Mixed: A World of Colour
Author: Arree Chung
Illustrator: Arree Chung
Henry Holt and Co.
3 July 2018
40 pages
This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Top Tamale at Only Picture Books) and Florida-based author/illustrator Fred Koehler.
–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–
Arree Chung’s new picture book, Mixed, feels tailor-made for the discordant world of today. Three colors–Blues, Reds, and Yellows–all live together in relative peace and harmony, until one day, Reds quite suddenly declare that they’re the best. The Yellows respond: “No! We’re the BEST because we’re the brightest!” (The Blues? They’re “too cool” to even point out what is obvious to them–Blues are best!)
As a result, the colors segregate themselves to color-specific parts of the city. Then one day, a Yellow befriends a Blue. Before long, a new color emerges (Spoiler: Yellow + Blue = Green) and the world is full of new, exciting possibilities that create a sense of togetherness and belonging.
This sweet tale teaches readers about basic colors and how they mix to create new colors. But it also shares a non-didactic message of tolerance, understanding, and valuing differences that young people–and adults–can’t hear enough.
The simple, declarative sentences are potent and appropriate. Equally valuable, they’re of a level that most kids will be able to say aloud as the story is read and re-read. That participatory element is an important part of internalizing this powerful message.
This book is so charming and spot on that I’ll even overlook the bonus “u” in the title word “colors,” which I acknowledge is the standard spelling in pretty much every English-speaking country EXCEPT America. (If you have an issue with that, blame Noah Webster! I do!)
4.75 out of 5 pencils
–Fred’s Review of the Illustration–
Picture book artists often feel like we need to fill our pages with loads of detail to successfully tell a story. Just look at any book I’ve illustrated! 😂
The real magic happens when an artist becomes so good at their craft that they can tell MORE story with LESS detail. Some contemporary geniuses at this include folks like Greg Pizzoli, Debbie Ohi, Hervé Tullet, Oliver Jeffers, and, may I submit, Arree Chung.
Mixed isn’t just a hope-filled parable about the beauty of inter-chroma coupling. It’s an absolute masterclass in visual storytelling. I mean, how many variations can you have on a simple, colored dot anthropomorphized to have human(ish) qualities? Apparently dozens and dozens. The beauty of Chung’s work is in the consistent, fun, unexpected details that give life and personality to each of his characters.
As the story builds, so do the visual details, matching pace with the tension in the words. Then, unexpected things happen. And as you reach the penultimate scenes, you’ll be crying multicolored prisms of joy.
Aside from the visuals, my other favorite part is that by using colored dots as stand-ins for people, Chung has given us room to discuss important issues of race without the need to get defensive or point fingers. I recommend this book for all collections.
5 out of 5 crayons
Fred Koehler is an artist and storyteller whose real-life misadventures include sunken boats, covert border crossings, and fighting off robbers in the dead of night. Whether free diving in the Gulf of Mexico or backpacking across Africa, Fred’s sense of adventure and awe of nature overflow into his characters’ stories.
Between book projects, Fred also runs a highly-sought after design studio, helping brands across the US learn to tell their own stories.
Fred is passionate about encouraging young artists, promoting social justice, and conserving our environment. He lives in Florida with his wife, kids, and a rescue dog named Cheerio Mutt-Face McChubbybutt.