , without fail, are the ones that make me (and any kids I'm reading with) laugh uproariously, or make our eyes go wide with wonder at how clever they are. I'm not a fan (as many of you know) of preachy pedantry or anything too heavy that seems more directed at adults than children.

BUT... Childhood is complex and so are children. And within a relatable, age-appropriate framework, they deserve stories that acknowledge the entirety of their experience. Books like "Gray" (2024), by the brilliant team of Laura Dockrill and Lauren Child (yes, THAT Lauren Child, creator of Charlie & Lola), which explores the nuances of childhood depression in a way that is anything but boring or upsetting, but also avoids toxic positivity.

"Grey"'s spare text conveys a sense of quiet that reflects both the subdued feeling of struggling to be positive, and the gentle uplift of beginning to feel better about things.

Most importantly, it provides reassurance that it's okay and very normal to feel gray sometimes.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely outstanding book. Very simple. Very direct. Very caring. Very understanding.

The child is young and is not feeling like he usually does. He feels off color or "gray." He is bewildered. His mother speaks kindly and understandably to him helping him understand that even though he feels off, or "grey," it doesn't mean the brightness or the other colors have gone away.

She explains that she loves him no matter how he feels.

The illustrations on this sturdy book are bold, eye-catching, colorful yet infused with lots of gray to illustrate the point of the book. There are eye grabbing (and finger stabbing) cutouts on the pages that lend interest and artistry.

I totally enjoyed and recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Eve Costarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic words, evocative art, and die-cuts throughout combine to explore a child’s moods through color—or the lack of color—and offer a reassuring message of love and acceptance.
This book literally blew my mind…so profound…so simple…so articulate! It is paired with illustrations that are colorful yet infused with lots of gray to further illustrate the main point of the book, sadness. This book simply addresses what sadness can feel like that children may not be able to express. It opens a path for children to understand that feelings are just that and do not define the whole person and above all, they are still loved and lovable even when sad. Children and adults all over the world need to hear this message. It is the gateway to being able to manage emotions in a healthy way.
The book perfectly encapsulates what it feels like to feel gray! Bravo!

[Meredith Kaupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am gray today...Gray is when I don't feel like me."

A young child is feeling "gray" in this story, not sunshine yellow or treetop green. As she tries to explain her feelings through different colors, she learns that we all have many feelings and our families will love us even on our gray days. The use of color and illustrations validate how we all have different feelings that we experience, and those feelings are all inside us and are not going away - so even on our gray days, we still have happiness inside of us waiting to come back.

Many, many children need to hear this message as they learn how to manage their emotions in healthy ways. It's a definite add to any library collection.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a profound picture book with amazing artwork that addresses sadness that children experience but may not be able to articulate. Author Dockrill and illustrator Child (a personal favorite!) have created a story that deserves to be awarded every children's literature accolade there is! I would also suggest that this book be in every classroom, doctor's office, and any public space that children and their adult frequents.

This book explains sadness in such a way that all children will understand, even young ones who may not be able to verbalize their sadness, grief, frustration.
"I love you however you are feeling ... ["] and my love won't change, even when you are gray."

A perfect encapsulation of "Gray." 🖤

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic text describes a day when a child just doesn’t feel like themself. A bit lonely, like they don’t belong, and like there are no colors: they feel gray. And the child is rendered in black and white, unlike the rest of the images, which have vibrant color. I like that Dockrill describes the feelings in terms of colors, allowing readers to identify their own emotion. A loving adult reminds the child that even though they may feel gray, all of the other colors are still inside them, and that they are loved even when they feel bad.

The large, sturdy pages have just a few lines on them each, and there are die cut holes which allow readers to see through to the next page. Child’s spare mixed media artwork is perfect for this quiet, heartfelt exploration of a big feeling.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Lauren Child's work, so I was geeked to see this one. The use of cut-out is as playful as you might anticipate with Child's illustration--and smart. Dockrill's words move and resonate (I was unsurprised to learn she is a poet).
"Gray is when you don’t feel like yourself, or like you don’t belong."
I really love the message, and for all the emotion-learning books on the shelves this one is one of the better ones I've seen. That said, it does use a lot of the groundwork for how we color emotions (metaphorically); it jus allows for something more. Gray adds nuance to what is "normal" and punctuates it with a message we cannot hear enough: we are loved.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child describes feeling "gray."

This picture book uses a color to describe an emotional state. It also reassures young readers that it is okay to feel this emotion, that they will still be loved by their caregivers even when they have negative emotions, and that no matter how they are feeling now, they are still capable of experiencing other emotions in the future.

This picture book helps young reader to identify emotions, which helps develop emotional awareness, which is the first step for emotional regulation.

