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Lindsay Ward
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This Book Is Gray Kindle Edition

by Lindsay Ward (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,453 ratings
Goodreads Choice Award nominee
See all formats and editions

Gray just wants to be included. But the other colors are always leaving him out. So he decides to create his own project: an all-gray book. Once upon a time, there lived a wolf, a kitten, and a hippo…

Gray just knows it’s going to be perfect. But as he adds page after page, the Primary and Secondary colors show up…and they aren’t quite so complimentary.

A book within a book, this colorful tale explores the ideas of fitting in, appreciating others, and looking at things from another perspective and also uses personality and wit to introduce basic color concepts.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 2
  5. Publisher
    Two Lions
  6. Publication date
    December 1, 2019
  7. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  10. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1542043410
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist: Best Picture Books

“This book is a fun introduction to color theory that may inspire children to use more gray in their artwork and remind them to include friends who are left out.” —Booklist

“A colorful primer on relationships and how to complement one another.” —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

When you read This Book Is Gray, you’ll quickly see that it is filled with many different hues. This is the vibrant tale of Gray, a member of a community of colors that includes the Primaries, the Secondaries, and even some who are complementary. Gray is tired of being thought of as boring by the other groups, so he decides to create his own all-gray book. But that doesn’t stop the other colors from weighing in.

Introducing basic color concepts, this story within a story about being true to yourself and making sure others see you for who you are is full of feeling and punchy, punny dialogue. And as you’re reading to your little ones, don’t forget to point out the fun reactions from the wolf, kitten, and hippo in the background.

- Kelsey Skea, Editor

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07MQR7B5V
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Two Lions (December 1, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8195 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,453 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lindsay Ward

Lindsay Ward

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Lindsay Ward has a BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her most recent books include I Am Not Sick, by Frank Tupta, Rosie Stronger Than Steel, This Book Is Gray, Let's Go! with HarperFestival, and the Amazon Bestselling Dexter T. Rexter series: Don’t Forget Dexter!, It’s Show and Tell, Dexter!, and Vacation for Dexter! with Two Lions. She is also the author and illustrator of Brobarians (Two Lions, 2017), The Importance of Being 3 (Dial, 2016), Rosco vs. the Baby (S&S, 2016), Henry Finds His Word (Dial, 2015), a Choose to Read Ohio Book, When Blue Met Egg (Dial, 2012), and Please Bring Balloons (Dial, 2013), which was produced into a play by the New York City Children’s Theater in 2017. Her work has been reviewed in Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, and the New York Times. Lindsay is the founder of Critter Lit, a free picture book manuscript and illustration critique service for up-and-coming authors and illustrators. Lindsay lives in Peninsula, Ohio with her husband, author Frank Tupta, three sons, and dog Sally. Visit her online at lindsaymward.com or follow her on twitter @lindsaymward.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
3,453 global ratings
A fun read with kids 4+
5 Stars
A fun read with kids 4+
I am definitely surprised by how much my daughter loves this book. I always pre-read books we buy before giving it to my kids. I didn’t love this one so I didn’t add it to their library. I don’t know how my daughter found it between all stored books and ask me to read it.SHE LOVED IT. Especially when we do different voices for the different characters.I definitely recommend this book for ages 4+.
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Top reviews from the United States

Joy St John
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute idea, great illustrations, good moral
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
I saw the title pop up in my list. Gray is my neutral base for color decor'. I dislike neutrals in the tan, beige, ivory spectrum as they do not readily mix with my favored spectrums of pastels or jewel tones and bright colors and contrasts. Grey is more versatile. You can spell it two ways, it blends everything without shading it toward other colors. It allows black and white sharp contrasts without becoming another contrasting color. So, I chose the book. It was easy to read. Fun. It built on the theme very well, thus keeping the reader interested and enticed to keep reading. It dealt with experiences of isolation, abandonment, longing, misunderstanding, respect, cooperation, rejection, hurt, desire, how we deal with these things by adding more isolation, rejection outward, abandonment in return, rejection in return, in other words, retaliation, by taking our wonderful selves away from those "bad" others. It taught focus on what you have and who you are and finding pleasure in self and surroundings even if others do reject and avoid but it also showed the need to be open and welcoming, the need to check perceptions out, a way to discuss differences while keeping one's self-respect, and our need for each other to have a rich, full, multidimensional, multi-functional life. Yep, all that in a short, children's story.
One person found this helpful
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Audrey B
5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024
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Good quality & content!
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Auntie Brown Lady
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2019
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I read this book to my 6-year old nephew and 7-yr old niece (who is very critical). Both of them enjoyed the book. It has a strip quality where the characters frequently interrupt and talk over each other, which was a bit confusing at first. I had to rely heavily on my training watching Gumball, Teen Titans, and Apple & Onion. Also, the format on Kindle is a bit frustrating; I could only view it in landscape, two pages at a time (rather than 1 page). This made the text a bit smaller and the character dialogue harder to follow. Nonetheless, I liked the message of inclusion. It sparked an interesting discussion (i.e., why we need all the colors, listening and showing compassion to our friends). Overall, the kiddos really enjoyed it and it made for a meaningful story time.
One person found this helpful
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Sunshineshare
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book :D
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2024
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I used this book with my kiddos. They enjoyed the book as much as I did. Cute story and illustration.
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Mike Berry
5.0 out of 5 stars 4.7 year old daughter loved it
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2023
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My daughter loved it. I do different voices for all characters in kids books, so I struggled, but it was fun and interesting.
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MAKAYLE MCLENDON
5.0 out of 5 stars cute!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023
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Cute book about colors! I love all the characters and their personalities. My daughter and I really enjoyed this book!
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Anomaly
3.0 out of 5 stars Cute and Enjoyable But Massively Misses Target Demographic
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2020
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I am so confused and conflicted because I both enjoyed parts of this book and felt like it completely failed in its mission. As an adult, I appreciated the sarcastic humour and liked the art for being cute. However, I don't believe children will understand this type of story or even be able to grasp the underlying message. I'm not even sure I can grasp the message myself, seeing how far it deviates from what's promised.

