Looking for an amazing family diversity story about a kiddo with “mixed” parents? This is a fabulous book for you!
If you’ve been following me for awhile, then you likely know this already. If not, listen up! What you will find often here on HEE – what I absolutely love and champion- are the stories I call #booksforbetter. These are the books that I value tremendously, the ones I turn to with my own boys and students again and again. These are the books that showcase the human capacity for respect, kindness and empathy, the ones that convey the beauty of embracing our differences and illustrate how we can harness these differences to create greatness. Do you like these books too? Thought so. This is why you must add Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung, to your home and school collections.
In Mixed, Chung tells the story of the three colors that started it all- red, yellow and blue. All were special and all lived harmoniously, until that fateful day a fight ensued among the colors and the they all retreated to separate parts of the city. There was no more interaction between the colors – ever. But one day, a yellow noticed a blue, and the two realized how happy and calm they made each other. Can you guess what happens next? You have to read it to find out, but let’s just say a new color, green, arises. Are you in love yet???
Books that speak to family diversity, discrimination, tolerance, and inclusiveness run the risk of being didactic and preachy. But when you are in the hands of a good writer, you feel none of this. Instead, you marvel at the brilliance and creativity inherent in the story and at the ways the author made a tough concept fresh, accessible, and fun. That’s how I feel about Mixed. What a unique, yet totally tangible idea this is – so perfect for speaking to children about prejudice and intolerance, the dangers of closed-mindedness, and the beauty of family diversity and alternative family structures! Mixed is relatable to all kids. It is age appropriate for nursery school but fantastic for older children as well- even for those of you doing #classroombookaday with your middle schoolers. Vibrant and oh so special, Mixed will spark lively discussion and personal growth. This is one you don’t want to miss.
RELATED: We’ve got all the best children’s books for you on Happily Ever Elephants, so be sure to check them out!
Want the book? Get it here! Mixed: A Colorful Story, by Arree Chung. *This is an affiliate link. HEE received an advanced review copy of this book from the publisher, but all opinions contained herein are expressly our own.
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