What Does Brown Mean to You?

Rooted in appreciation of familial love, the natural world, and creativity, this rhyming day-in-the-life story of a young boy reads like a gentle embrace. Blocky unlined pencil and digital art in a cut-paper style appears against a white background as debut author-illustrator Grady introduces readers to the child and a dog: “Brown is the boy who/ welcomes the day./ Brown is the pup/ sleeping soundly away.” Continuing on, the kid heads into the kitchen, where a first-person narrative takes over: “Brown is my dad” making favorite pancakes, and “Brown are Gram’s coffee and/ Gramp’s morning kiss./ Brown is a lovely moment of bliss.” Self-determination prevails as the boy explores out of doors, where “brown is” soil, a cow, chicken eggs, trees, and “the best log for balancing.” Back home, images of making, sharing, and gratitude prove emblematic of the word, as the narrator paints, cooks, and dines with family before “getting down with/ my mom to James Brown.” It’s a simple, positive picture book affirmation that celebrates brown across ages, stages, and shades. All characters are portrayed with brown skin. Ages 3–7. Agent: Mary Cummings, Great River Literary. (Jan.)