Red is Best [Library Binding]

The toddler in Kathy Stinson's Red Is Best has a problem. As she explains on the opening page of this appealing picture book, "My mom doesn't understand about red." Red is Kelly's favourite, and yet her mother is forever trying to convince her to wear other colours. Her mother's reasons are uniformly practical--for example, "Your red mitts have holes in them"--but they fail to take into account the magical powers her pint-sized daughter knows her red things possess. Her brown mittens may be warmer, but "my red mitts make better snowballs." Similarly, Kelly's red stockings help her jump higher, her red boots take bigger steps, and her red pyjamas "keep the monsters away when I'm sleeping."

In Red Is Best, Kathy Stinson takes a simple idea--the clash between the imaginative world of the toddler and the commonsensical world of parents--and develops it with humour and feeling. The enduring popularity of this understated picture book (first published in 1982) is no doubt due to its avoidance of the saccharine language and contrived story lines of so many picture books for this age group. But it also lies in Stinson's understanding of the toddler mind and in illustrator Robin Baird Lewis's lighthearted depiction of the feisty Kelly (who could be a younger sister of that famous 1950s picture-book heroine Eloise). The conclusion to Red Is Best distils toddler logic perfectly. "I like red," Kelly says, "because red is best." (Ages 2 to 4) --Lisa Alward --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

A delightful little book to read with youngsters, who find themselves explaining similar things to their parents. (Lake County Parents 200701)

Delightful. (School Library Journal 201003)

No. 1, Top 32 Books You Should Read Before You Grow Up (Canadian Children's Book News )

No. 1, Top 32 Canadian Books for Children That You Should Read Before You Grow Up (Book News )

A modern classic that continues to prove no color is finer.

Young Kelly's mom doesn't understand about red. Sure, the brown mittens are warmer, but the red mitts make better snowballs. And the red boots aren't just for rain; they take bigger steps in any weather. And, yes, a red cup does make a difference... juice just doesn't taste as good in a green one. No doubt about it, red is best.

Kathy Stinson's classic tale of one toddler's obstinate color preference has been charming readers for 25 years. With over 275,000 copies in print, Red is Best has steadily marched its way to become a children's book classic. Now a new generation of readers can discover Stinson's insistent young heroine, aptly captured in the simple drawings of Robin Baird Lewis -- each one punctuated by the right dazzle of red.

With its plucky charm presented in a redesigned interior, and a special cover commemorating the book's 25th anniversary, the re-release of Red is Best is sure to be a red-letter day.

(201003)

Kathy Stinson is the best-selling author of more than 20 books for children and young adults. She lives outside Toronto.

Robin Baird Lewis is a former art teacher and an award-winning artist, illustrator and designer. Red is Best was her first picture book. She lives in Guelph, Ontario.