Book Recommendation: “Lemons Are Not Red”

Our Lemon Blueberry Muffins (Egg-Free!) are vibrant with the colors of yellow and blue! With this recipe, we’re learning more about the colors of everyday things with an adorable picture book, Lemons Are Not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.

Em and I stumbled upon this book at the library several months ago and have checked it out several times since then. On each page, the author cleverly compares two objects using correct and incorrect colors. “Lemons are not red. Lemons are yellow. Apples are red.” Is the grass blue? Are flamingoes gray?

With color cutouts on each page, readers can actually see what a “red lemon” or “blue grass” would look like. Each page uses the same singsongy repetitive language, with different objects, so children can join in reading with you. After a few reads, Em was reading this book to me!

While you’re reading, pause before turning the page when each new object is introduced. Can you predict what the next page will say?  Ask your child, “We know lemons are not red. What color are they?” “Grass is not blue, what color is it?”

For older kids, you can challenge them to make another page for the book! What other objects can you compare using color? The sun? A blueberry? A pig? Grab some paper and crayons and draw your own new pages for the book.

Disclaimer: As with all of our activities, my suggestions for how kids can get involved are based on what has worked in our home.  Your child may be able to do more or less based on their age and/or ability.  As always, make sure you are properly supervising and engaging with kids that are participating in learning activities.