What do you think?
Rate this book
Violet
Violet is happy that her father has come to pick her up after her first day at a new school. But as she races over to meet him, one of the other kids asks, How come your Dad is blue and you're not?" Violet has never even thought about this before. Her mother is red, and her father is blue -- so why isn't she red or blue? Why is she purple? Upset and confused, Violet goes to her mother. Using paints, her mother shows her that when you combine red and blue, you get violet! Like many people in the world, Violet is a beautiful mix of colors. But color isn't really that important. After all, it is what's inside us that counts.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published August 10, 2009
77 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 26, 2017
4★ #WeNeedDiverseBooks
Why do I look like I do? What kid hasn’t looked in a mirror and wondered why something about them is different from the rest of the family? But it probably doesn’t occur to most kids to think that somebody else would notice that.
This is a colourful, appealing picture book with a simple story about Violet, a young girl on her first day going to a new school. Her mother drops her off and waves goodbye (red hand out the car window).
"All the way to school, Violet’s heart was pounding. She could see all the kids making their way to the front doors. There were red kids, yellow kids, and blue kids…and then there was Violet."
They have fun, share lunches and play.
Violet’s schoolmates
Kids in schools come from all sorts of backgrounds, and while they aren’t quite as vibrant shades as Violet and her new friends, they represent today’s classrooms.
A beautiful bunch of real kids
American President Barack Obama is the famous offspring of a very white American mother and a very black Kenyan father. He came out a handsome, half-and-half blend, like Violet.
Obama and parents
Dad comes to pick her up and waves out the window – a blue hand, this time. A classmate asks why she isn’t blue.
”Mom was red. Dad was blue. So, why wasn’t she red or blue? Come to think of it, all her red friends had red parents. Her yellow friends had yellow parents. Her blue friends had blue parents. So, why was she purple?”
Violet’s mother explains when you mix red paint with blue paint you get VIOLET!
The next day at school she says proudly,
“My mom is red, my dad is blue, and I,” she said, grinning...”
Violet, happy ever after.
Thanks to NetGalley and Second Story Press for providing a copy for review. The words are very simple, the illustrations are terrific, and I’m delighted to see this being promoted again to make sure it gets added to the growing library of Diverse Books.
http://weneeddiversebooks.org/
Why do I look like I do? What kid hasn’t looked in a mirror and wondered why something about them is different from the rest of the family? But it probably doesn’t occur to most kids to think that somebody else would notice that.
This is a colourful, appealing picture book with a simple story about Violet, a young girl on her first day going to a new school. Her mother drops her off and waves goodbye (red hand out the car window).
"All the way to school, Violet’s heart was pounding. She could see all the kids making their way to the front doors. There were red kids, yellow kids, and blue kids…and then there was Violet."
They have fun, share lunches and play.
Violet’s schoolmates
Kids in schools come from all sorts of backgrounds, and while they aren’t quite as vibrant shades as Violet and her new friends, they represent today’s classrooms.
A beautiful bunch of real kids
American President Barack Obama is the famous offspring of a very white American mother and a very black Kenyan father. He came out a handsome, half-and-half blend, like Violet.
Obama and parents
Dad comes to pick her up and waves out the window – a blue hand, this time. A classmate asks why she isn’t blue.
”Mom was red. Dad was blue. So, why wasn’t she red or blue? Come to think of it, all her red friends had red parents. Her yellow friends had yellow parents. Her blue friends had blue parents. So, why was she purple?”
Violet’s mother explains when you mix red paint with blue paint you get VIOLET!
The next day at school she says proudly,
“My mom is red, my dad is blue, and I,” she said, grinning...”
Violet, happy ever after.
