3/5

I loved this book because it was so vibrant and full of beautiful illustration. This is such a positive story about self discovery and finding joy in the simple things in life. I'm excited to work with young children that still have so much love and optimism for aspects of life that adults take for granted. ( )

Summary: This book is about a girl that has that "brain thing" that makes her hear colors. One day she shouts "YELLOW!" when she drops her lunch and the whole school begins to make fun of her. The music teacher tells the class that she hears colors too and educates the kids on what it is. Then everybody stops making fun of her!
Opinion: This is an interesting condition that I hadn't heard much about previously. Its not so much a "disability" but I suppose it fits into the "diversity" category. This might be fun for kids to read just to learn about how some people hear colors. ( )

I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the colors on each page and everyday scenes. I liked how the book points out that sometimes you feel different but it can be a special gift. The biggest flaw in this book was the fact that the children laughed at her and the teacher didn’t seem to help. She called the parents but it never said that she hushed the children or talked with the girl.
This book begins with the little girl and how she loved the world with her 5 senses. The senses go though scenarios a child could relate to in their everyday life. Then, it says she loved “seeing the colors of everything she heard.” The little girl enjoys school until the other children began to laugh at her because of her special gift. Her parents took her to the doctor and he found nothing wrong. Then, during music class, the little girl meets the music teacher that hears colors too. As the music teacher explains what “synesthesia” was the other children began to all smile. She had found a new special sense. ( )

The story begins with a young Jillian who is teased at school for having special gifts. When a musician teaches that people who have synesthesia is an amazing and positive gift.
The book is short but extremely vital. We all have special gifts. It is important for we teachers to notice the gifts in our students and help encourage them in their gift.
An extension I would impliment here would be have the students pair up and students can write the strengths they see in each other on a paper . Next, have the students write about what they see in themselves.Then have each student review what was writen about them and compare the list with what they had wrote about themselves. Did tey say the same gifts? Hopefully the lsts will open each students eyes about what others see them to be. It is a great way to encourage the students in their own gifts. The second extention would be to have the students paint a self portrait of themselves. Showing their peers just how magnificent they see themselves. Some might even add a crown, wings, or a cape to help show theirspecial gifts .