(This post contains affiliate links)
Here we share 8 of our favourite books on colors that we think are must-haves in your school library.
Hello, Red Fox by Eric Carle
It is little frog’s birthday and he invites his colorful friends. Mama frog is surprised that all the animals are the wrong colors. Little frog tells her that she is just not looking long enough and he is right.
This is a fun interactive book about colors with ‘optical illusion’. We think this book is more suitable for older children because it requires more concentration for them to see the visual color transformation.
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
This vibrant book has beautiful illustrations and is a wonderful book to use for teaching about colors and flowers. Children can learn the different flower names too!
Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
This is a brilliant book to teach about colors blending (blue and yellow makes green) and friendship with very simple illustrations and words.
The story begins with two color dots, little blue and little yellow, who are best of friends. They live across the street from each other and play together every day.
On one of such day, they hug each other until they turn green! They play as green all day long but when they return home, their parents can’t recognize them anymore… You have to read the book yourself for the beautiful and charming ending.
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
This is a cute story about three white mice who discover three jars on paint: red, blue and yellow. The mice get into the paints, make a mess and discover what happens when you mix colors.
The author use cut-paper collage for the illustrations and the storyline is simple, perfect for preschoolers.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
It is great for learning colors as well as animal names. Soon enough your toddlers will tell you what is coming next before you turn the page.
This book is a classic and a must have in your library. The bold colors of the illustrations by Eric Carle and the catchy rhyme by Bill Martin Jr. are sure to capture your toddlers’ attention.
A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
Each animal has its own color, for example: elephants are gray, pigs are pink, etc. But a chameleon has no color of his own. The story follows a chameleon who is not happy that he changes colors. In order to remains one color, he decides to stay on a green leaf. But as the seasons change, so does the leaf and the chameleon. In the end, he meets an older, wiser chameleon and from his new friend, he learns to accept himself.
Lemons are not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
This wonderful book helps children learn about the different colors of the things around them such as lemon, apple, reindeer, snowman, moon, carrot, etc. It is a die-cut book that is fun and engage the children through visual game.
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
This book is a special one. It relates colors to emotions, which is rare to find in our opinion. The painting style illustrations are very different from the usual Dr. Seuss style. That is because this book is illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. The simple story is a great reminder that there are good and bad days, that we have different moods and most importantly that it is okay to experience these emotions. This book is wonderful not only to learn about colors but also to discuss moods and emotions with your children.