THE COLOR COLLECTOR by Nicholas Solis and Renia Metallinou - a story about making connections

This book has lots of layers, so it's a great mentor text for writers and a great one to add to a primary class collection. 

 

Why read this book?

 I really loved the way this book showed the awkwardness a quiet person may feel when making friends or not having connections with other kids. I also enjoyed the way colour was used in this story, becoming more prevalent in the illustrations as the girl opened up and made a connection with a friend.

Summary from the publisher: 

The Color Collector is a poignant story about newness, friendship, and common ground. When a boy notices the new girl picking up all manner of debris and litter on their walks home from school he wants to know why. So she shows him the huge mural she's created in her room that reminds her of the home she left behind. He learns all about where she's come from and they both find how wonderful it is to make a new friend.

 

The Color Collector by Nicholas Solis & Renia Metallinou was published by Sleeping Bear Press in 2021

 

 My Thoughts as a Creator:

 

One of the things I admired most about this book was how colours were used so effectively to fit with the text – a great mentor text for illustrators. The opening of the book was especially effective with a slightly sad or lonely tone and very little colour. You could definitely see how the illustrator and author together both contributed to creating meaning in this story.

 

My Thoughts as an Educator:

 

This would be a great book for a primary teacher, because as you read there is a lot to discuss about making friends, feelings and how to make other people feel at ease. The illustrations and idea of collecting scraps of colour to create art is a fantastic opportunity for talking about re-using materials as well as showing an art style kids could try. This is a many-layered book so it can have several purposes – my favourite kind of classroom purchase!

 

Ages: 5-9

 

Grades: The publisher suggests grades 1 – 4, but I will read this to my kindergarten students.

 

Themes: friendship, feelings, found object art

 

Activities:

Writing: Think of a time when you felt unsure about something. Brainstorm some feeling words to describe how you felt. How could you help someone else who is feeling that way? Write one sentence to say how you could help.

 

Social-Emotional Learning Challenge: How do you usually make friends? Think of the things you have in common with a few of your friends. Now, challenge yourself to make a new friend! With a partner, talk for a couple of minutes and try to find something you both have in common.

 

Art: Try some Found Wrapper Art: Collect different kinds and colours of food and other product wrappers. What can you create using a collage technique? Add some drawn elements to your collage.

 

Additional Resources for Educators:

 

Here’s a link to some found object collage art with cereal boxes.

https://www.artbarblog.com/found-objects-collage/