The illustrations were created using mixed media and feature a cut-out, peek through format.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

This sweet book is all about emotions and our acceptance of them. Of course, I love the illustrations as Lauren Child is wonderful at childlike drawings that project so much feeling. The descriptions of emotion through color is spot-on and the introduction of Mom at end to offer unconditional love had me holding back my tears. A wonderful book on the acceptance of emotions, even the uncomfortable ones, and the idea that your “happy” feelings never leave you, they just might not be in charge for the moment.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like an instant friend, due to the illustrator also doing the art for the Charlie and Lola series. Also, it is similar to My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. A third grader recently reviewed this book in one of my book clubs, giving this book 5 stars (out of 5) and saying, "I got (understood) that book!"

Themes: emotions, mental health
Ages: preK-5th grade+
Pub year: 2024

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not just a book about emotions, but a powerful declaration that no matter our emotions, we are loved. The child in the book starts out the day saying they are gray and describing the various things that gray means to them. The author is a spoken-word poet and the text feels like an expressive poem, perfectly paced and written for a child's understanding. But what stands out the most is the mother's love and statement that no matter what color the child is feeling, she will always love them. A beautiful exploration of emotions and how you are loved on all your color days.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

👧🏻👦🏻 review: this book articulated the importance of the fact that being gray is ok. We always had those days once in a while when we were growing up and mom used to tell us that it’s ok as long as we tell her what we feel. The book showed the feeling of being gray through beautiful illustrations and it’s definitely perfect to be read to little one to let them know it’s fine to be gray sometimes. Love this one!

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As adults, we're all familiar with how colors are associated with emotions. This picture book perfectly introduces the concept of "blah" gray days. Nothing bad has happened but nothing good has either. We're just feeling blah. But then some color starts seeping into the world in the form of chalk on a sidewalk, and big red hugs. A mother reminds us that all of these feelings and colors are inside us but she will love us no matter how we're feeling.

[Binxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes we feel gray, not black, blue, red, orange, or any other color. This exploration of emotions is cute, thoughtful, engaging, and successful. The cut-outs, color choices, and overall illustrations are charming. This book will be great when approaching talking to kids about emotions. And, the reassuring message of unconditional love is one that never gets old or said enough.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Share with school counselors. Some die-cut, some drab, some colorful artwork presents a range of emotions that our MC is NOT feeling when they are feeling gray. Metaphors are effective. "Today you are gray like the storm in the clouds. But you know the clouds are the rain, and the rain makes a puddle, and you splash in the middle... and the sun sits there, too."

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, yes, yes! I absolutely loved this book! It's so affirming of different emotions and how we all may experience them. As a parent, I have to remind myself that younger kids experience just as wide a range of emotions as adults and sometimes they just don't feel like themselves. It's our job to let them know that they are loved and cared for at all times!

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what a fabulous story about feelings and the whole Crayola box of them! Poignant illustrations dramatize each emotional hue, and the die-cut pages show how feelings often bleed into each other. This story makes a heartwarming read-aloud for bedtime and an excellent reference tool for use in therapeutic settings.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes there's a lot of feelings, and they aren't yellow like they are bright and sunny, but more gray, where you need other colors to make you feel better. Totally getting this picture book for my middle school, what a great way to represent feelings. I know some children who can totally relate.

[Melanie Ceballos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel about a little boy who feels "gray." This boy talks about colors and uses metaphors to explain how he truly feels. At the end, what seems like his mother, explains how feeling gray is okay, you do not always have to be happy, and that he is still loved. And no matter how sad you may feel right now, there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will find happiness.

[Trish Banda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how they used colors to represent feelings. Basically, the book explains it’s “ok not to be ok” in a kid friendly way. Also shows that you are still loved when you’re feeling gray.

This would be cute to read in a classroom where you will also have a movie day to watch Inside Out.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork was interesting, and kids like books that have cut-outs in the pages. Still...to make a book like this for a concept that could have been told in a page or two...I guess that is what people want. Sigh.

[Karen Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not every day is a good one. This reassuring book reminds kids that unconditional love is the best reminder that better days are coming.

Childs' evocative art puts punches of color throughout and elevates the text.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book for your school psychologist. Or for a collection on feelings and being loved for all of them. Loved the illustrations and the cut out. Effective way of communicating how emotions penetrate through things.

[Milagros Ledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustration it really shows the feelings that we have inside. This book is a quick read but very important because children have bad days too and we should be comfortable with talking about it.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does a masterful job of expressing emotional reality for children. We need more books like this.

We're considering adding this to our program for children with an incarcerated loved one.

[Kaylee Dugan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a child who feels sad and dull - as if everything has lost its color. The mom reminds the child that it’s okay to feel this way sometimes and that the happy, bright feelings will come back soon. Great read!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this one! Feelings, moods, SEL

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be a good book to help children understand their emotions and that they are more than how they feel or act.