This isn't actually a book within a book; it's a book about anthropomorphized colours gathering around while one of their peers attempts to illustrate a story. By the end, the creating character doesn't even properly end his tale - which is more of a madlib filled in while arguing over artistic direction than a real story. And while this appears at first to be a cute story about how Gray is unappreciated and lonely and wants to show the value of his own talents, it quickly devolves into him being bullied by the other colours. Ultimately, one ruins the story he's trying to tell by vandalizing it with their own colour and the others decide that the only way to fix the ruins of Gray's project is to colour it. Yep, his personal project meant to be about him gets vandalized and then the people who were bullying him insert their own personal tastes while claiming to help him fix the damage. 

The message is confusing and vague. Is it about self worth? If so, it fails. Is it about acceptance? If so, it handles the matter entirely wrong. Acceptance isn't forcing others to assimilate to your own preferences. I just don't get it. Worse, most of the language used feels more suitable for middle grade readers despite being a picture book. I can't see a child understanding or enjoying this and I can't see a preteen wanting to read it.

Overall, I do think it's cute and I did like it but I wouldn't recommend this book for children. Maybe if the moral didn't get warped into how you can be happier from acceptance into a group which has been mistreating you, I'd say it's worth trying. But as is, I just can't say it's good for kids.

Note: I had trouble reading the Kindle edition of this book. Though you can double-tap text to get a larger version, it's imperfect. For example, once enabled, it continually zooms the text - including one instance where it zoomed one bubble on top of another and hid the text from the bottom one. There's also no pinch-zoom option, which meant I basicslly had to stick my nose to my phone to read this book. Not exactly a pleasant experience, and I'm even using a large phone! I dread to imagine how uncomfortable it is for people with smaller devices.
One person found this helpful
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K
5.0 out of 5 stars it was “grayt”
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023
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This book was good! Or grayt as the author would say! Cute illustrations and story. I liked the pink book more tho!
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Top reviews from other countries

Vijay
5.0 out of 5 stars awesome one
Reviewed in Canada on January 25, 2024
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Its a Very nice and funny book, our kids just loved it. Totally! Nice bed time story book.

I recommend it.
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Nathália
5.0 out of 5 stars it’s so cute
Reviewed in Brazil on February 24, 2023
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I loved it! This book is simple but with a beautiful message about friendship and acceptance.
I'm delighted. I recommend to little child!
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Oogabooga69
5.0 out of 5 stars Grey-t
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2024
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Fun book, my seven year old daughter really enjoyed it. Quick and easy read for bed time. Lovely illustrations and funny moments.
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Namita Das
5.0 out of 5 stars Colourful Lessons of Acceptance
Reviewed in India on July 17, 2023
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This book is an absolute gem! It offers a delightful and engaging story centred around colours while delivering a clever and subtle lesson on the importance of inclusion, diversity, and empathy. Gray, the lovable protagonist, longs to belong and share his unique story. However, he feels excluded by the other colours, who fail to appreciate his distinctiveness. Determined to make his mark, Gray creates a book with only grey characters. Yet, as he embarks on his creative journey, he discovers that he needs the assistance of his vibrant friends to make the book more captivating and appealing. Along the way, he learns that everyone possesses something valuable to contribute and that being different is wonderful.

The illustrations in this book are simply adorable and remarkably expressive, perfectly complementing the witty and humorous text. Packed with clever puns and jokes, it elicits chuckles from kids and adults alike. Additionally, the book introduces basic concepts of colour theory, such as primary, secondary, and complementary colours, in a simple and accessible manner. "This Book Is Gray" is an excellent tool to initiate conversations about acceptance, respect, and cooperation among children from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.

If you are looking for a delightful and meaningful book to share with your children or students, this is the one I would highly recommend. It is an absolute delight that will undoubtedly brighten up your day!
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Krista Luney
4.0 out of 5 stars Cute book about colours
Reviewed in Canada on February 1, 2024
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The media could not be loaded.
 I got this book for my son who love drawing. The book started out all Gary and eventually colours started flowing through each page. The story is about friendships, where Gray just want to feel included with the other colours.

We only read it once but haven’t pick it up for a 2nd read yet.
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Krista Luney
4.0 out of 5 stars Cute book about colours
Reviewed in Canada on February 1, 2024
I got this book for my son who love drawing. The book started out all Gary and eventually colours started flowing through each page. The story is about friendships, where Gray just want to feel included with the other colours.

We only read it once but haven’t pick it up for a 2nd read yet.
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