Orange

Readers will be eager to spot colors after finishing these volumes. Parents and teachers are encouraged to introduce terms by using the covers and the picture glossaries, important nonfiction elements that are well designed in this set. The clean layout contains clearly identified photos of plants, animals, and other natural objects. Responses to the recurring question, “Why is it. . .?” are simple. For example, the answer to “Why is it orange?” in regard to a pumpkin is “It is ready to be picked.” Some examples, such as purple sand and cacti, seem a stretch. An attractive page devoted to four shades of the featured color could encourage students to find additional variations. Complexities, such as why a color can sometimes frighten potential predators and at other times provide camouflage, are not considered. However, such nuances are explored in Enslow’s fine “Rainbow of Animals” series.

Books about colors tend to be, you know, colorful, but this book is really colorful. Double-page spreads are simply awash in rich shades of orange, depicting such naturally found plants and animals as carrots, birds, tigers, lilies, and much more. With each example, Rustad asks why the particular shade exists. “I see a sunset. Why is the sky orange? Dust makes it look orange.” Though some answers are less satisfying (“It is ready to be picked” may not be scientific enough for young minds curious about pumpkins), this is nonetheless a welcome second level of complexity. Back matter includes a chart of shades—a nice touch, considering the impressive panoply, from a pale peach octopus to deep orange butterflies. The whole Colors in Nature series is worth consideration.