Lemons Are Not Red - by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Paperback)

About the Book

The author of "The Hidden Alphabet" introduces young children to color in this unique concept book with die cuts and simple text. Full color.

Book Synopsis

Lemons are not Red. Apples are red. Lemons are yellow. . . .

Clever cutouts in the pages make a simple, original, and utterly beguiling introduction to color.

Laura Vaccaro Seeger, whose The Hidden Alphabet dazzled critics and readers alike, introduces young children to color in this unique concept book with die cuts. The opening spread features a big, bright red lemon and the simple text, "Lemons are not RED." When the spread is turned an equally bright yellow lemon appears ("Lemons are YELLOW") across from a luscious red apple ("Apples are RED").

And so it goes, from carrots that are not purple through reindeer that are not white, et al. The book ends with "The moon is not BLACK / The moon is SILVER / The night is BLACK / Good night! And the reader sees a tranquil night landscape and a house with the lights turned out.

This title has Common Core connections.

Review Quotes

"This creatively designed volume combines an introduction to colors with a bedtime story" --Booklist

"Vaccaro once more delivers a compositionally faultless primer." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The creator of The Hidden Alphabet (Roaring Brook, 2003) offers another visual treat.... Illustrated with richly colored yet simple oil paintings, this offering will delight preschoolers." --School Library Journal

"The heavy paper should stand up to multiple readings and pokings.... the colors and textures are nearly edible." --Horn Book

"Seeger has done marvelous things with her brushwork, from impasto to shimmering smoothness...Clever, imaginative, and utterly beguiling." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Cleverly designed concept book uses brilliant colors and die-cuts." --American Library Association

"Kids will adore righting the wrongs of carrots painted purple and flamingos gone gray." --Child Magazine Best Book of 2004

"Artfully placed and shaped die-cuts lead toddlers into an interactive world of bright colors." --New York Public Library Best Book for Giving and Sharing, 2004

About the Author

Laura Vaccaro Seeger has been called "the queen of the concept book by The Horn Book and is the winner of many awards including two Caldecott Honors, two Geisel Honors, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. Her books include The First Egg, One Boy, Green, and the Dog and Bear series.