White Is for Blueberry

by George Shannon, Laura Dronzek (Illustrator)

Is a blueberry blue?

Is a crow black?

Is fire yellow?

Is snow white?

If you think you know,
then think --
and look again!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Animals, Nature, Nonfiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

George Shannon is a popular storyteller and former children's librarian whose many notable picture books include Tomorrow's Alphabet, Lizard's Guest, and White Is for Blueberry. Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!, illustrated by Laura Dronzek, was named a Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book. George Shannon lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely little non-fiction book that teaches a little bit about nature and about colors and about colors in nature.

It’s a concept book, not a storybook. The premise is fascinating, and the information is provided in a clear and interesting manner.

I think young kids will enjoy it and are likely to learn something. Kids who already know their colors and know what these things in nature look like might also find it amusing because it first it seems as though the color assigned to an object is simply wrong.

I really enjoyed the colorful illustrations. They’re very informative, large & bold, and I found the picture at the end particularly charming.

I probably upped it a half star at least because I don’t think I’ve come across another book that’s very similar to this one.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing things differently. Exploring their dimensions beyond the obvious. This book awakened my senses and challenged my expectations.

[Elena Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

White is for Blueberry is one of the most unique children’s book I have ever read. The title alone grabs the attention of children and adults because it instantly makes the reader want to know, “How is a blueberry white?” The story takes common knowledge about different plants and animals then opens the reader’s eyes to understanding that this “common knowledge” is often a misconception. It is definitely an interesting concept because as I read, I challenged myself to figure out what the author was referring to before flipping the page. Sometimes I figured it out, and other times I did not. Then, the end of the book ties together the whole concept so children are able to open their eyes and minds in a small, simple way and maybe think of different ways to look at objects around them. The illustrations are great because they do not give hints about how these animals and plants could have unusual colors featured in them, then once the reader turns the page the next illustration makes the odd color seem so obvious.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty nifty take on teaching colors. I love books that push the boundaries of the way we see the world.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of colors, but tells the colors in ways you wouldn't immediately think of - white is for blueberries when they're too young to be picked for instance. Great lesson in looking past your assumptions,a nd examining items a little closer.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the questions this book brings up. And the answers. A take on a color primer that defies expectations.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. I love books that teach critical thinking, thinking 'outside the box,' taking an alternative point of view or perspective... and this is one of the best. So simple in concept that a rug rat could appreciate it, so impactful that any learner, any age, could benefit from it. Pictures are a perfect complement to the design.

And, yes, one does have time to think, sans clues, before turning the page, to see why/when a blueberry is white. That one I figured out. I must have already fossilized my thinking (or maybe I was just impatient), because most of them I did *not* figure out. That is to say, even if you don't have children, I recommend this book as a brain teaser!

(I really should find or make a Listopia, and add, for example, Guess Again!)

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book! When is a blueberry white? When it is still a flower. This book makes you think.

[Jason Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite picturebooks are the ones that either surprise me, entertain me (as an adult) or teach me something. Fortunately, this book does all three. Confusion already sets in at the title, how is a blueberry white? It turns out that blueberries that have yet to ripen are actually white in color; this little factoid might inspire research into other fruit facts and can lead to some fun nonfiction readalongs. Other facts are a bit more about critical thinking and perspective, so it might be fun to get children to make guesses before turning the page. "How are ravens pink...?" "When they are born!" The artwork is cute, but nothing special, this isn't Wiesner work, but it doesn't have to be. I'm going to close this review off with the final pages of the book:

"It all depends on when we look...how near or far..." (indistinct picture of an apple tree)

"outside [red apple] or in [red apple bisected down the middle, showing very little red with the white insides and seeds]

