Red

by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

From the author/illustrator of Green and Blue comes Red, a story about a lost fox that explores emotions through the use of color.

Dark Red,
Light Red,
Lost red,
Bright red.

Separated from its family, a lone fox experiences, anger, fear, and ultimately love as it journeys home. Lost and alone, he makes his way through a dark forest, injures his paw, has glancing encounters with humans, and finds himself trapped in a cage, before an act of kindness returns him to the wilderness.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Emotion, Nature, Juvenile, Adventure

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

Laura Vaccaro Seeger is a New York Times best-selling author and illustrator and the recipient of a 2008 Caldecott Honor, Theodor Seuss Geisel Honors for both 2009 and 2008, a 2007 New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award, and the 2007 Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Best Picture Book. Her books include First the Egg, The Hidden Alphabet, and Dog and Bear, among others.

Raised on Long Island, New York, Seeger began drawing at two years old and never stopped. For as long as she remembers, she wanted to write picture books. She received her B.F.A. degree at the School of Fine Art and Design at SUNY Purchase in Westchester, New York, and then moved to Manhattan, where she worked as an animator, artist, and editor in the network television business.

Seeger lives in Rockville Centre, Long Island, with her husband, Chris, their two sons, Drew and Dylan, and their dog, Copper. She loves painting, surfing, tennis, playing the piano, and spending time with her family. She takes long walks at the beach every day and paints in her studio every night.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/laurav...

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The different hues of the color red are intertwined with the life of a fox. 'Cuts' in the book transition the hues from page to page. The art is beautiful and lush; it accentuates the few words used by catching the attention of the reader as the story progresses. Sure to hold the attention of a child learning about colors.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a new story about a fox to read or a story with a mix of happy/sad moments for younger students and children, this is it. Great book for teaching or promoting empathy.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story told through image and color. Through the journey of one young fox from his den, through human civilization, and back home again, we learn empathy for a wild animal who could definitely use some more compassion from humans.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the title and its inclusion in a trilogy of books with color titles, this is not for learning about the color red. You can talk about what is bright red, or how mud looks red but with simple two word spreads, we get a story about an animal, nature and human interaction. It would be a good book for discussing the images along with what happens to the young fox through the course of the book. The one page I think children could need explained is ‘trick red’ but the following spread explains what occurred.

The art incorporates various shades of red while the fox color remains fairly consistent. It is easy to see the fox on each page. The two page spread of a field in greens, browns and red and a small fox evokes sadness for this ‘lost red’ and fear for the fox, still small on the next page, caught in headlights. The cutouts are well done in most places and I would flip back to see which spot of artwork was used in the following spread. The page for “trust red” and the cutout with the girl’s hands doesn’t work as well, it just looks a little odd. Some cutouts are colors that blend into the next spread while others, such as the white fence post used for part of a shovel, are more creative.

The front papers show green leafed trees and green forest floor as three larger foxes run ahead of a smaller, more brightly colored fox. The passage of time is shown as the leaves change, apples fall, and fields yellow. The small fox’s appearance changes too so by the time we get to ‘trick red’ the fox looks haggard. Children will be relieved that the small fox gets a happy ending. One red we don’t get is ‘warm’ but the last spread of the two foxes gives the reader a warm feeling with the image of the two foxes and the softer red with tinges of white and yellow. The larger fox’s back and the small fox’s chest seem to glow a bit. The foxes are slightly anthropomorphized at the end as the small fox and parent fox (assumed) are smiling.

The cover is brushes of paint with faint image of foxes running. The light and dark shades of the cover give a slight sense of foreboding—red isn’t necessarily a “happy” color, used more often for warnings. Red gets you noticed. Red is the color of the little girl’s hood as she goes to see her grandmother and the cover with the faint fox images almost feels like a warning connected to that tale. But the title page/endpapers show a forest that belongs to the foxes and that small fox lagging behind is the one who will be finding some danger.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using different shades of the color red, Seeger tells a heartfelt story about a young fox. With gorgeous detailed illustrations and minimal text, this picture book tells a poignant narrative that will have readers of all ages poring over each page.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about wordless (or nearly wordless) books is the depth of emotion that they convey. Just like Aaron Becker's "Journey" trilogy, Laura Vaccaro Seeger does the same with her color trilogy. She says
"I believe that readers should make their own connections with characters in books, but in my mind, the boy we watched grow up in "Blue" is the father of the little girl we see at the end of "Green." And a few years late, that little girl plays a pivotal role in "Red.""