Thanks to NetGalley and Second Story Press for providing a copy for review. The words are very simple, the illustrations are terrific, and I’m delighted to see this being promoted again to make sure it gets added to the growing library of Diverse Books.
http://weneeddiversebooks.org/
October 1, 2023
I love this book so much too (I actually have two copies)!! I never really realized that I’m more similar to Violet than just our name because her mom is red and her dad is blue and my parents are different too (THAT RHYMED). I seriously can’t believe I never realized this book is an example of biracial representation 😭 I always thought it was just cool because her name is Violet and her skin is violet. okay anyways very good book brings me back to my childhood
July 5, 2017
I can really see this book being of benefit to families where they have a mixed race family member, I hadn't really thought before about how hard it may be for them to feel that they fit in and this book deals with the subject really well. It shows them that whilst they are different (in Violet's case her dad is blue and her mum is red and she is the only one like that at school with mixed parents), she is unique and a mixture of both her mum and dad and loved just as much as everyone else, 4 stars
May 16, 2014
With butterflies in her stomach, Violet braves her way through the first day of school, only to be left wondering 'Why am I Violet?' by the end of it.
Violet goes to school with blue kids, yellow kids, and red kids, but no where does she see any other purple kids, like herself. When one of the other kids asks why her dad is blue, and Violet isn't, she is left worrying about it. Luckily, her Mom knows just how to explain it to her.
Being that my daughter comes from two different backgrounds, I felt this was a great story to share with her. Tania has an interesting way of explaining that people are people, in a kid friendly way. The meaning behind this book is clear and inspirational. I can see this becoming a favourite, even just for the unique pictures alone.
Vanja has decorated each page with one of a kind artwork that appeals to my daughters' imagination. I can see a lot of parents loving this book, as much as their kids do.
I found it impressive that this is both the author, and the illustrator's first children's book. I hope to see more in the future.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. Opinions are always honest, and my own.
Violet goes to school with blue kids, yellow kids, and red kids, but no where does she see any other purple kids, like herself. When one of the other kids asks why her dad is blue, and Violet isn't, she is left worrying about it. Luckily, her Mom knows just how to explain it to her.
Being that my daughter comes from two different backgrounds, I felt this was a great story to share with her. Tania has an interesting way of explaining that people are people, in a kid friendly way. The meaning behind this book is clear and inspirational. I can see this becoming a favourite, even just for the unique pictures alone.
Vanja has decorated each page with one of a kind artwork that appeals to my daughters' imagination. I can see a lot of parents loving this book, as much as their kids do.
I found it impressive that this is both the author, and the illustrator's first children's book. I hope to see more in the future.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. Opinions are always honest, and my own.
August 3, 2010
My children and I liked this book for its originality—both in the story and the colourful quirky illustrations. By using the metaphor of colour to show being different is okay, the author has allowed for its application to all differences, not just skin colour. It could encompass physical and intellectual differences, multi-cultural and linguistic differences, as well as religious differences.
The story is a great way to introduce young children to tolerance and acceptance, and also to help them celebrate their own differences or uniqueness. A parent can easily bring up how special their child is because there is no one in the world like them. Helping children be proud of who they are, as Violet was, is also an important lesson derived from this story. The illustrator’s style is well suited to these themes and makes a beautiful book. I may be biased, though, because violet or purple is my favourite colour.
The story is a great way to introduce young children to tolerance and acceptance, and also to help them celebrate their own differences or uniqueness. A parent can easily bring up how special their child is because there is no one in the world like them. Helping children be proud of who they are, as Violet was, is also an important lesson derived from this story. The illustrator’s style is well suited to these themes and makes a beautiful book. I may be biased, though, because violet or purple is my favourite colour.
March 28, 2014
Violet is happy to go to school with her red, blue, and yellow friends but then someone asks her--if her dad is blue, why isn't she blue? She asks her mom (red) and using paints, her mom explains that Violet is a beautiful mixture of red and blue with to include bits of both her mother and her father. Red and blue make violet. And what's important is what is inside the skin, not its color.
Very simple picture book which explains in very simple terms a complex issue.
Very simple picture book which explains in very simple terms a complex issue.
April 1, 2015
This is a simple way to talk about race. We are all the same inside. Our Dad might be blue and our mom is red and that makes VIOLET. Some yellow kids, both parents are yellow. If they would have hit on adoption too that would be awesome. My mom and Dad are yellow but I am red.... Still nicely done!