[Irina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the colors that you see when you take a closer look at something. This book can be used when talking about colors to a child, but I wouldn't say that it is a good book for introducing colors. There is a deeper meaning behind this book so it could be confusing for a child just who has not become familiar with colors yet.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well now, this was an interesting twist on stories about color! This was clever and creative, and I loved that its main lesson was really about looking at things from different perspectives and thinking about things in different ways. The kids, especially my niece, were engaged by this one.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprising little gem. I pulled it for the unit on blueberries, and I liked it so much that i used it as our final book even though it really wasn't about blueberries. Instead, it's about looking at the world differently and challenging all those preconceived notions about how the world works. I remember looking at pictures of trees that I drew as a little girl. All the trunks were gray. And it made me actually look at a tree. The bark really is gray, not brown! Who knew? We're so used to seeing things the way we're supposed to see them that sometimes we forget to look deeper. This book helps kids do just that. And they really enjoyed trying to figure out (the older ones) or guess (the littles) where the other color could be found. They got a few right, but most they didn't know. But now they do. And I've noticed them spending more time really looking at nature and commenting on the colors they find to each other, so I'm calling this one a winner. After all, even hubby found it interesting. And he's an artist! Highly recommended.

[Rylee Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

White is for Blueberry is a concept book that goes the extra mile. From the page-turners, to the lively illustrations, children and adults will love this book. On every page, a color is presented, when you flip the page, it is not what you would expect. "Pink is for crow" turn page, "when it has just hatched from its egg". This page-turning book is a great way to teach young readers color past the "apple is red" stage. Young readers will constantly be thinking ahead while reading or listening to White is for Blueberry. The illustrations are vibrant and alive making the book even more exciting.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative and fascinating concept for a picture book. Challenge kids to think beyond the obvious. How is a blueberry white, a pine tree yellow, or a crow pink? I love how many different ways you could take the conversations here by observing changes in the world. Explore the nuances of everyday things that we think we know so intuitively. Having kids think of their own examples would be a fun extension. Dronzek’s illustrations are always a treat as well.

[Marla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok... I understand the premise the author as going for, but it seemed to miss the mark. The age range that that it's aimed at is so literal, that on every page you'll be met with "no it's not!" or something similar. Older children who would catch on to the idea of the story may be bored by the simple text.

[Crystal Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

White is for Blueberry by George Shannon is a thought engaging. Just the title of this book makes one pause and question what is known of blueberries and how the color white could possibly be linked to a blueberry. Shannon has readers look past the obvious. This book is perfect for having young readers look deeper than initial appearances.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

White is the blueberry when it's not yet ripe. Red is the sky when the sun sets in the west. And there are dozens of other natural miracles in this book which challenges young readers to see the color of nature in a different light.
Four stars
George Shannon gives you the silver, blue and gold....and other colors of the sky, all well told!

[Marla at the Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok... I understand the premise the author as going for, but it seemed to miss the mark. The age range that that it's aimed at is so literal, that on every page you'll be met with "no it's not!" or something similar. Older children who would catch on to the idea of the story may be bored by the simple text.

[Brittney Hamrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores nature and the different colors within. It makes the reader consider the perspective they are viewing color through. Are they looking at the end result of a BLUEberry, or are they seeing white blueberries before they are ripe to eat?

[Carolyn Jeziorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this as a read aloud with grade five students as a way to look at perspective. It was a fun book to read, and the kids were really engaged in guessing what the connection was between the colors and objects.

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could make for a fun interactive read-aloud, the text allows for some great questions. "Pink is for crow..." "Are crows pink? Are you sure? Let's find out!" (spoiler, baby crows are pink!) And so it would go.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do things look the same? Great book introducing perspective #YoungReaders #PictureBook #BookReview #ChildrensBooks #amreading

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just when you think you know what color things are, they are not! Perfect for discussion on how things are not as they seem and how they change. Love the title.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about thinking outside the box. With beautiful illustrations.

[Megan Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great color book! Looking at common objects in a different way.

[Orion Kopf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and clever! Encourages abstract thinking.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to read and write with this.

[Christine Kallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son thinks this book is so silly, but I really love how it helps you look at common things from different perspectives. Such a creative concept and, as always, I love Laura Dronzek's artwork.

[Kelly Miller]

This book challenges the reader to see things from a different perspective.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pairs unexpected colors with objects and gives the reader a different way of looking at the ordinary.