Colorsss - by Deborah Hutchinson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This book teaches children about colors, how they appear in nature, and why animals exist in such a wide range of colors and patterns. When people imagine a snake, they might picture something brown or green, but did you know that some snakes are blue and even pink? Nature is full of surprises! After admiring snakes in a rainbow of colors, children and adults can explore the bonus pages to learn how snakes defend themselves from predators by using colors, patterns, venoms, and poisons. To reduce environmental impact, Colorsss is printed on FSC-certified paper using vegetable-based inks and features biodegradable lamination.

--Suzie Housley

Review Quotes

Colorsss delivers a vibrant and educational journey into the world of snakes--their dazzling colors, remarkable traits, and the wonders of their natural habitats. From beginning to end, it offers fascinating insights that illuminate the richness of the animal kingdom.

Deborah A. Hutchinson, PhD, has crafted an educational book that draws readers into the captivating world of snakes. With vibrant imagery and fascinating facts, each page bursts to life--sparking curiosity and leaving children inspired to discover even more about these incredible creatures. --Suzie Housley, Midwest Book Review

--Suzie Housley "Midwest Book Review"

Vibrant, educational, and fun...

Hutchinson's latest slithers in with a playful hiss and a bold mission: to turn fear into fascination. The book begins with a white egg, unfolding into a spectrum of snakes--red, orange, yellow, even pink--each real, striking, and worthy of attention. The well-paced rhymed verse holds young readers' focus while inviting them to see snakes not as nightmares but as nature's masterpieces. The transition to nonfiction is smooth. Hutchinson walks readers through the reasons behind all that color (camouflage, warning signals, survival strategies) without oversimplifying, and her explanation of "venomous" versus "poisonous" is precise. She reminds readers that most snakes aren't dangerous and that the venom in a snake's bite might one day help save a life. But the real bite comes in the note to grown-ups. Kids aren't born fearing snakes, she argues. They learn it from us. So, stop recoiling and start teaching. Snakes kill pests, cure diseases, and keep ecosystems humming. They're not monsters; they're miracles with scales. More than a picture book, this is a vibrant, slyly persuasive lesson in wonder and respect.

A beautiful book that gives snakes their due and gives readers a reason to look twice before saying "ew." A must-have for school and public libraries. --The Prairies Book Review

--The Prairies Book Review "The Prairies Book Review"

"Colorsss by Deborah A. Hutchinson is a unique and fascinating introduction to snakes using their striking colors. The rhyming text accompanies one full-color image per spread. The first photo shows asnake hatching out of a white egg. From there, the variety and colors increase. Some snakes feature one color only, while others have multiple hues. After the rhyming portion, which is suitable for very young children, a question-and-answer section follows. Details about a snake's defenses and how to safely interact with and appreciate snakes are included. The author has also penned a letter encouraging parentsto demonstrate to their children the value of all species of nature. The last page identifies each snake that is mentioned and where they reside.

Colorsss is an attractive and informative presentation of snakes for even the youngest explorers. The text and photos work together beautifully. While not your typical preschool color book, all the standard colors are here: red, yellow, green, and blue. The difference is that the pictures demonstrate the incredible variety of shades found in each color. Deborah Hutchinson does a wonderful job of explaining the difference between venomous, nonvenomous, and poisonous snakes. I learned a few things myself, but the information is very accessible for kids. The overriding message that the author succeeds in conveying is that snakes are a valuable and necessary part of nature. Introducing children to them in a non-threatening way will help kids develop respect for them. Colorsss is a stellar initiation into the world of reptiles." --Kristine Zimmerman, Readers' Favorite

--Kristine Zimmerman, Readers' Favorite "Readers' Favorite" (3/27/2025 12:00:00 AM)