February 26, 2024
An accessible introduction to the beauty that is diversity and specifically mixed-race families. Violet is nervous to start at a new school because. Things are going well, even though she's the only violet kid there, until her dad comes to pick her up and one of the other kids asks her why her dad is blue and she's not. Obviously, her mom is red and it becomes an opportunity to discuss diversity and colors and mixed-race families in a totally comprehensible way for kids. A nice story time read.
June 23, 2020
Mom is red, dad is blue, Violet is, well, violet. Cute concept, if a little simplistic, but considering how few picture books there are out there that address biracial identities, this is a good start.
July 12, 2017
This adorable children's story explores the challenging reality of having mixed heritage, by delving into the interaction with school peers who may look differently in an authentic manner.
August 27, 2019
I really enjoyed this book because I believe it is a common issue we face in society.
July 5, 2017
Sooner or later a child of a mixed race couple is going to run into the things that Violet does on her first day of school. Children are used to certain things, and when those certain things are different, be it food, or clothes, or skin color, they have questions.
Told in a very easy to understand story, Violet learns that when you mix Red with Blue you come up with Violet, and that is why her mother is red, and her father is blue, and she is violet.
Oh, if only the rest of the world could take this as the official explanation and noth ave hissy fits about race.
Cute book for libraries and for homes, to introduce the concept of mixed race.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Told in a very easy to understand story, Violet learns that when you mix Red with Blue you come up with Violet, and that is why her mother is red, and her father is blue, and she is violet.
Oh, if only the rest of the world could take this as the official explanation and noth ave hissy fits about race.
Cute book for libraries and for homes, to introduce the concept of mixed race.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
August 13, 2017
All the way to school, Violet’s heart was pounding. She could see all the kids making their way to the front doors. There were red kids, yellows kids, and blue kids…and then there was Violet.
I am always on the lookout for books that promote diversity and those that deal with issues children may experience in a non-confrontational way. This book is beautifully illustrated and has an important message for children (and adults!) about who you are inside being the most important thing about you, not the colour of your skin. We are all more similar than we are different, yet as a species we seem to spend and inordinate amount of time focusing on those differences.
This book deals with a complex issue in a straightforward way without becoming too preachy. I would have liked it if there had been other children in her school who were also mixed – green, orange and purple children would have made a really clear point about the diversity of the human race.
Overall, a beautiful picture books which presents ample opportunity for discussion with children.
‘People come in a whole rainbow of beautiful colors, but Violet, you shouldn’t worry about being like other people. Just be yourself. People should like you for who you are, not what color you are.’
What I liked: The message about diversity being something to be celebrated rather than hidden, the style of the illustrations, the relationship between Violet and her mother and how she explains that people come in all colours of the rainbow.
Even better if: This is a very minor point, but do wish it had the UK spelling (colour rather than color) as many children in the age range I teach get confused when the spellings change despite me explaining that US and UK English have differences. It would also have been nice to see green, orange and other purple children in her school!
How you could use it in your classroom: Brilliant book to share with young children to introduce the idea of cultural diversity being something positive, particularly important when issues of race, religion and immigration seem to be dominating headlines all over the world. I will be sharing this with my class, along with other books promoting diversity and mutual understanding. If you wanted, you could link it in with an Art unit on colour-mixing, talking about how mixing colours allows us to accurately represent all the wonderful colours around us. You could also debate if one colour is more important than any others, perhaps reading ‘The Day the Crayons Quit’ too.
(Thank you to Netgalley and Second Story Press for my review copy)
I am always on the lookout for books that promote diversity and those that deal with issues children may experience in a non-confrontational way. This book is beautifully illustrated and has an important message for children (and adults!) about who you are inside being the most important thing about you, not the colour of your skin. We are all more similar than we are different, yet as a species we seem to spend and inordinate amount of time focusing on those differences.
This book deals with a complex issue in a straightforward way without becoming too preachy. I would have liked it if there had been other children in her school who were also mixed – green, orange and purple children would have made a really clear point about the diversity of the human race.
Overall, a beautiful picture books which presents ample opportunity for discussion with children.