That is the type of storytelling that I am here for!

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been patiently waiting for the release of this book and it was worth the wait. With a red fox in this story, a sweet tale evolves. Molly you will love the fox!

The illustrations are just magnificent with interesting cut outs on each page - making the reader wonder what’s behind a cutout on the next page and where will the cutout land when the page is turned? Endpapers help to tell the tale.

To understand this series, read the authors note at the end of the book.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: illustration fans; readers looking for a book that explores complex emotions with few words.

Possible red flags: some readers may not enjoy that the book focuses on illustrations more than words; anger, fear, etc.

[David Haggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Seeger's illustrations are stunning, both for her attention to hues as well as her attention to details.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Picture Book

This picture book with beautiful illustrations and few words, creates a poignant story about the color red. It’s very emotional.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fox is lost, captured, and set free in this little story, all told with only two words on a page in vivid shades of red. A marvel of brevity, packed with emotion.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colors can evoke many emotions, as we see a fox far from home, then reunited with its family. Be sure to read the author note for added understanding and connection to Seeger’s Blue and Green books.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Holiday House Publishing, Inc. through Edelweiss+.
Seeger again uses one color palette to capture a wide spectrum of emotions connected with it. In this case, readers see strong reactions to the color red. Using the fox as a focal point offers a clear visual for young readers. As with Green and Blue, this book opens discussion topics on several levels.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red is stressful

[Alissa Tsaparikos · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cut collage illustrations are fantastic, but this one lends itself more to storytelling rather than the color concept, despite the text trying to lean towards the concept more.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Vaccaro Seeger has created another in the die-cut book series invoking emotion through color. Following “Green” and “Blue”, “Red” picks up the story of a young red fox who has become separated from its family and familiar terrain. As it searches for a way back it encounters other reds – leaves, blood, mud and rust but also the red of rage and trust. Finally, the youngster finds its way back to its red fox family and its red fox mother and becomes once again, “just red”. The illustrations in “Red” are startling and beautiful. Signature Laura Vacarro Seeger die-cuts frame hidden moments from page to page and beg the reader to keep turning.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing how a book whose text is entirely "shades" of red, can tell such an emotional story! The color red can bring out an array of emotions from hurt to anger to love. All of this is conveyed in Seeger's story.
Do not miss the author's note at the end. It will have you rereading the book over and over, looking for additional details.

[Natalie Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it may be difficult to guess from the cover title, Red is the captivating story of a little fox. Using minimal text, expressive art, and small cutouts that show a sneak peak of the next page, Laura Seeger has created a book that was voted kids' choice winner by many a classroom last year.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful exploration of different shades of red, told through a story of a lost, then returned home, fox.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this author/illustrator's earlier Green and Blue and how each one of those picture books tells a powerful story using only one color with different shades and tones. Now, with Red, the story comes full circle even though that might not have been her original intent. Filled with illustrations, created with acrylics and using carefully-placed die-cuts, and images stretching across each page's gutter, this picture book follows a small fox that has somehow become separated from others like it. As the vulpine tries to find its way back, it faces many challenges and dangers. Eventually, the fox is captured in a cage before being released into the wild by a compassionate young girl, and it makes its way back home at last. Minimal rhyming text ["mud red" (unpaged) and "blood red" (unpaged), for instance appears in white or black letters so that readers can see it without disturbing the rest of the illustrations. The images and text capture the emotions experienced by the fox throughout this experience, but especially when it has been trapped and feels "rage red" (unpaged). As the author explains in the back matter, colors are often associated with emotions, and red's shades have both negative and positive connotations. This picture book is just as stunning in its own right as its predecessors, and reading it offers much space for discussion about emotions and feelings as well as colors. It's tempting also to read between the lines to tell the fox's story or that young girl's story and what prompts her to free the fox. I might share this book while reading the chapter books, Pax or Pax: Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

With just 2 words per page, one of which is always red after an adjective, Seeger tells the story of a fox who wanders far from home and encounters both harshness and kindness in the wider world.

I am always impressed by how Seeger positions her die cuts just right in her illustrations. I can't even imagine how much time that must take. I am also impressed with how much she can convey through her illustrations and two little words per page. This book, just like her other two colored titles, manages to convey drama, highs and lows of emotions, and a full story with so little. Definitely read the author's note in the back of this one to find how how she imagines Green, Blue, and Red relate to each other.

[Carol V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red is the perfect picture book for children! I’ll list the reasons why…
*A great Concept builder about color in our world
*Language development – adjectives defining the word red, with illustrations
*Comprehensive skills and sequencing of events - the story about a young fox that wanders away from the family. How to get this wild creature back to where it belongs
*Emotional, physicals, social skills – the lone baby fox exemplifies curiosity and wonder, worry, sadness, pain, hunger, anger, love and joy, contentment
*Love, appreciation, and understanding of nature and wildlife
A great book to address any of those features with students! Tested and proven to be great with a four-year old granddaughter!

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just say no to a child being allowed to release an enraged fox from a live catch cage! How would the child know whether the fox is “enraged” or rabid? Depicting such a foolish action is irresponsible, especially when captioned as “trust red” instead of “danger red.” Furthermore, why anthropomorphize the fox at all? Why not focus on the girl’s emotions—her anger, fear, hostility, and, ultimately, love—and how they all figure in the tale of her trying to return to her own family that has left her behind to fend for herself and befriend foxes?

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork! This book uses cut-outs to bring some of the colors from the previous page into the drawing of the next page. It makes a nice effect. Some of them work so well, it's hard to see the cut-out.

This is a story about foxes and also about the color red. I don't feel there are really that many variations in the colors. Most of them felt fairly dark to me.

The artwork is nice and the story was simple, yet I still think kids will enjoy the fun of the cutouts in this story. I must be filled with vinegar or something. I've been grading more harshly lately.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m disappointed to find out about the previous two books, though unintentionally connected, I wonder if it would change my perception of this text.

Thick pages. Full, color-filled illustrations. The simple text, though it does enhance the book, is not needed to understand the plot and feel the emotion from page to page. Amazing how the use of color, tiny, shading can really impact emotions of readers! An excellent and unique classroom must have!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book that follows a young fox who is separated from their family and is trying to get back home. And they do just that - with a little help from a kind girl. The story is told in varying shades of red - and there are die-cuts which will appeal to younger kids.
I liked that Seeger explained a bit about writing Green and Blue and now Red and the relation to the characters in the books to each other.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like with the author's book "Blue", the reader pieces together the story from magnificent paintings and two words per page that encapsulate what's going on.

It's much more than a book about color and doesn't shy away from the difficult emotions of "red".

As many times as I've come across the word "evocative" and not understood really what it meant...this book puts that word in context.

It evokes emotion and a story, much more than is literally there.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red is the third book in the color series, that is so much more than a color story. Told in spare text and gorgeously illustrated, full color double page spreads with die cuts. Essentially this book is a story told in art with a two word color description. A young fox is separated from his mother. Indulge in pouring over the art and discussing the various scenes to find out what happens to the young fox. Highly recommended.

[msfox_librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful work of art this book is! Each page has cut outs showing colors from the following page, and when the page is flipped the cutouts align with the art on the previous page to complete the next one. Not sure if that will make sense until you pick up the book, but it is really nicely done. Even though there is little text in the book, and every page focus on red, it is still very evocative and narrative.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book closes the trilogy of the books of color (Green 2012, Blue 2018) as the reader follows a lost red fox as he travels to find his family. The story uses the various shades of red to show the emotions the color has come to represent. The story ends with a young girl lending a hand to help the fox on his way.