This book is brilliant. I’ve read some things saying this is good for young kids but too simplistic for adults. I feel the opposite. I think that most kids (if not poorly influenced by adults) already know (feel) what’s in this book. It’s some older people who might particularly benefit from it.

The word PANTONE in the captions used throughout is explained at the end of the book. My only gripe is that the “About this Book” section at the end of the book would have been better placed at the front. As I read/viewed I got the gist but not the details before reading the explanation as part of the extras contents in the back of the book. Also, understanding the varying number I did not find intuitive at all and do not understand why the numbers are as they are.

The book has a subtle but effective way of showing how “race” is just a human construct

There is a great art lesson in here too. The mirror and the color mixing directions got me interested in trying to find my own skin tone. I don’t have paints here at the moment though.

Reading the book aloud to classes and then having the kids (and adults) find their own skin tones by putting paints to paper would make a wonderful and meaningful art project.

The portraits and their backgrounds are wonderful. The concept is marvelous.

I love this photographer’s author’s project! I am glad that a bit of her biographical information is included in the back of the book.

Every library should have this book, as should every community center, treatment center, and I recommend this book for every child and for every family.

4-1/2 stars

Thanks to Goodreads friend Caroline’s (U.S. Caroline) review for persuading me to read this book. ( )

The Colors We Share was born from the author's thought-provoking Humanae project, which highlights how race is a social construct and that skin color is just that: color. We have placed values on skin color; it's neither intrinsically good nor intrinsically bad. It's merely another individual physical feature, on par with eye color or hair texture. This book is an absolute must for every child's book shelf and every elementary classroom.

Full review on Goodreads. ( )

review here ( )