‘People come in a whole rainbow of beautiful colors, but Violet, you shouldn’t worry about being like other people. Just be yourself. People should like you for who you are, not what color you are.’
What I liked: The message about diversity being something to be celebrated rather than hidden, the style of the illustrations, the relationship between Violet and her mother and how she explains that people come in all colours of the rainbow.
Even better if: This is a very minor point, but do wish it had the UK spelling (colour rather than color) as many children in the age range I teach get confused when the spellings change despite me explaining that US and UK English have differences. It would also have been nice to see green, orange and other purple children in her school!
How you could use it in your classroom: Brilliant book to share with young children to introduce the idea of cultural diversity being something positive, particularly important when issues of race, religion and immigration seem to be dominating headlines all over the world. I will be sharing this with my class, along with other books promoting diversity and mutual understanding. If you wanted, you could link it in with an Art unit on colour-mixing, talking about how mixing colours allows us to accurately represent all the wonderful colours around us. You could also debate if one colour is more important than any others, perhaps reading ‘The Day the Crayons Quit’ too.
(Thank you to Netgalley and Second Story Press for my review copy)
July 5, 2017
~Disclaimer~
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book is about a little girl named Violet. She is nervous about making friends in her new school. Her day goes by quickly and she ends up having fun. When her father picks her up one of her class mates asks her why her dad is blue and she isn't. Violet doesn't know how to answer, she had never thought about it before. At her school there were red kids, blue kids, and yellow kids. There weren't any purple kids like her. When she asks her mother about it she is told that she is purple because she had a little bit of both of her parents in her. Her mom is red and her dad is blue. Her mother mixes red and blue paint together to show her that it makes purple-violet. She learns that there are a lot of mixed people in the world too.
"People come in a whole rainbow of beautiful colours. People should like you for who you are, not who colour you are."
I really loved this book. I like how it teaches about everyone in the world being different colours and races. People should like you for who you are not what colour you are. Children don't notice what colour they are until someone points it out for them. Violet has a red parent and a blue parent but didn't even notice their colours. Once pointed out to her she begins to feel that she is different and doesn't fit in. This is a very good book to read to any child not just a child that comes from two different backgrounds. It will teach them that everyone is different and that's OK.
I loved that the illustrations were so colourful. Every page had so many things to take in and look at.
This book takes a complex issue and uses a simple way to explain it to children.
I love love loved this book!!!
5/5 ⭐
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book is about a little girl named Violet. She is nervous about making friends in her new school. Her day goes by quickly and she ends up having fun. When her father picks her up one of her class mates asks her why her dad is blue and she isn't. Violet doesn't know how to answer, she had never thought about it before. At her school there were red kids, blue kids, and yellow kids. There weren't any purple kids like her. When she asks her mother about it she is told that she is purple because she had a little bit of both of her parents in her. Her mom is red and her dad is blue. Her mother mixes red and blue paint together to show her that it makes purple-violet. She learns that there are a lot of mixed people in the world too.
"People come in a whole rainbow of beautiful colours. People should like you for who you are, not who colour you are."
I really loved this book. I like how it teaches about everyone in the world being different colours and races. People should like you for who you are not what colour you are. Children don't notice what colour they are until someone points it out for them. Violet has a red parent and a blue parent but didn't even notice their colours. Once pointed out to her she begins to feel that she is different and doesn't fit in. This is a very good book to read to any child not just a child that comes from two different backgrounds. It will teach them that everyone is different and that's OK.
I loved that the illustrations were so colourful. Every page had so many things to take in and look at.
This book takes a complex issue and uses a simple way to explain it to children.
I love love loved this book!!!
5/5 ⭐
July 29, 2017
Violet is a picturebook written by Tania Duprey Stehlik and illustrated by Vanja Vuleta Jovanic. Violet is happy that her father has come to pick her up after her first day at a new school. But as she races over to meet him, one of the other kids asks, How come your Dad is blue and you're not?" Violet has never even thought about this before. Her mother is red, and her father is blue -- so why isn't she red or blue? Why is she purple? Upset and confused, Violet goes to her mother. Using paints, her mother shows her that when you combine red and blue, you get violet! Like many people in the world, Violet is a beautiful mix of colors. But color isn't really that important. After all, it is what's inside us that counts.
