Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly,
Shades of People
Holiday House, 2009.

Ages 2-5

When Sheila M. Kelly’s granddaughter Alexandra Lum explained to her grandmother that “people come in many shades, not colors, but shades” the idea for this picture book, a celebration of difference and similarity, was born.  Kelly, a mother, grandmother and a clinical psychologist with a specialization in working with young children and their parents, teamed up once again with the award-winning author and photo-illustrator Shelley Rotner to create Shades of People.  The pair has joined forces on picture books before, including Lots of Dads, Lots of Moms, Feeling Thankful, and About Twins.

Beautiful color photographs of young children of every shade interacting in numerous activities illustrate Kelly’s text, which describes the different shades: pink, rose, copper, coffee, cocoa, creamy ivory, sandy, peach, gold… and reminds us that “our skin is just covering, like wrapping paper. And you can’t tell what someone is like from the color of their skin.”  Friends and families of every shade are shown hugging, playing and having adventures at school, on the playground, at the beach, on the bus, and on city sidewalks.  Everyone is having a good time, and everyone seems happy to be exactly who they are.

This is a good book for the preschooler who has recognized differences in people and wonders what they mean or for kids who live in homogeneous environments and haven’t had much exposure to people of a wide range of shades.  The bright and engaging photographs of children their age will keep young children involved with the book whether or not a grown-up is reading it to them.  A great selection for library and preschool bookshelves, Shades of People celebrates the color of humanity in all its shades and combinations.

Abigail Sawyer
February 2010