A Sense of Red - by Kate Riggs (Board Book)

About the Book

"An introduction to sensory processing, this illustrated nonfiction board book explores how familiar red objects engage our senses of hearing, sight, smell, balance, and more"--

Book Synopsis

As children experience the world around them, they often focus on what they can feel, see, smell, taste, and hear--but also on how their bodies find balance and maintain awareness of their surroundings. Sometimes these sensory inputs may even be associated with or described by certain colors. This illustrated nonfiction board book introduces the seven senses by calling attention to everyday objects and relatable experiences that are united by the color red, encouraging young readers and listeners to put concepts into practice as they crash, bump, perch, and follow other prompts to get A Sense of Red.

Review Quotes

Red thumps, bounces, perfumes, and perches in this sensory-rich concept book that invites readers to experience color with their whole bodies. Riggs's minimal, rhythmic text is paired with Pace's soft, expressive art to evoke red's emotional and physical impact. The final spread adds a moment of gentle reflection, encouraging presence and self-awareness. VERDICT A -visually striking and meditative concept book, well-suited for sensory exploration and early mindfulness collections.

The color red can be found throughout the environment in both natural and human-made conditions. From juicy strawberries and fragrant roses to bouncing balls and safety signage, red impacts creatures of all kinds in various ways. This clever board book introduces very young readers to their five senses through the unifying color of red. Utilizing very few words on each page, the text encourages readers to engage with the story throughout. From smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound to kinesthetic movement, the physical guidance provided by the narrative connects readers to their environment in a memorable and educational capacity. The color red is emphasized in the visual component of the book, both in the text itself and in the illustrations. By drawing attention to the color red in this way, the book is better able to connect readers to this specific hue as it appears within the world. Energetic illustrations primarily feature animals, utilizing a blend of natural and human-made structures in each one. These images pair nicely with the text while inviting young readers to closely investigate the pages as they read. As a board book, this title is well suited to young readers who are beginning to better understand the world around them in auditory and tactile ways, and toddlers will benefit most from the many invitations to move and engage with the book, as well. Primed for ongoing participation and learning, this is a thoughtful addition to home and shared library collections for very young readers.

This illustrated board book was described as different enough from the other titles coming out of the "board book fire hose". Why? Well, for one thing, this is a double concept book covering a single color as well as the five senses. It's origins? Turns out, Pace is Italian. They called it, "lightly literary", and the artist is a dog person (a fact that you may pick up on as you noticed how she managed to work more than a few into the book).

A fun and thoroughly 'kid friendly' colors and senses themed board book, "A Sense of Red" from Creative Editions is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, Kindergarten, and community library board book collections for children ages 3-5.