Violet is a delightful picturebook that explores race and being different. Violet is different, her mom is red and her father is blue- but she she is violet. She is worried about being different and faces questions from classmates. I liked how her mom calmly and simply explained, and the author is able to express the idea that people are people. It is not color (or race, religion, ability, or anything else) that define us- it is what is inside us that makes us who we are. The illustrations are wonderfully colorful and quirky, making the story more endearing. I really enjoyed the book and think it is an important one. This could be a great tool for families and classrooms, in fact I think everyone should read books like this- because understanding each other how simple the solution (if only everyone could live it) is important for us all. But most importantly, everyone should be able to see themselves in the books they read, and this gives so many children a chance to see themselves (and their families) in print.
Violet is a delightful picturebook that explores race and being different. Violet is different, her mom is red and her father is blue- but she she is violet. She is worried about being different and faces questions from classmates. I liked how her mom calmly and simply explained, and the author is able to express the idea that people are people. It is not color (or race, religion, ability, or anything else) that define us- it is what is inside us that makes us who we are. The illustrations are wonderfully colorful and quirky, making the story more endearing. I really enjoyed the book and think it is an important one. This could be a great tool for families and classrooms, in fact I think everyone should read books like this- because understanding each other how simple the solution (if only everyone could live it) is important for us all. But most importantly, everyone should be able to see themselves in the books they read, and this gives so many children a chance to see themselves (and their families) in print.
July 10, 2017
I love the idea of this book, that Violet is so-called because she has a blue parent, and a red parent, and together they make a violet child. This is a really child-friendly way of addressed the fact that people have different heritages and therefore may look different and be of mixed race. I love the last page, where Violet assertively and proudly tells us: "I am Violet!"
Aesthetically, I found that there was so much going on in the illustrations of each double page spread, that it detracted from the text quite a lot, however this means there is plenty for children to look at whilst their parent is reading the text to them. On the whole this book sends a great message.
(Thanks to NetGalley for this copy).
Aesthetically, I found that there was so much going on in the illustrations of each double page spread, that it detracted from the text quite a lot, however this means there is plenty for children to look at whilst their parent is reading the text to them. On the whole this book sends a great message.
(Thanks to NetGalley for this copy).
July 8, 2017
Thank you Net Galley for the copy to review.
Violet is concerned about making friends at school and all goes well until the end of the day when a schoolmate questions why her father is blue and she is not. Telling her mom about what happened, her mom explains that she is red, her dad is blue and Violet is a lovely combination of both.
This is not a complex, deep story about mixed racial children, but a nice launching pad for further discussion. Self-acceptance is explained in a simple, understandable way for young children. The illustrations are whimsical and colorful. I wish the children were more animated rather than flat in their expression.
Violet is concerned about making friends at school and all goes well until the end of the day when a schoolmate questions why her father is blue and she is not. Telling her mom about what happened, her mom explains that she is red, her dad is blue and Violet is a lovely combination of both.
This is not a complex, deep story about mixed racial children, but a nice launching pad for further discussion. Self-acceptance is explained in a simple, understandable way for young children. The illustrations are whimsical and colorful. I wish the children were more animated rather than flat in their expression.
September 2, 2021
I chose this book because I enjoy finding new reads, and I have not seen this book before. This book provided a very unique way of telling a story about being different. The plot or theme of the book reminds the reader it is okay to be different from your friends specifically at school, but also all around you. Not everyone is going to look the same, but in the end, Violet became proud of who she is and was okay with being a different color than her parents. I think this is a very up and coming topic and super pertinent in today's society.
August 28, 2017
I will be honest, I’m not sure what to think of this book. Violet is purple. Her mom is red, and her dad is blue. She is a little bit of both of them. She never thinks about any of this until people are confused by her blue dad. I know it's supposed to a book on being yourself, but i think some of it gets mixed up. It’s a bit convoluted. I think I need to hear others opinions on this title. I will say, I do like the artwork, as it’s not typical children’s picture book artwork.
