Jeffrey Loves Blue

By Loretta Garbutt, Lily Snowden-Fine (Illustrator)

A boy must choose between his favorite color and helping a friend.

3.7/5 Goodreads · 73 ratings

32 pages

$18.95Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Jeffrey loves everything blue, from his socks to his paintbrush. But when his classmate Keiko needs the blue paint, Jeffrey faces a tough choice. With gentle guidance, he learns to navigate his emotions and consider others' feelings. Will he step out of his comfort zone to help a friend? This heartwarming tale explores empathy, compromise, and the courage to try something new.

From the publisher

In art class, a boy finds the courage to leave his comfort zone, try something new, and do something nice for a friend Sometimes, Jeffrey fixates on certain likes and dislikes. For example, he is very attached to the colour blue. He wears blue socks, blue underwear, a blue hat, and–of course!–blue jeans. At painting class, he paints only in blue. But when his classmate, Keiko, wants to use the blue paint, Jeffrey will have to try a different color. With some gentle coaxing, the narrator helps him navigate his emotions, encouraging him to consider Keiko’s feelings. This story explores how something that seems simple for some people can be very complicated for others. Jeffrey’s caregiver provides choice, time, and space to help Jeffrey process his emotions. The focus of the story is not about getting rid of Jeffrey’s fixation–it’s about widening his perspective to help a friend, which encourages empathy and compromise. Delightfully simple and captivating illustrations contextualize Jeffrey’s experience, inviting readers into his thought processes as he works through his difficult decision.

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