The+Color+of+Us

__Bibliographical Data:__
 * The Color of Us ** By: Karen Katz [[image:the color of us.jpg width="311" height="388"]]
 * Title || The Colors of Us ||
 * Author || [|Karen Katz] ||
 * Illustrated by || Karen Katz ||
 * Edition || illustrated ||
 * Publisher || Macmillan, 1999 ||
 * ISBN || 0805058648, 9780805058642 ||
 * Audience || 3-7 ||
 * Language || English ||

__Summary:__ This book is about a 7-year-old girl named Lena. In the beginning of the book, she introduces her skin color as "cinnamon". As the book goes on, she introduces each of her friends as different names for their skin color. All of the names are some sort of positive color such as chocolate, honey, and even french toast. Each of her friends are different races and she wants to be able to color each of their skin types when she paints. Her mother tells her that everyone is a different shade of brown, all you have to do is add a few more colors to get just the right shade. At the end, Lena draws pictures of all of her friends with different skin colors and different names for their skin colors and states, "The color of us." __Book Review:__ This is a fantastic book to teach students about multiculturalism. It is a great idea to name each persons skin type in a positive way so that children don't discriminate against other peoples skin color. It shows them that every one should be treated equally no matter what shade of brown they are. Students will view others through a positive light when giving a positive name for skin colors. Author Bio __Literary Element Analysis:__ I would most definitely integrate the lesson from this book into a lesson to have students become more aware of multiculturalism. I would first read the book to the class and then discuss different names Lena came up with for her friends skin colors. I will then have each student identify and name their own skin color and then draw a portrait with their skin colored crayons. This will not only help the individual student to be proud of their own race but also to accept other races in their classroom. __Related Links:__ __Pictures and reviews of book__ media type="youtube" key="xy1Uc3_6OW8" height="315" width="420"