July 5, 2017
This is a wonderful book for children who identify as being different from their classmates and friends. It celebrates differences and acceptance of individual identity. The pictures are colorful and fun and slightly *different* than what you may have encountered before... Just like Violet.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 3, 2017
Great story about family, acceptance, and diversity. Can also be used to initiate discussions about art.
July 17, 2017
This was a cute story of a mixed race girl! I loved the story and the illustrations were really nice!
August 11, 2017
I absolutely love this sweet little book.
October 4, 2017
A simple beginning explanation about mixed-race, using color theory.
November 15, 2017
Beautiful book about a girl who happens to be mixed. Great illustrations.
November 15, 2017
A little girl, whose skin is violet, learns to appreciate herself for who she is. Unique, surrealist illustrations.
July 5, 2018
This book is my new favorite thing. I just love it. Read it to all the little kids in your life.
April 26, 2022
The concept of this book is great. I really enjoyed how the character was left wondering why she was violet. I see so much potential for this book in so many different ways. I could see myself using this as a read-aloud in my classroom. I would highly recommend this book to teachers, and anyone!
October 5, 2014
The cover attracted me to this book. Campy, colorful drawings of butterflies, leaves, flowers, and designs surround the word Violet and the picture of an extremely skinny little girl whose skin is purple. The story is fairly simple. Violet begins school and is nervous about making friends. The first day goes well until her father comes to pick her up. Then a girl asks Violet why she isn’t blue like her father. At home, Violet’s mother, who is red, explains that Violet is a mixture of the two of them.
This is a gentle story that tackles a sensitive subject, mixed race children, with a light, positive tone. It also manages to sneak in a little lesson on mixing primary colors to get secondary colors.
I think this would be an excellent book for all children, not just those from mixed families. Every child should be made aware of comments that may hurt the feelings of children who see themselves, or are seen as, different than the majority. As well, the story shows that the child of mixed race parents can be both beautiful and precious.
The drawings are lively and fun. The length and vocabulary level would be suited to children in second grade but younger children would enjoy hearing the story read by an adult. I think this would be a wonderful addition to the books parents read to their children before they begin school.
This is a gentle story that tackles a sensitive subject, mixed race children, with a light, positive tone. It also manages to sneak in a little lesson on mixing primary colors to get secondary colors.
I think this would be an excellent book for all children, not just those from mixed families. Every child should be made aware of comments that may hurt the feelings of children who see themselves, or are seen as, different than the majority. As well, the story shows that the child of mixed race parents can be both beautiful and precious.
The drawings are lively and fun. The length and vocabulary level would be suited to children in second grade but younger children would enjoy hearing the story read by an adult. I think this would be a wonderful addition to the books parents read to their children before they begin school.
July 13, 2010
violet is a girl who lives in a world where all of the people she knows are primary colours. one day her dad picks her up from school and a friend asks why her dad is blue and she is violet. violet is a little upset by this and begins to question why she is different from all of the kids at school and even from her own parents, she goes home to ask her parents and her mom, who is red, sits her down and tells her that it’s not a bad thing to be different from the kids at school. she puts blue and red paint on a piece of paper and mixes them together to demonstrate that violet is a combination of her mom and her dad, making her special because she is a little bit of both of them. violet feels happy that she is a bit of both her parents and the next day at school tells the friend so with pride.
this is a good book to introduce racial difference in a very non-confrontational way. the different colours could represent different things to different people, but it teaches the that though you may be different from people on the outside, you should always be proud of who you are because you are a special person. blue and red are pretty generic colours so it isn’t a book about certain races but is abstract enough to let anyone insert themselves.
this is a good book to introduce racial difference in a very non-confrontational way. the different colours could represent different things to different people, but it teaches the that though you may be different from people on the outside, you should always be proud of who you are because you are a special person. blue and red are pretty generic colours so it isn’t a book about certain races but is abstract enough to let anyone insert themselves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews