Black Meets White

by Justine Korman Fontes, Geoff Waring (Illustrator)

Crisp, die-cut artwork and a spare, sprightly text lure readers on a playful exploration of opposites. Purr-fect!

What happens when Black meets White? They make polka dots ("That tickles!" Black giggles.), a checkerboard, stripes, wiggles, and more. And when Black and White come together, get ready for a big-eyed, whiskered surprise! With clever diecuts, flaps, and a final, satisfying tab, the mischievous BLACK MEETS WHITE proves that opposites can be attractive indeed.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime

24 pages, Hardcover

First published June 6, 2005

About the author

Justine Korman is the author of over 600 children's books, including mega-selling adaptations of Disney hits like THE LION KING, plus her original popular GRUMPY BUNNY series for Scholastic.

Justine has been writing all her life. She worked part-time in publishing while earning her B.A. in English Literature, Phi Beta Kappa from New York University. While an editorial assistant at Golden Books, she met her future husband and partner, Ron Fontes, an artist in the Whitman Comics department, who moved on to mighty Marvel Comics.

When Justine started getting freelance writing assignments, Ron pitched in and a children's book writing team was born! Ron brought visual storytelling, theatre, and history; Justine enthusiasm, humor, and a straight-A attitude.

In 1988, the couple moved to Maine, where they have written everything from beginning readers and novelty books to historical fiction and graphic novels.
Justine's hobbies include fitness, juggling, gardening, cooking, and playing the ukulele. She also enjoys making movies with Ron.

The prolific couple's goal is to write 1001 children's books.

Reviews

[Madelyn Camacho-Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book that points out patterns. It would be a good book to introduce patterns to young children. They focus on the colors black, gray, and white, but it could have been used with any colors. The pictures are very simplistic and focus on the pattern it's showing you.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out last week, and it was an immediate favorite of my kids (2.5 years and 7.5 months). It teaches a few patterns using black and white (the contrast captures children's interest quickly) and then has the colors come together to make gray. Cutouts in each page and a pull tab at the end make it even funner for kids.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked using this one a lot in my storytinme on colors. black meets white and they play together, making fun patterns such as polka dots and stripes. at the end, they mix to make gray, portrayed as warm and soft instead of dreary and cold. simple and fun to look at.

[Teresa Ortiz]

This was a cute book. Different black and white designs that merge into patterns and creations on each page. The end of the book has the black and white turning into gray, and forming a mouse. I didn't really understand the point of this book, but it was a cute idea.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I love this book. One of the best random library grabs ever.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book uses black and white to teach about patterns and what happens when the colors mix. It is a fun concept book perfect for storytime.

[Lindsay]

colors, cats, mice, patterns

[kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the cute outs in the pages, but otherwise the story really isn't anything

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book that shows various patterns and ends with the two colors missing to make the color grey. Good for toddler time.

[Joan Arbogast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever use of black and white which lead to grey. The novelty cut-outs and flaps add delightful surprises to sparse text.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the bold graphics and how the shapes transformed.