Vibrant colors and striking contrasts characterize an engaging concept book that invites child participation. “Lemons are not red,” reads the text on the opening page spread, which is washed in bright yellow brushstrokes. The visual focus of the page spread is the die-cut shape of a lemon on the right hand side. The color of the page beneath the die-cut is red, underscoring the text. Turn the die-cut page and the text reads, “Lemons are yellow, apples are red.” The lemon now appears yellow on the left, and a round red apple is the focus on the right. Each pair of page spreads works in the same way, pairing two colors and two objects that suggest some sort of relationship (flamingo and elephant, carrot and eggplant, grass and sky, reindeer and snowman, moon and night). Laura Vacarro Seeger’s deceptively simple book is a masterful blend of idea, design and execution. (Ages 2–6)

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.